# Firfol

> commune in Calvados, France

**Wikidata**: [Q740480](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q740480)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firfol)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/firfol

## Summary
Firfol is a commune located in the Calvados department of the Normandy region in France. It is situated within the arrondissement of Lisieux and was formerly part of the canton of Lisieux-1 until March 2015. As a French territorial subdivision, it operates under the administrative framework of the French Republic.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Commune of France (French territorial subdivision for municipalities).
- **Location**: Calvados department, arrondissement of Lisieux.
- **Former Administrative Division**: Canton of Lisieux-1 (until March 2015).
- **Country**: France (Official Name: République française).
- **Coordinates**: 49.153888888889°N, 0.32055555555556°E.
- **Population Data**: 446, 428, 435, 414, 405, 206, 281, 343, 382, 433, 432, 450, 398, 387, 377, 367, 366.
- **Inception (Commune of France)**: 1789.
- **Inception (Calvados Department)**: March 4, 1790.
- **National Capital**: Paris.
- **National Population**: 68,605,616 (2025 estimate).
- **National Area**: 643,801 square kilometres.
- **Government Type**: Semi-presidential republic.
- **Head of State**: Emmanuel Macron.
- **Head of Government**: Sébastien Lecornu.
- **Currency**: Euro (EUR) in metropolitan France; CFP Franc in overseas territories.
- **Official Language**: French.
- **Driving Side**: Right.
- **Electricity**: 230 volts, 50 Hz; plugs: Europlug, Type E.
- **Time Zone**: UTC+01:00 (CET), UTC+02:00 (CEST).
- **Internet TLD**: .fr.
- **ISO Codes**: FR (Alpha-2), FRA (Alpha-3), 250 (Numeric).
- **Image**: "BouetGeorges-FraNormandieFirfolPrieure-StatMonum1867.jpg" by Georges Bouet (Public Domain).

## FAQs
**Where is Firfol located?**
Firfol is a commune situated in the Calvados department in the north-west of France. It falls within the arrondissement of Lisieux and was historically part of the canton of Lisieux-1 until March 2015.

**What is the population of Firfol?**
Recorded population figures for Firfol include 446, 428, 435, 414, 405, 206, 281, 343, 382, 433, 432, 450, 398, 387, 377, 367, and 366.

**What country is Firfol in, and what are its national characteristics?**
Firfol is located in France, a semi-presidential republic and unitary state in Western Europe. France is a founding member of the European Union and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, with a population of approximately 68.6 million.

**What are the administrative divisions surrounding Firfol?**
Firfol is part of the Calvados department, which was established on March 4, 1790. It is located in the arrondissement of Lisieux and was previously associated with the canton of Lisieux-1.

**What technical standards apply in Firfol?**
As part of France, Firfol uses the Euro as currency, drives on the right-hand side of the road, and utilizes an electrical grid of 230 volts at 50 Hz with Europlug and Type E plugs. The time zone observed is Central European Time (UTC+01:00).

## Why It Matters
Firfol matters as a distinct administrative and territorial unit within the Calvados department, contributing to the local governance and demographic structure of the Normandy region. Its existence as a commune dates back to the inception of French territorial subdivisions in 1789, placing it within a historical continuum of local government that survived the transition from the Kingdom of France to the First French Empire and the subsequent republics.

Situated within France, Firfol benefits from and participates in the infrastructure of a major global power. France's status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, a nuclear-armed state, and a central hub in the European Union provides the region with significant political stability and economic influence. The commune is part of a nation that possesses the second-largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the world due to its overseas territories, highlighting the extensive geopolitical context in which this small locality operates.

Culturally, the area is documented through historical works, such as the depiction of the local priory by artist Georges Bouet in 1867. This visual record ties Firfol to the broader artistic and heritage preservation efforts of France, a country renowned for its contributions to art and history. The commune's integration into the high-standard French infrastructure—including healthcare, education, and transport systems—ensures a high quality of life consistent with the country's "Very High" Human Development Index ranking.

## Notable For
- **Administrative History**: Formerly part of the canton of Lisieux-1 until the French canton reorganization effective March 2015.
- **Historical Documentation**: Featured in the artwork "BouetGeorges-FraNormandieFirfolPrieure-StatMonum1867.jpg" by Georges Bouet, held in the public domain.
- **Geographic Specificity**: Defined by precise coordinates of 49.153888888889°N latitude and 0.32055555555556°E longitude.
- **National Context**: Located in Calvados, a department with 104 sitelinks and significant historical presence since 1790.
- **Demographic Data**: Possesses a specific set of historical population counts ranging from 206 to 450.

## Body

### Geography and Territory
Firfol is a commune defined by the geographic coordinates 49.153888888889°N latitude and 0.32055555555556°E longitude. It is located within the arrondissement of Lisieux and the Calvados department. The Calvados department itself was established on March 4, 1790, and is part of metropolitan France.

The broader national territory of France, in which Firfol is situated, encompasses a total area of 643,801 square kilometres. Metropolitan France shares borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain, and Andorra. It is bordered by the English Channel, the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. The highest point in the country is Mont Blanc at 4,808.72 meters, while the lowest point is Étang de Lavalduc at -10 meters. The geographic center of France is approximately at coordinates 47°N 2°E.

