# Douchy-les-Mines

> commune in Nord, France

**Wikidata**: [Q922518](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q922518)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douchy-les-Mines)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/douchy-les-mines

## Summary
Douchy-les-Mines is a commune located in the Nord department of the Hauts-de-France region in northern France. It is historically defined by its mining heritage, notably featuring the Fosse Boca des mines de Douchy (A) site, and is administratively linked to the former canton of Denain and the arrondissement of Valenciennes.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France (territorial subdivision for municipalities).
- **Location**: Nord department, Hauts-de-France region, France.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 50.301388888889, Longitude 3.3933333333333.
- **Administrative Hierarchy**: Part of the arrondissement of Valenciennes; formerly part of the canton of Denain.
- **Population Data**: Recorded figures include 10,964, 10,783, 10,765, 10,558, 10,311, 10,293, 10,144, 10,207, 10,112, and 10,109.
- **Historical Recognition**: Awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (French military decoration established April 2, 1915).
- **Digital Presence**: Official website at http://douchy-les-mines.com/.
- **Media Assets**: Primary image depicts "Fosse Boca des mines de Douchy (A)" by artist Jérémy Jännick; licensed under Public Domain.
- **Wikidata Metrics**: Sitelink count of 45; Wikipedia title is "Douchy-les-Mines".
- **National Context**: Located in France, a country with inception dates tracing to West Francia (843), Francia (481), and the First French Empire (1804).

## FAQs
**What is the administrative status of Douchy-les-Mines within France?**
Douchy-les-Mines functions as a commune, which is the lowest level of administrative division in France. It is situated within the Nord department and falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Valenciennes.

**What historical military honor has the commune received?**
The commune was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration created on April 2, 1915, to recognize acts of bravery during World War I.

**Where can one find visual documentation of the commune's mining history?**
Visual records are available through Wikimedia Commons, specifically featuring the "Fosse Boca des mines de Douchy (A)" site. These images, captured by Jérémy Jännick, are in the public domain and depict the former mining infrastructure.

**How has the population of Douchy-les-Mines fluctuated over time?**
The commune has recorded a series of population counts ranging from a high of 10,964 down to 10,109 across various census periods. These figures reflect demographic shifts within the community over the recorded timeline.

## Why It Matters
Douchy-les-Mines serves as a tangible example of France's industrial and mining history, specifically within the Nord department's coal basin. Its recognition with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 highlights its contribution and sacrifice during the First World War, embedding it in the national narrative of French resilience. The preservation of sites like Fosse Boca des mines de Douchy (A) provides critical insight into the region's economic transformation from an industrial powerhouse to a modern commune. As part of the broader French administrative structure, it illustrates the decentralized organization of the country's 18 regions and numerous departments.

## Notable For
- **Mining Heritage**: Home to the Fosse Boca des mines de Douchy (A), a significant site representing the region's coal mining past.
- **Military Distinction**: Recipient of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for valor during World War I.
- **Administrative History**: Formerly served as part of the canton of Denain before administrative reorganizations.
- **Geographic Specificity**: Located at precise coordinates (50.301388888889° N, 3.3933333333333° E) in the Nord department.
- **Demographic Stability**: Maintains a population consistently hovering around the 10,000 mark based on recorded census data.
- **Digital Archiving**: Features a dedicated official website and high-quality public domain imagery on Wikimedia Commons.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Douchy-les-Mines is a commune situated in the Nord department of France, which is part of the Hauts-de-France region. The Nord department itself was established on March 4, 1790, and is one of the original departments created during the French Revolution. The commune falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Valenciennes. Historically, it was associated with the canton of Denain, a former canton of France. The geographic center of the commune is located at latitude 50.301388888889 and longitude 3.3933333333333. This location places it firmly within the northern industrial heartland of France.

### Demographics and Population Trends
The population of Douchy-les-Mines has been tracked through multiple census periods, showing a range of figures. Recorded population counts include 10,964, 10,783, 10,765, 10,558, 10,311, 10,293, 10,144, 10,207, 10,112, and 10,109. These numbers indicate a community that has maintained a population size generally between 10,000 and 11,000 residents. As a commune, it represents the fundamental unit of local government in France, established as a territorial subdivision for municipalities in 1789.

### Historical Significance and Military Recognition
The commune holds historical significance due to its recognition during the First World War. It was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915. This award is a testament to the bravery of its inhabitants or the strategic importance of the location during the conflict. The decoration is a national symbol of France, which traces its statehood origins to the Treaty of Verdun in 843 AD (establishing West Francia) and later the First French Empire in 1804.

### Industrial Heritage and Visual Documentation
A defining feature of Douchy-les-Mines is its connection to the coal mining industry. The site known as "Fosse Boca des mines de Douchy (A)" stands as a physical reminder of this industrial era. This site has been documented through photography by Jérémy Jännick. The resulting images are hosted on Wikimedia Commons and are licensed under the Public Domain, allowing for unrestricted use and distribution. These visual records serve as an archive of the commune's industrial past and its architectural heritage.

### Digital Presence and Data
The commune maintains an official online presence through its website, located at http://douchy-les-mines.com/. In the digital knowledge ecosystem, Douchy-les-Mines is represented with a sitelink count of 45, indicating its presence across various language versions of Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects. The primary Wikipedia title for the entity is "Douchy-les-Mines." The entity is classified as a "commune in Nord, France" in Wikidata descriptions, linking it to the broader context of the French Republic.

## References

1. [Douchy les Mines. Les municipales, son bilan, le RN, la mosquée salafiste : le maire Michel Véniat se confie. L'Observateur du Valenciennois. 2019](https://www.lobservateur.fr/valenciennois/valenciennes/2019/10/04/douchy-les-mines-les-municipales-son-bilan-le-rn-la-mosquee-salafiste-le-maire-michel-veniat-se-confie/)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
5. INSEE code
6. répertoire géographique des communes
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Annuaire de service-public.fr
9. MusicBrainz
10. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
11. Populations légales 2016
12. Populations légales 2017
13. Populations légales 2018
14. Populations légales 2019
15. Populations légales 2020
16. Populations légales 2021
17. Populations de référence 2022
18. Populations de référence 2023
19. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
20. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
21. GeoNames
22. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
23. [2016](https://data.geopf.fr/telechargement/download/GEOFLA/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28.7z)
24. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
25. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
26. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File