# Hordain

> commune in Nord, France

**Wikidata**: [Q1164783](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1164783)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hordain)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hordain

## Summary

Hordain is a commune in the Nord department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France, situated in the arrondissement of Valenciennes. With a population of approximately 1,450 residents, Hordain represents a small but historically rooted French municipality located at coordinates 50.2625°N latitude and 3.315°E longitude. The commune is part of the French territorial structure and maintains connections to local cultural institutions, including the nearby Brasserie La Choulette brewery.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Hordain is located in the Nord department (inception: March 4, 1790) in the Hauts-de-France region
- **Administrative Division**: Part of the arrondissement of Valenciennes
- **Country**: France (Western Europe)
- **Population**: Approximately 1,450 inhabitants (with variations between 1,396 and 1,450 across recorded years)
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 50.2625°N, Longitude 3.315°E
- **Alias**: Hordegem
- **Official Website**: https://hordain.fr
- **Territorial Classification**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision dating to 1789)
- **Wikipedia Title**: Hordain
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Nord, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 41

## FAQs

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

Hordain is situated in the Nord department of the Hauts-de-France region in northern France. The Nord department was established on March 4, 1790, and is one of the most populous departments in France.

**What is the administrative structure of Hordain?**

Hordain is classified as a commune of France, which is the lowest-level territorial subdivision in the French administrative system. It falls within the arrondissement of Valenciennes, which is an administrative division within the Nord department.

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

Hordain is located at latitude 50.2625°N and longitude 3.315°E, placing it in the northern part of France near the Belgian border.

**What is the population of Hordain?**

Hordain has a population of approximately 1,450 inhabitants, with recorded population figures showing variations between 1,396 and 1,450 residents across different census years.

**Are there any notable local establishments in or near Hordain?**

The Brasserie La Choulette brewery is located in France and represents a notable local industrial establishment in the broader region, contributing to the local economic and cultural landscape.

**What is the connection between Hordain and the broader French territorial structure?**

Hordain is part of the French commune system, which dates to 1789. As a commune, it operates as a territorial collectivity within the French Republic, which itself has roots dating back to the Treaty of Verdun in 843 AD establishing West Francia, and the proclamation of the First French Empire in 1804.

## Why It Matters

Hordain represents the foundational unit of French local governance, embodying the decentralized administrative structure that characterizes the French Republic. As one of the approximately 34,970 communes in France, Hordain participates in the democratic and administrative framework that has governed French municipalities since the French Revolution. The commune system allows for local governance while maintaining national coherence through the departmental and regional administrative layers.

The commune's location in Nord—the most populous department in France—places it within a region of significant economic and strategic importance. Nord department shares a border with Belgium and has historically been a zone of cultural exchange and industrial activity. Hordain's position within this context contributes to its role in the broader socio-economic fabric of northern France.

Furthermore, Hordain's inclusion in the arrondissement of Valenciennes connects it to a historical center of industrial and cultural significance. The presence of local establishments such as the Brasserie La Choulette demonstrates the commune's integration into regional economic activities, particularly in the brewing industry that has traditional roots in northern France.

## Notable For

- **Administrative Classification**: Part of the French commune system, the fundamental territorial subdivision of France established in 1789
- **Regional Location**: Situated in Nord, the most populous French department
- **Historical Territory**: Located in Hauts-de-France, a region with deep historical roots and significant industrial heritage
- **Local Industry Connection**: Associated with the regional brewing tradition through proximity to Brasserie La Choulette
- **Cross-Border Proximity**: Positioned in northern France near the Belgian border, an area of historical European significance

## Body

### Geography and Location

Hordain is a commune situated in the northern part of France, specifically in the Nord department within the Hauts-de-France region. The commune's geographical coordinates place it at 50.2625°N latitude and 3.315°E longitude. This positioning situates Hordain in the heart of French Flanders, a region with distinct cultural and historical characteristics that differ from other parts of France due to its proximity to Belgium and historical connections to the Low Countries.

