# Espezel

> commune in Aude, France

**Wikidata**: [Q203826](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q203826)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espezel)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/espezel

## Summary
Espezel is a commune in the Aude department of southern France. It is a small rural municipality located within the administrative region of Occitanie.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Commune of France — a municipal territorial subdivision.
- **Location**: Aude department, in the Occitanie region of southern France.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 42.821666666667, Longitude 2.0213888888889.
- **Population Data (Historical)**: 196, 200, 201, 203, 204, 206, 208, 215, 217, 227, 228, 229, 231, 233, 238, 279, 334.
- **Image**: Photographed by Ji-Elle; available under public domain license.
- **Image URL**: [Espezel.JPG](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/Espezel.JPG)
- **Administrative Hierarchy**:
  - Part of the canton of Belcaire.
  - Located in the arrondissement of Limoux.
  - Within the department of Aude (established March 4, 1790).
- **Country**: France (République française).
- **Sitelink Count**: 42 (Wikipedia and other language versions).
- **Wikidata Description**: "commune in Aude, France".

## FAQs

**What is Espezel?**  
Espezel is a commune, a type of municipal subdivision in France. It is located in the Aude department in the southern region of Occitanie.

**Where is Espezel located?**  
Espezel is situated in the Aude department, which is part of the Occitanie administrative region in southern France. It falls under the arrondissement of Limoux and the canton of Belcaire.

**What is the population of Espezel?**  
Historical population data for Espezel includes values such as 196, 200, 201, 203, 204, 206, 208, 215, 217, 227, 228, 229, 231, 233, 238, 279, and 334, indicating fluctuations over time.

**What administrative divisions is Espezel part of?**  
Espezel is part of the canton of Belcaire, the arrondissement of Limoux, and the Aude department. It is classified as a commune, the smallest administrative unit in France.

**What is the geographic location of Espezel?**  
Espezel is located at latitude 42.821666666667 and longitude 2.0213888888889 in the Aude department of France.

**Who photographed the image of Espezel?**  
The image of Espezel was taken by Ji-Elle and is available under a public domain license.

## Why It Matters
Espezel represents a small but integral part of France’s decentralized administrative structure. As a commune, it plays a role in local governance, contributing to the cultural and demographic fabric of the Aude department. Its inclusion in regional and national datasets underscores its recognition within France’s municipal framework.

## Notable For
- **Geographic Precision**: Precise coordinates recorded (lat: 42.821666666667, lon: 2.0213888888889).
- **Administrative Nesting**: Nested within multiple levels of French governance — commune → canton → arrondissement → department → country.
- **Historical Population Records**: Multiple population data points preserved, indicating demographic tracking over time.
- **Public Domain Imagery**: Features a freely usable image by photographer Ji-Elle.
- **Wikidata Recognition**: Recognized in Wikidata with a dedicated entry and 42 sitelinks.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Espezel is a commune located in the Aude department of southern France. The commune lies within the arrondissement of Limoux and is part of the canton of Belcaire. Its precise geographic coordinates are:
- Latitude: 42.821666666667
- Longitude: 2.0213888888889

These coordinates place Espezel in the broader Occitanie region, which is known for its historical and cultural significance in southern France.

### Administrative Context
As a commune of France, Espezel is part of the country’s municipal structure established in 1789. It is nested within the following administrative divisions:
- **Canton**: Belcaire — a local government subdivision.
- **Arrondissement**: Limoux — an intermediate administrative division within the department.
- **Department**: Aude — established on March 4, 1790.
- **Country**: France — a semi-presidential republic with global influence.

This layered structure situates Espezel within the broader French administrative hierarchy, from local to national governance.

### Demographics and Population
Historical population data for Espezel includes the following values:
196, 200, 201, 203, 204, 206, 208, 215, 217, 227, 228, 229, 231, 233, 238, 279, 334.

These figures reflect changes in population over time, offering insight into the commune’s demographic trends. As a small rural commune, Espezel’s population is modest but contributes to the overall count of inhabitants in the Aude department.

### Cultural and Visual Representation
Espezel is visually documented through a public domain image taken by Ji-Elle:
- **Image URL**: [Espezel.JPG](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/Espezel.JPG)
- **License**: Public domain
- **Artist**: Ji-Elle

This image contributes to the visual documentation of French communes and is accessible for public use.

### Digital Presence and Recognition
Espezel is recognized in Wikidata with:
- **Wikidata Description**: "commune in Aude, France"
- **Sitelink Count**: 42 — indicating presence across multiple language versions of Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects.

This recognition underscores its formal inclusion in structured knowledge systems and reflects its status as a documented entity within the French municipal framework.

### Related Entities and Context
- **Aude Department**: Established on March 4, 1790, Aude is part of the Occitanie region.
- **Arrondissement of Limoux**: An administrative division within Aude.
- **Canton of Belcaire**: A local subdivision within the arrondissement.
- **France**: The overarching nation-state, with a rich administrative and historical background.

These connections situate Espezel within a well-defined administrative and geographic context, linking it to regional and national structures.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
3. INSEE code
4. OpenStreetMap
5. répertoire géographique des communes
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Annuaire de service-public.fr
8. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
9. Populations légales 2016
10. Populations légales 2017
11. Populations légales 2018
12. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
13. Populations légales 2019
14. Populations légales 2020
15. Populations légales 2021
16. Populations de référence 2022
17. Populations de référence 2023
18. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
19. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
20. GeoNames
21. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
22. [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)
23. [Code officiel géographique. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
24. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)