# Gorges

> commune in Somme, France

**Wikidata**: [Q157340](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q157340)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorges,_Somme)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gorges-q157340-2

## Summary

Gorges is a commune located in the Somme department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. It is situated in the arrondissement of Amiens and was historically part of the canton of Bernaville until March 2015. The commune sits at coordinates 50.110555555556°N latitude and 2.1775°E longitude.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: Gorges
- **Department**: Somme (inception: March 4, 1790)
- **Region**: Hauts-de-France
- **Arrondissement**: Amiens
- **Historical Canton**: Bernaville (until March 2015)
- **Country**: France
- **Coordinates**: 50.110555555556°N, 2.1775°E
- **Population**: 38-42 residents (varying across census years)
- **Classification**: Commune of France (communal status established: 1789)
- **Wikipedia Title**: Gorges, Somme
- **Sitelink Count**: 43

## FAQs

**What type of administrative area is Gorges?**

Gorges is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. The commune as an administrative unit was established in France in 1789.

**Which department and region is Gorges located in?**

Gorges is located in the Somme department, which was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. It belongs to the Hauts-de-France region in northern France.

**What arrondissement does Gorges belong to?**

Gorges is part of the arrondissement of Amiens, which is one of the administrative divisions within the Somme department.

**What was the historical administrative affiliation of Gorges?**

Until March 2015, Gorges was part of the canton of Bernaville. Administrative reorganizations in France led to changes in cantonal boundaries and groupings.

**What are the geographical coordinates of Gorges?**

Gorges is located at latitude 50.110555555556 degrees north and longitude 2.1775 degrees east.

## Why It Matters

Gorges represents the small communal structure that forms the backbone of French territorial administration. As one of the approximately 34,000 communes in France, Gorges embodies the French concept of municipal governance, where local communities maintain their own identity while being integrated into larger departmental and regional structures. The commune system in France, dating back to 1789, is notable for its democratic local governance, and Gorges participates in this centuries-old tradition of municipal organization. Though small in population, such communes are essential to understanding France's decentralized administrative structure and the relationship between local communities and national governance.

## Notable For

- **Historical Administrative Status**: Part of the canton of Bernaville until the 2015 French cantonal reorganizations
- **Departmental Heritage**: Located in Somme, a department with significant historical importance dating from the French Revolution
- **Coordinate Location**: Situated in northern France at approximately 50.11°N latitude
- **Communal Status**: Operates under the French commune system established in 1789

## Body

### Geography and Location

Gorges is positioned in the Somme department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. The commune's geographical coordinates are 50.110555555556°N latitude and 2.1775°E longitude, placing it in the northern part of France near the border with the Somme river region. The area is characterized by the typical terrain of Picardy, the historical name for this region.

### Administrative Structure

Gorges operates as a commune, which is the fundamental territorial collectivity in France. The French commune system was established in 1789 during the French Revolution, replacing the previous system of parishes and jurisdictions. As a commune, Gorges functions as a municipal corporation with its own local government, though the specific details of local administration would be managed at the municipal level.

Historically, until March 2015, Gorges was part of the canton of Bernaville. Cantons in France serve as electoral districts for elections to the General Council (Conseil Départemental) and also have some administrative functions. The reorganization of cantons in 2015, following the French territorial administration law, led to changes in which communes belong to which cantons.

### Departmental Context

Gorges belongs to the Somme department, which was created on March 4, 1790, during the early stages of the French Revolution. The department is named after the Somme River that flows through it. The Somme department is part of the Hauts-de-France region, which is the most populous region in northern France.

Within the departmental structure, Gorges is part of the arrondissement of Amiens. The arrondissement is an administrative division that serves as a sub-prefectural area, with Amiens being the prefecture (capital) of the Somme department.

### Population and Demographics

Gorges is a small commune with a population ranging between 38 and 42 residents across various census years. This population size is consistent with many rural communes in the Somme department, where population density is lower than in urban areas. The population figures demonstrate the commune's small-scale, rural character within the French municipal system.

### Historical Context

The commune of Gorges exists within the context of French territorial organization that evolved from the revolutionary period onward. The establishment of communes in 1789 marked a significant decentralization in French administration, creating local democratic units. The Somme department's creation in 1790 placed Gorges within this new departmental structure that replaced the old provincial divisions.

The canton system, which included Bernaville until 2015, developed as an intermediate level of administration between the commune and the department. The 2015 reforms restructured these cantonal boundaries to better represent population distributions and improve administrative efficiency.

### Relationship to French Administrative System

As a French commune, Gorges is part of a unique administrative system that distinguishes France from many other nations. The French commune system is the oldest form of local government in France and one of the oldest in Europe. Despite their small size, communes like Gorges possess significant legal personality and powers, including the ability to levy local taxes, manage local services, and maintain local infrastructure.

The commune falls under the broader hierarchy of French territorial organization: commune → arrondissement → department → region. This nested structure allows for both local autonomy and coordination at higher administrative levels. Gorges participates in this system through its representation in the arrondissement of Amiens and the department of Somme.

## References

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