The Nord department, in which Hordain is located, was officially established on March 4, 1790, during the early years of the French Revolution. This department is notable for being the most populous in France, reflecting the industrial and urban density of the region. Hordain falls within the arrondissement of Valenciennes, an administrative division that encompasses several communes in the southeastern portion of the department.

### Administrative Structure

As a commune of France, Hordain operates as a territorial collectivity governed by the French administrative system. The commune structure in France dates to 1789, when the National Constituent Assembly abolished the previous feudal divisions and established the commune as the fundamental unit of local administration. Today, France comprises approximately 34,970 communes, ranging from major cities like Paris to small rural municipalities like Hordain.

The commune is part of a hierarchical administrative structure that includes the department (Nord), the region (Hauts-de-France), and the national government in Paris. This decentralized system allows for local governance while maintaining national coherence. The arrondissement of Valenciennes, to which Hordain belongs, serves as an intermediate administrative level between the commune and the department.

### Demographics and Population

Hordain maintains a population of approximately 1,450 inhabitants, with recorded figures showing variations between 1,396 and 1,450 residents across different census years. This population size is characteristic of many rural and semi-rural communes in northern France, where small municipalities form the backbone of local communities.

The population figures reflect a relatively stable community size, typical of communes that have maintained consistent residential activity over time. While specific demographic details such as age distribution, birth rates, or migration patterns are not provided in the source material, the population figures suggest a settled community with reasonable stability.

### Local Economy and Industry

The broader region around Hordain has historically been associated with industrial activity, particularly in textiles, mining, and manufacturing. The Nord department was at the heart of France's industrial revolution, with significant coal deposits and textile manufacturing centers driving economic development during the 19th and 20th centuries.

In the local area, the presence of Brasserie La Choulette represents the brewing tradition in northern France. This brewery operates in the region and contributes to the local economic landscape through manufacturing and employment. The brewing industry has historical roots in northern France and Belgium, reflecting the cultural connections between these neighboring regions.

### Historical Context

The territory on which Hordain sits has been part of French state territory since the early formation of the French nation. The historical development of the French state can be traced to the Treaty of Verdun in 843 AD, which established West Francia as a distinct political entity. Over the centuries, the northern regions of France, including what is now Nord department, have been contested, conquered, and reconquered, ultimately becoming firmly integrated into the French kingdom.

The modern French Republic, of which Hordain is a part, was established through a series of political transformations, including the French Revolution of 1789, the establishment of various constitutional regimes, and the founding of the Fifth Republic in 1958. The commune system itself dates to this revolutionary period, when the ancient regime's provinces and parishes were replaced by a uniform system of communes.

### Cultural and Regional Identity

Hordain's location in the former French Flanders gives the region a distinct cultural identity that blends French and Flemish characteristics. The Nord department, in particular, has historically been a crossroads of European cultures, with influences from both French and Belgian traditions visible in local customs, cuisine, and architecture.

The region's identity is further shaped by its position as a border area, which has influenced both its economic development and its cultural character. The proximity to Belgium has facilitated cross-border interactions, trade, and cultural exchange throughout history.

### Connection to National and International Structures

As part of the French Republic, Hordain is connected to broader national and international structures. France itself is a founding member of the European Union (since 1957), a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (since 1945), and a member of NATO (since 1949). These international memberships have implications for local governance, economic policy, and security cooperation that extend down to the communal level.

The French national framework provides the legal and administrative context within which Hordain operates, including adherence to national laws, participation in national elections, and access to national public services. The commune system ensures that local voices are represented within the broader democratic structure of the French Republic.

## References

1. Source
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
5. INSEE code
6. répertoire géographique des communes
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Annuaire de service-public.fr
9. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
10. Populations légales 2016
11. Populations légales 2017
12. Populations légales 2018
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)
24. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File