# Guigny

> commune in Pas-de-Calais, France

**Wikidata**: [Q869405](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q869405)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guigny)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/guigny

## Summary

Guigny is a commune located in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. Situated at coordinates 50.33°N latitude and 1.9986°E longitude, this small rural municipality falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the canton of Hesdin and the arrondissement of Montreuil. As a commune of France, Guigny represents one of the fundamental territorial subdivisions of the French Republic, serving as a local administrative unit within the country's decentralized governmental structure.

## Key Facts

- **Entity Type**: Commune in Pas-de-Calais, France
- **Wikipedia Title**: Guigny
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Pas-de-Calais, France
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 50.33°N, Longitude 1.9986°E
- **Administrative Hierarchy**: Part of Pas-de-Calais department (inception: March 4, 1790)
- **Canton**: Hesdin
- **Arrondissement**: Montreuil
- **Country**: France
- **Commune of France**: France territorial subdivision for municipalities (inception: 1789)
- **Sitelink Count**: 45
- **Population**: Historical figures include 174, 162, 154, 139, 137, 133, 130, 137, 143, and 149 residents across various census periods

## FAQs

**What region and department is Guigny located in?**

Guigny is located in the Pas-de-Calais department, which is situated in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. The department was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution as part of the initial division of France into departments.

**What is Guigny's administrative structure?**

Guigny is organized within the French administrative system as a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. It falls under the canton of Hesdin for electoral purposes and the arrondissement of Montreuil for administrative coordination. The commune system in France dates back to 1789, establishing local governance structures following the French Revolution.

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

Guigny is positioned at latitude 50.33°N and longitude 1.9986°E, placing it in the northern part of France near the English Channel coast. This location situates the commune within the Pas-de-Calais department, which is known for its proximity to the United Kingdom and its historical significance in cross-Channel relations.

**How is Guigny connected to the broader French administrative system?**

As a commune of France, Guigny is part of the fundamental territorial organization of the French Republic. France operates as a unitary state with decentralized administration, and communes represent the lowest level of territorial collectivity. Guigny is part of the department of Pas-de-Calais (department number 62), which itself is part of the Hauts-de-France region.

## Why It Matters

Guigny, while a small commune, represents an essential component of France's territorial organization and local governance structure. As one of the over 34,000 communes in France, it embodies the country's commitment to decentralized administration and local democracy. The commune system allows for proximity governance, enabling citizens to participate in local decision-making and ensuring that local needs are addressed by municipal authorities.

The significance of Guigny also lies in its location within Pas-de-Calais, a department with substantial historical, economic, and strategic importance in France. Pas-de-Calais has been a focal point of European history, particularly given its position on the English Channel and its role in various historical conflicts, including the Hundred Years' War and both World Wars. The department's proximity to the United Kingdom has made it a critical area for cross-Channel transport, trade, and diplomatic relations.

From an administrative perspective, Guigny's placement within the canton of Hesdin and the arrondissement of Montreuil connects it to regional coordination mechanisms that facilitate resource allocation, public service delivery, and inter-municipal cooperation. The arrondissement system, of which Montreuil is one of the administrative divisions in Pas-de-Calais, helps coordinate state services and implement national policies at the local level.

## Notable For

- **Administrative Classification**: Represents the fundamental unit of local government in France as a commune
- **Historical Department**: Located in Pas-de-Calais, a department with origins dating to the French Revolution (1790)
- **Regional Identity**: Part of the Hauts-de-France region, France's most populous northern region
- **Local Governance**: Operates under the French commune system established in 1789, providing local democratic representation
- **Territorial Organization**: Falls within the canton of Hesdin and arrondissement of Montreuil, demonstrating France's multi-layered administrative structure

## Body

### Geography and Location

Guigny is situated in the northern French department of Pas-de-Calais, which forms part of the Hauts-de-France region. The commune is positioned at coordinates 50.33°N latitude and 1.9986°E longitude, placing it in the western portion of the department relatively close to the Channel coast. This geographical positioning places Guigny within a region that has historically served as a crossroads between France and the British Isles.