Beyond Europe, France possesses numerous overseas territories, placing it on four other continents. In the Americas, these territories include French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, and Saint Pierre and Miquelon. In Africa, they include Mayotte, Réunion, and the Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean. In Oceania, the territories include French Polynesia, New Caledonia, and Wallis and Futuna. France also claims Adélie Land in Antarctica.

### Administration and Politics
As a commune, Firfol is a territorial subdivision for municipalities within France, a category that has existed since 1789. It is administered under the umbrella of the Calvados department and the arrondissement of Lisieux. Until March 2015, it was specifically associated with the canton of Lisieux-1.

France operates as a unitary semi-presidential republic with a decentralized administration. The current constitution was established on October 4, 1958, founding the Fifth Republic. The executive branch consists of the President of the Republic, currently Emmanuel Macron, and the Prime Minister, currently Sébastien Lecornu. The President is elected directly and serves as the head of state, while the Prime Minister is appointed by the President to serve as the head of government.

The legislative branch is bicameral, composed of the French Parliament, which includes the National Assembly (lower house) and the Senate (upper house). The judiciary is headed by the Court of Cassation for civil and criminal matters, the Council of State for administrative cases, and the Constitutional Council for constitutional review. The country is divided into 18 administrative regions, including 12 in metropolitan France and 6 overseas.

### Demographics and Society
Firfol has recorded various population figures over time, specifically: 446, 428, 435, 414, 405, 206, 281, 343, 382, 433, 432, 450, 398, 387, 377, 367, and 366.

Within the wider context of France, the national population is estimated at 68,605,616 as of January 1, 2025. The society is highly urbanized, with an urban population of approximately 55.4 million in 2022 compared to a rural population of 12.5 million. The life expectancy at birth is 82 years (2022). The birth rate is 10.6 per 1,000 people, and the death rate is 9.8 per 1,000 people (2022).

The official language is French, though regional languages such as Basque, Occitan, Catalan, Breton, and Alsatian are also recognized. The age of majority is 18, and the marriageable age is 18 for all genders. Compulsory education is required for children between the ages of 6 and 16. The retirement age is set at 62 years, with a full rate available at 67 years.

### Economy and Infrastructure
France has a mixed economy with a nominal GDP of $2.78 trillion USD as of 2022. The government budget for 2023 was €455.2 billion. The standard VAT rate is 20%, with reduced rates of 10% and 5.5%, and a specific rate of 2.1% for medication. The median income is approximately $30,364 USD.

The currency is the Euro (€), which replaced the French franc in 1999. In overseas territories like New Caledonia, French Polynesia, and Wallis and Futuna, the CFP Franc is used. The central bank is the Bank of France. Public debt stood at 117.4% of GDP as of the third quarter of 2025.

Infrastructure standards in Firfol align with national norms. France operates on Central European Time (UTC+01:00) and observes Central European Summer Time (UTC+02:00). The country drives on the right-hand side of the road. Speed limits are set at 130 km/h on controlled-access highways (110 km/h in bad weather), 110 km/h on dual carriageways, 90 km/h on other roads, and 50 km/h in built-up areas. The electrical grid supplies 230 volts at 50 Hz using Europlug and Type E plugs.

The international calling code is +33, and the top-level internet domain is .fr. The ISO codes are FR (Alpha-2), FRA (Alpha-3), and 250 (Numeric).

### Culture and History
Firfol possesses cultural heritage documented by the artwork "BouetGeorges-FraNormandieFirfolPrieure-StatMonum1867.jpg," created by Georges Bouet. This image, held in the public domain, depicts the local priory and serves as a historical record of the commune's architecture.

The national symbols of France include the tricolore flag (blue, white, red), the motto "Liberté, égalité, fraternité" (Liberty, equality, fraternity), and the national anthem "La Marseillaise." The coat of arms of the French Republic is used de facto, and the Great Seal of France is used for official state documents.

Public holidays observed in the region include New Year's Day (January 1), Easter Monday, International Workers' Day (May 1), Victory in Europe Day (May 8), Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Bastille Day (July 14), Assumption of Mary (August 15), All Saints' Day (November 1), Armistice Day (November 11), and Christmas (December 25).

Historically, the origins of the French state trace back to the Treaty of Verdun in 843, which established West Francia. The First French Empire was proclaimed in 1804. France replaced the Kingdom of France and has undergone several regime changes, including the Vichy France regime during World War II, before establishing the Fifth Republic.

### International Relations
As part of France, Firfol falls under the jurisdiction of a key player in international organizations. France is a founding member of the European Union (1957) and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (1945). It is also a member of NATO (1949), the G7, the G20, the World Trade Organization, the Schengen Area, and the Council of Europe. France possesses nuclear weapons, a status attained in 1960.

The country maintains diplomatic relations with nations worldwide, including the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Germany. It shares land borders with eight European countries and Brazil and Suriname via French Guiana, as well as a maritime border with the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
3. INSEE code
4. [Source](https://archives.calvados.fr/classificationScheme/11d99609-7d05-4864-9e3e-7f744d9c2753)
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. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)