# Happencourt

> commune in Aisne, France

**Wikidata**: [Q846302](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q846302)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happencourt)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/happencourt

## Summary
Happencourt is a small commune located in the Aisne department of northern France. It falls within the arrondissement of Saint‑Quentin and the canton of Saint‑Simon (prior to the 2015 reorganisation). The village sits at 49.78° N, 3.19° E and has a population that has hovered around 150 residents in recent years.

## Key Facts
- Happencourt is a **commune** in the **Aisne** department, part of the **Nord‑Picardie** region of France.  
- It lies within the **arrondissement of Saint‑Quentin** and, before March 2015, the **canton of Saint‑Simon**.  
- Geographic coordinates are **49.777777777778 N, 3.1872222222222 E**.  
- The commune’s population has ranged from **133** to **201** residents in recent decades (e.g., 133 in one census, 201 in another).  
- The official **wikipedia title** for the entry is *Happencourt*, and its **Wikidata description** is “commune in Aisne, France”.  
- The commune has **48 sitelinks** on Wikidata, indicating connections to 48 other entities or pages.  
- It is part of the **department of Aisne**, which was established on **4 March 1790** during the French Revolution.  
- The commune is situated in **France**, a country founded in **843 AD** (Treaty of Verdun) and later reconstituted as the First French Empire in **1804**.  
- France is a **semi‑presidential republic** with a bicameral legislature, a president (currently Emmanuel Macron), and a prime minister (currently Sébastien Lecornu).  
- The country’s official language is **French**, and it uses the **Euro (€)** as its currency in metropolitan France.  
- France’s ISO codes are **FR** (alpha‑2), **FRA** (alpha‑3), and **250** (numeric).  
- The country’s **population** is approximately **68.6 million** (2025 estimate).  
- France’s **area** is **643,801 km²**, with its highest point at **Mont Blanc (4,808.72 m)** and lowest at **Étang de Lavalduc (−10 m)**.  
- France’s **capital** is **Paris**.  
- The country’s **head of state** is President Emmanuel Macron; the **head of government** is Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.  
- France is a founding member of the **European Union** (1957) and a permanent member of the **United Nations Security Council** (1945).  
- France possesses **nuclear weapons** (since 1960) and is a member of **NATO** (since 1949).  
- The country’s **national anthem** is “La Marseillaise”, and its motto is “Liberté, égalité, fraternité”.  
- France’s **time zone** is **UTC+01:00** (CET) with daylight saving time **UTC+02:00** (CEST).  
- The country drives on the **right** side of the road and uses **230 V, 50 Hz** electricity with **Europlug** and **Type E** plugs.  
- France’s **calling code** is **+33** and its top‑level domain is **.fr**.  
- France’s **GDP** was **$2.78 trillion USD** (2022) and its **budget** was **€455.2 billion** (2023).  
- The country’s **VAT** rates are **20 %** (standard), **10 %** (reduced), **5.5 %** (reduced), and **2.1 %** (medication).  
- France’s **life expectancy** is **82 years** (2022).  
- The country’s **HDI** is **0.903** (2021), classified as “Very High”.  
- France’s **retirement age** is **62** (standard) and **67** (full rate).  
- The **marriageable age** and **age of majority** in France are both **18 years**.  
- **Compulsory education** in France is from ages **6 to 16**.  
- France’s **emergency numbers** are **112** (general), **15** (medical), **17** (police), and **18** (fire).  
- France’s **international organisations** include the **UN**, **EU**, **NATO**, **G7**, **G20**, **WTO**, **Schengen Area**, and **Council of Europe**.  
- France’s **national symbols** include the tricolour flag, the motto “Liberté, égalité, fraternité”, and the anthem “La Marseillaise”.  
- France’s **overseas territories** span the Americas, Africa, Oceania, and Antarctica, giving it a second‑largest exclusive economic zone.  
- France’s **historical milestones** include the Treaty of Verdun (843 AD), the First French Empire (1804), and the establishment of the Fifth Republic (1958).  
- France’s **military decorations** include the **Croix de guerre 1914–1918**, instituted on **2 April 1915**.  
- The **department of Aisne** is part of the French administrative structure created on **4 March 1790**.  
- The **canton of Saint‑Simon** existed until the 2015 reorganisation of French cantons.  
- The **arrondissement of Saint‑Quentin** is one of the administrative divisions of Aisne.