The department of Pas-de-Calais encompasses a significant portion of the French coastline along the English Channel, making it strategically important for both defense and commerce. The terrain in this part of northern France is characterized by gentle rolling hills and agricultural land, with the commune of Guigny contributing to the rural character of the area.

### Administrative Structure

Guigny operates as a commune, which represents the lowest level of territorial organization in France. The French commune system traces its origins to the revolutionary period of 1789, when the monarchy was overthrown and France was reorganized into a rational, uniform administrative structure. Unlike many other countries where municipalities vary significantly in size and powers, French communes are relatively standardized in their organizational structure and legal powers.

The commune is part of the canton of Hesdin, which serves as an electoral district for elections to the Departmental Council. Cantons represent intermediate administrative units between communes and arrondissements, providing a framework for local representation and coordination of public services. The canton of Hesdin encompasses several municipalities in the western portion of Pas-de-Calais.

At the next level of administration, Guigny falls within the arrondissement of Montreuil. Arrondissements are administrative divisions within departments that help coordinate state services, particularly those related to justice, education, and infrastructure. The arrondissement of Montreuil serves as an administrative center for surrounding municipalities, facilitating the implementation of national and departmental policies at the local level.

### Historical Context

The department of Pas-de-Calais was created on March 4, 1790, during the early stages of the French Revolution. This period saw the abolition of the old provincial divisions of the Kingdom of France and their replacement with a rational system of departments, districts, and municipalities. The new administrative structure was designed to eliminate the historical privileges of provinces and regions, establishing equal treatment under the law across all of France.

Pas-de-Calais has played a significant role in French and European history. The department's location on the Channel coast made it a repeated target for foreign invasions, particularly from England (and later Great Britain). The region was the site of numerous battles during the Hundred Years' War, and it suffered heavily during both World Wars of the twentieth century, with the department being occupied by German forces in both conflicts.

### Population and Demographics

While specific population figures for Guigny vary across different census periods, the historical data indicates a population ranging from approximately 130 to 174 residents. These population figures are consistent with Guigny's classification as a small rural commune, a category that encompasses many of France's smallest municipalities. Small communes like Guigny are characteristic of the French rural landscape, where population density is often low and settlements are dispersed across agricultural territory.

The population trends in communes like Guigny reflect broader patterns in French rural demographics. Many small rural communes have experienced population decline as younger residents move to larger cities in search of education and employment opportunities. However, some small communes have also seen population stabilization or modest growth as remote workers and retirees seek affordable housing in rural areas.

### Relationship to National Structures

As a commune of France, Guigny is connected to the broader French state through multiple layers of administration. The commune operates under the authority of the municipal council, which is elected by local residents and headed by the mayor. The mayor serves as the chief executive of the commune, responsible for maintaining public order, managing municipal services, and representing the commune in dealings with other governmental entities.

At the departmental level, Guigny is connected to the general council of Pas-de-Calais, which manages matters affecting the entire department, including social welfare, road maintenance, and departmental infrastructure. The departmental structure allows for coordination across communes while respecting local autonomy.

The region of Hauts-de-France, created in 2016 through the merger of the former Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardie regions, provides another layer of regional coordination. The regional council manages matters requiring coordination across multiple departments, including economic development, transportation planning, and environmental protection.

### Significance Within the French System

Communes like Guigny represent the foundation of French local democracy and administrative organization. While small in population, these communes collectively form the backbone of French territorial administration. The commune system ensures that even the smallest settlements have a recognized legal status, local elected officials, and access to national public services.

The French approach to local government, with its system of communes, departments, and regions, reflects a balance between local autonomy and national coordination. Communes have significant powers in areas such as urban planning, local taxation, and maintenance of public spaces, while higher levels of government handle matters that require broader coordination.

Guigny's existence as a commune demonstrates the continuity of French administrative organization, which has evolved since the revolutionary period while maintaining its fundamental structure. This stability has allowed for consistent local governance across France, regardless of changes in national political leadership or policy direction.

## 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 2019
13. Populations légales 2020
14. Populations légales 2021
15. Populations de référence 2022
16. Populations de référence 2023
17. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
18. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
19. GeoNames
20. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
21. [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)
22. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)