# Illies

> commune in Nord, France

**Wikidata**: [Q1164850](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1164850)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illies,_Nord)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/illies

## Summary

Illies is a commune in the Nord department in northern France, located within the Lille metropolis and the arrondissement of Lille. The municipality sits at coordinates 50.561388888889°N latitude and 2.8311111111111°E longitude, and was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for its suffering during World War I.

## Key Facts

- **Country**: France
- **Department**: Nord (inception: March 4, 1790)
- **Metropolis**: Lille metropolis (inception: December 31, 1966)
- **Arrondissement**: Lille
- **Canton**: La Bassée
- **Coordinates**: 50.561388888889°N, 2.8311111111111°E
- **Website**: https://ville-illies.fr
- **Classification**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision for municipalities, inception: 1789)
- **Award**: Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (French military decoration, inception: April 2, 1915)
- **Population figures recorded**: 1409, 1469, 1556, 1624, 1635, 1635, 1640, 1664, 1688, 1712
- **Wikipedia title**: Illies, Nord
- **Sitelink count**: 41

## FAQs

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

Illies is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. It is part of the Nord department in the Hauts-de-France region, situated within the Lille metropolis and the arrondissement of Lille.

**Where exactly is Illies located?**

Illies is located in northern France at coordinates 50.561388888889°N latitude and 2.8311111111111°E longitude. It falls under the canton of La Bassée and is part of the Lille metropolis, a metropolitan area in the Nord department.

**What recognition or awards has Illies received?**

Illies was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915, recognizing the commune's suffering and damage during World War I.

**What is the population of Illies?**

Population figures recorded for Illies show numbers ranging from 1409 to 1712 across multiple census periods, indicating a generally growing population trend throughout its recorded history.

## Why It Matters

Illies represents a small but historically significant commune in the industrial heartland of northern France. Its location within the Lille metropolis places it in one of France's major urban areas, contributing to the regional economic and social fabric of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. The awarding of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 signifies that the commune experienced significant impact during World War I, a period when northern France saw some of the most intense fighting of the conflict. As part of the Lille metropolis, Illies participates in a collaborative metropolitan governance structure that coordinates economic development, transportation, and urban planning across multiple municipalities. The commune's proximity to major industrial centers and its position within the European corridor connecting France to Belgium and beyond contribute to its relevance in regional connectivity and cross-border interactions.

## Notable For

- Awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for World War I involvement
- Located within the Lille metropolis, a major metropolitan area in northern France
- Part of the Nord department, one of France's most populous and economically significant departments
- Situated at strategic coordinates in the French-Belgian border region

## Body

### Geography and Location

Illies is situated in the Nord department of northern France, specifically within the Hauts-de-France region. The commune's precise geographic coordinates are 50.561388888889°N latitude and 2.8311111111111°E longitude, placing it in the flat, agricultural and industrial terrain characteristic of the French Low Countries. The municipality falls within the arrondissement of Lille and the canton of La Bassée, establishing its administrative hierarchy within the French departmental system.

### Administrative Structure

As a commune of France, Illies operates as the lowest level of territorial administration in the French administrative system. The commune as a concept was established in 1789 during the French Revolution, replacing the previous system of parishes and villages. Illies is part of the Lille metropolis (Métropole de Lille), an intercommunal structure created in 1966 that coordinates development across numerous surrounding municipalities. The Nord department, within which Illies is located, was created on March 4, 1790, during the initial reorganization of France into departments following the Revolution.

### Historical Recognition

Illies was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a prestigious French military decoration created on April 2, 1915, to recognize military valor and suffering during World War I. This award indicates that the commune experienced significant damage, military operations, or casualties during the conflict. Northern France, particularly the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, was heavily affected by World War I, with many communes in the area receiving similar recognition for their endurance through four years of near-constant warfare.

### Population and Demographics

Population data recorded for Illies shows figures of 1409, 1469, 1556, 1624, 1635, 1635, 1640, 1664, 1688, and 1712 across various census periods. These numbers suggest a generally upward population trend throughout the commune's modern history, though the specific years for each figure are not detailed in the source material. The population remains modest, characteristic of many rural communes in the Nord department, though the proximity to Lille provides access to urban amenities and employment opportunities.

### Regional Context

Illies benefits from its position within the Lille metropolis, a significant urban area in northern France that includes Lille, Roubaix, Tourcoing, and numerous surrounding municipalities. The metropolis serves as a major economic hub, historically known for its textile industry and now diversified into technology, logistics, and service sectors. The commune's location near the Belgian border also places it within a region of significant cross-border interaction, with Belgium lying just to the northeast of the Nord department.

### Infrastructure and Access

The commune maintains a web presence through its official website at https://ville-illies.fr, enabling communication with residents and visitors. The overall sitelink count of 41 indicates moderate digital visibility. The region's infrastructure includes connections to French national railways and highway networks, facilitating movement to Lille, other major French cities, and points beyond.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
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. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
23. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
24. museum-digital