## FAQs

**What is the administrative status of Happencourt?**  
Happencourt is a commune, the lowest level of administrative division in France, situated within the Aisne department, the arrondissement of Saint‑Quentin, and historically the canton of Saint‑Simon.

**Where is Happencourt located geographically?**  
It lies at latitude 49.7778 N and longitude 3.1872 E, placing it in northern France within the Hauts‑de‑France region.

**What is the population trend in Happencourt?**  
Recent census figures show a population fluctuating between 133 and 201 residents, with a typical count around 150 in the last decade.

**Which larger administrative units govern Happencourt?**  
The commune is governed by the department of Aisne, the arrondissement of Saint‑Quentin, and, before 2015, the canton of Saint‑Simon.

**How does Happencourt relate to France’s national structures?**  
As a French commune, it falls under the jurisdiction of the French Republic, which is a semi‑presidential republic with a bicameral parliament and a president as head of state.

**What are some notable national honours associated with France that may be relevant to Happencourt residents?**  
France awards the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a military decoration established in 1915, to individuals for wartime service; residents of Happencourt may be eligible if they meet the criteria.

**What are the key historical dates for the administrative units surrounding Happencourt?**  
The Aisne department was created on 4 March 1790; the canton of Saint‑Simon existed until the 2015 canton reorganisation; the arrondissement of Saint‑Quentin remains an active subdivision.

**What are France’s international commitments that indirectly affect Happencourt?**  
France’s membership in the EU, UN, NATO, and other bodies shapes national policy on security, trade, and environmental standards, which in turn influence local governance in communes like Happencourt.

## Why It Matters
Happencourt exemplifies the granular level at which France’s administrative and democratic structures operate. As a commune, it is the basic unit of local governance, responsible for municipal services, civil registration, and community planning. Its existence within the Aisne department ties it to regional economic initiatives, infrastructure projects, and cultural heritage preservation efforts that are coordinated at the departmental and regional levels. The population data, though modest, reflect broader demographic trends in rural France, such as depopulation, aging, and the challenges of maintaining public services with limited resources. Understanding Happencourt provides insight into how national policies—whether related to decentralisation, rural development, or European Union funding—are implemented on the ground. Moreover, its historical connections to larger administrative units and national honours illustrate how local identities are woven into France’s national narrative.

## Notable For
- Small‑scale embodiment of French municipal governance.  
- Representative of rural demographic patterns in northern France.  
- Located within the historically significant Aisne department, known for its World War I heritage.  
- Part of the arrondissement of Saint‑Quentin, a key administrative hub in the region.  
- Formerly within the canton of Saint‑Simon, illustrating the impact of the 2015 canton reorganisation on local administration.

## Body

### Geography and Location
- Happencourt sits at **49.777777777778 N, 3.1872222222222 E**.  
- It lies in the **Aisne** department, which is part of the **Hauts‑de‑France** region in northern France.  
- The commune is within the **arrondissement of Saint‑Quentin**, a sub‑division of Aisne that handles local administrative duties such as civil status and land registration.  
- Prior to the nationwide canton reorganisation in March 2015, Happencourt was part of the **canton of Saint‑Simon**.  

### Demographics
- Population figures over recent censuses show a range from **133** to **201** residents.  
- The most recent counts place the population around **150** inhabitants, indicating a small, close‑knit community.  

### Administrative Structure
- **Commune**: The lowest tier of French territorial administration, responsible for local services, urban planning, and civil registration.  
- **Department**: Aisne (established **4 March 1790**) manages education, transportation, and social services at a level above the commune.  
- **Arrondissement**: Saint‑Quentin, which coordinates state services across its constituent communes.  
- **Canton**: Saint‑Simon (existed until 2015), used primarily for electoral purposes.  

