# Espéraza

> commune in Aude, France

**Wikidata**: [Q609690](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q609690)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espéraza)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/esp-raza

## Summary
Espéraza is a commune located in the Aude department within the Occitanie region of Southwestern France. It is notably home to the Dinosauria museum, a specialized institution dedicated to dinosaurs that opened in 1992. The town serves as a specific administrative subdivision within the French territorial structure, historically linked to the canton of Quillan.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France.
- **Location**: Aude department, France (coordinates: 42.93527777777778° N, 2.2205555555555554° E).
- **Administrative Hierarchy**: Part of the arrondissement of Limoux; formerly part of the canton of Quillan (until March 2015).
- **Population History**: Recorded populations include 2,002 (most recent), 1,946, 1,960, 1,870, 1,800, 2,766, 2,529, 2,512, 2,250, 2,129, 2,174, 2,088, 1,729, 1,712, 1,703, 1,695, and 1,774.
- **Key Landmark**: Dinosauria museum, established in 1992.
- **Transport Infrastructure**: Home to Gare d'Espéraza, a railway station.
- **Digital Presence**: Official website at http://www.esperaza.fr.
- **Wikidata Metrics**: 45 sitelinks; Wikipedia title "Espéraza".
- **Country Context**: Located in France, a country with origins tracing back to the Treaty of Verdun (843) and the First French Empire (1804).

## FAQs
**Where exactly is Espéraza situated within France?**
Espéraza is located in the Aude department in the South West of France. It falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Limoux and is geographically positioned at latitude 42.93527777777778 and longitude 2.2205555555555554.

**What is the historical administrative status of the canton of Quillan regarding Espéraza?**
The canton of Quillan was the administrative division that included Espéraza until March 2015. Since that date, the commune has been part of a reorganized administrative structure, though it remains within the Aude department.

**What major cultural attraction defines the town of Espéraza?**
The town is defined by the Dinosauria museum, which was founded in 1992. This institution is specifically devoted to the study and display of dinosaurs and is a primary point of interest for the commune.

**How has the population of Espéraza fluctuated over time?**
The population has varied significantly across recorded census years, ranging from a low of 1,695 to a high of 2,766. Specific recorded figures include 2,002, 1,946, 1,960, 1,870, 1,800, 2,529, 2,512, 2,250, 2,129, 2,174, 2,088, 1,729, 1,712, 1,703, and 1,774.

## Why It Matters
Espéraza matters as a specific node in the French administrative network that hosts a unique scientific and cultural resource. While it is a small commune, its significance is amplified by the presence of the Dinosauria museum, which contributes to the region's educational and tourism landscape. The town's history reflects the broader administrative evolution of France, specifically the 2015 reorganization of cantons that dissolved the canton of Quillan. As a commune with a railway station and a documented population history spanning centuries, it represents the continuity of rural French life and infrastructure.

## Notable For
- **Dinosauria Museum**: Hosts a dedicated museum for dinosaurs established in 1992.
- **Administrative Transition**: Formerly part of the canton of Quillan until the March 2015 reorganization.
- **Railway Connectivity**: Served by the Gare d'Espéraza railway station.
- **Population Variance**: Exhibits a wide historical population range, peaking at 2,766 and dipping to 1,695 in recorded data.
- **Geographic Specificity**: Precisely located at 42.93527777777778° N, 2.2205555555555554° E within the Aude department.
- **Digital Accessibility**: Maintains an official web presence at http://www.esperaza.fr.

## Body
### Geography and Administration
Espéraza is a commune situated in the Aude department of France. Its precise geographic coordinates are latitude 42.93527777777778 and longitude 2.2205555555555554. Administratively, it belongs to the arrondissement of Limoux. Historically, the commune was part of the canton of Quillan, a division that existed until March 2015. As a commune, it is a territorial subdivision of France, a status established in 1789. The entity is linked to the country of France, which spans Western Europe and overseas territories.

### Demographics and Population History
The population of Espéraza has been recorded at various points in history, showing significant fluctuation. The dataset includes the following population counts: 2,002, 1,946, 1,960, 1,870, 1,800, 2,766, 2,529, 2,512, 2,250, 2,129, 2,174, 2,088, 1,729, 1,712, 1,703, 1,695, and 1,774. The highest recorded figure in this set is 2,766, while the lowest is 1,695. These figures reflect the demographic changes within the commune over time.

### Cultural and Educational Institutions
A defining feature of Espéraza is the Dinosauria museum. This institution was founded in 1992 and is dedicated to dinosaurs. It serves as a key cultural asset for the commune and the Aude department. The museum's inception date is recorded as 1992-00-00. It is one of the primary reasons the commune is noted in regional contexts.

### Infrastructure and Connectivity
The commune is connected to the national transport network via the Gare d'Espéraza. This railway station serves the town, facilitating travel and commerce. The existence of this station highlights the town's integration into the French rail system. Additionally, the commune maintains a digital presence through its official website, http://www.esperaza.fr.

### Contextual Relationships
Espéraza is intrinsically linked to the broader French state. France, the country in which Espéraza resides, has a complex history including the Treaty of Verdun in 843 and the First French Empire in 1804. The commune is part of the Aude department, which was established on March 4, 1790. It is also associated with the arrondissement of Limoux. The entity has a significant digital footprint, with 45 sitelinks on Wikipedia and a description identifying it as a "commune in Aude, France." The canton of Quillan, which included Espéraza, had 14 sitelinks before its dissolution in 2015.

## References

1. Sandre
2. [Source](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/Y1--0200)
3. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/Y1--0200)
4. BnF authorities
5. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
6. INSEE code
7. répertoire géographique des communes
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Annuaire de service-public.fr
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 communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
15. Populations légales 2019
16. Populations légales 2020
17. Populations légales 2021
18. Populations de référence 2022
19. Populations de référence 2023
20. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
21. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
22. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
23. GeoNames
24. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
25. [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)
26. [Code officiel géographique. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
27. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)