### Historical Context
- The Aisne department was created during the French Revolution, reflecting the national move toward a more uniform administrative system.  
- The canton of Saint‑Simon was dissolved in the 2015 reorganisation, which reduced the number of cantons and aimed to balance populations for electoral representation.  
- Happencourt’s existence as a commune dates back to the establishment of the French Republic’s municipal framework in **1789**.  

### National Connections
- Happencourt is part of **France**, a country founded in **843 AD** (Treaty of Verdun) and later reconstituted as the First French Empire in **1804**.  
- France’s **semi‑presidential republic** structure means that local communes like Happencourt operate under the oversight of national ministries while retaining autonomy over municipal matters.  
- France’s membership in international bodies (EU, UN, NATO) influences national legislation that cascades down to local governance, affecting areas such as environmental regulation, infrastructure funding, and cultural preservation.  

### Cultural and Symbolic Aspects
- As a French commune, Happencourt shares in the national symbols: the **tricolour flag**, the motto **“Liberté, égalité, fraternité”**, and the anthem **“La Marseillaise.”**  
- Residents participate in national holidays such as Bastille Day (14 July) and Armistice Day (11 November).  

### Economic and Social Indicators
- While specific economic data for Happencourt are limited, it benefits from national policies on rural development, agricultural subsidies, and regional infrastructure projects.  
- The commune’s small population means that local services (schools, healthcare, public transport) are often shared with neighboring communes or managed at the departmental level.  

### Related Entities
- **Aisne Department**: Provides departmental services and infrastructure.  
- **Saint‑Quentin Arrondissement**: Coordinates state services across the arrondissement.  
- **Saint‑Simon Canton**: Historical electoral district.  
- **Croix de guerre 1914–1918**: National military decoration that may be awarded to residents who served in World War I.  

### National Context (France)
- **Capital**: Paris.  
- **Official Language**: French.  
- **Currency**: Euro (€) in metropolitan France.  
- **Time Zone**: CET (UTC+01:00), CEST (UTC+02:00) in summer.  
- **Driving Side**: Right.  
- **Electricity**: 230 V, 50 Hz, Europlug/Type E.  
- **Calling Code**: +33; TLD: .fr.  
- **Population**: ~68.6 million (2025).  
- **Area**: 643,801 km².  
- **GDP**: $2.78 trillion USD (2022).  
- **Budget**: €455.2 billion (2023).  
- **VAT**: 20 % standard, 10 % reduced, 5.5 % reduced, 2.1 % medication.  
- **Life Expectancy**: 82 years.  
- **HDI**: 0.903 (Very High).  
- **Retirement Age**: 62 (standard), 67 (full).  
- **Marriageable Age**: 18.  
- **Age of Majority**: 18.  
- **Compulsory Education**: Ages 6–16.  
- **Emergency Numbers**: 112, 15, 17, 18.  
- **International Memberships**: UN, EU, NATO, G7, G20, WTO, Schengen, Council of Europe.  
- **Nuclear Weapons**: Possessed since 1960.  
- **Historical Milestones**: Treaty of Verdun (843 AD), First French Empire (1804), Fifth Republic (1958).  
- **Military Decorations**: Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (established 2 April 1915).  

### Summary of Relationships
- Happencourt → Commune in Aisne → Department of Aisne → Arrondissement of Saint‑Quentin → Canton of Saint‑Simon (historical).  
- Aisne → Department created 1790 → Part of France.  
- France → Country with national institutions, symbols, and international commitments.  
- National honours such as the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 are linked to France’s military history and may be awarded to residents of communes like Happencourt.  

This comprehensive overview captures every fact and connection available in the source material, presenting a detailed portrait of Happencourt within its local, departmental, national, and international contexts.

## References

1. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/E6---140)
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. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
8. Populations légales 2016
9. Populations légales 2017
10. Populations légales 2018
11. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
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. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
23. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)