# Kanfen

> commune in Moselle, France

**Wikidata**: [Q22743](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q22743)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanfen)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kanfen

## Summary
Kanfen is a commune located in the Moselle department within the Grand Est region of northeastern France. It is a small municipality situated in the arrondissement of Thionville, characterized by its specific geographic coordinates and a population that has fluctuated between approximately 469 and 1,235 residents over recorded history. The entity is administratively linked to the canton of Cattenom (prior to March 2015) and falls under the jurisdiction of the French Republic.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France.
- **Department**: Moselle (established March 4, 1790).
- **Region**: Grand Est (implied by Moselle location).
- **Country**: France (officially République française).
- **Arrondissement**: Thionville (current inception: January 1, 2015).
- **Former Arrondissement**: Thionville-Est (active 1901–2015).
- **Canton**: Cattenom (administrative link until March 2015).
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 49.439166666667, Longitude 6.1094444444444.
- **Population Range**: Historical records show values including 469, 483, 615, 722, 776, 970, 1068, 1117, 1142, 1174, 1175, 1198, 1207, 1210, 1222, 1234, and 1235.
- **Website**: https://www.kanfen.fr/
- **Wikipedia Title**: Kanfen.
- **Wikidata Sitelink Count**: 43.
- **Image Subject**: Eglise Kanfen (Church of Kanfen).
- **Image Artist**: Aimelaime (French Wikipedia).
- **Image License**: Public domain.
- **Image URL**: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/Eglise_Kanfen.jpg.
- **Thumbnail URL**: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f7/Eglise_Kanfen.jpg/960px-Eglise_Kanfen.jpg.
- **Commons File**: File:Eglise Kanfen.jpg.
- **Historical Context**: Part of the former District of Alsace-Lorraine (Bezirk Lothringen) established May 20, 1871.

## FAQs
**What is the administrative hierarchy of Kanfen?**
Kanfen is a commune situated within the Moselle department, which is part of the French Republic. It currently belongs to the arrondissement of Thionville, a division established on January 1, 2015, having previously been part of the arrondissement of Thionville-Est from 1901 to 2015.

**How has the population of Kanfen changed over time?**
The population of Kanfen has varied significantly across recorded census periods, with specific data points ranging from a low of 469 to a high of 1,235. Recent estimates and historical counts include figures such as 1,117, 1,142, 1,175, 1,174, 1,207, and 1,234, reflecting demographic shifts in the area.

**Where is Kanfen located geographically?**
The commune is positioned at latitude 49.439166666667 and longitude 6.1094444444444 within the Moselle department of France. It is located in the broader context of Western Europe, sharing the national borders and administrative systems of the French Republic.

**What historical administrative regions did Kanfen belong to?**
Historically, the area was part of the District of Alsace-Lorraine (Bezirk Lothringen), which was established on May 20, 1871. Administratively, it was also linked to the canton of Cattenom until the reorganization of cantons in March 2015.

**What visual documentation exists for Kanfen?**
A notable public domain image of the commune features the Eglise Kanfen (Church of Kanfen). This photograph was taken by the artist Aimelaime and is available on French Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons.

## Why It Matters
Kanfen serves as a specific data point for understanding the administrative and demographic structure of rural France within the Moselle department. Its inclusion in the arrondissement of Thionville and its historical ties to the canton of Cattenom illustrate the evolving nature of French local governance and territorial subdivisions. The entity provides a concrete example of how municipalities fit into the broader framework of the French Republic, including its connection to the former District of Alsace-Lorraine. For researchers and geographers, the specific population fluctuations and precise coordinates of Kanfen offer insights into the demographic trends of the region. The availability of public domain imagery and digital records ensures that this commune remains a documented part of the global knowledge base regarding French geography.

## Notable For
- **Administrative Evolution**: Transition from the former arrondissement of Thionville-Est (1901–2015) to the current arrondissement of Thionville (since 2015).
- **Historical Region**: Former inclusion in the District of Alsace-Lorraine (Bezirk Lothringen) established in 1871.
- **Canton Association**: Long-standing administrative link to the canton of Cattenom prior to the 2015 reorganization.
- **Demographic Variance**: Recorded population figures spanning a wide range from 469 to 1,235 residents.
- **Digital Presence**: Maintains an official website at https://www.kanfen.fr/ and a dedicated Wikipedia entry.
- **Visual Heritage**: Home to the Eglise Kanfen, documented in public domain photography by Aimelaime.
- **Geographic Precision**: Defined by exact coordinates of 49.439166666667° N, 6.1094444444444° E.
- **Wikidata Integration**: Recognized with 43 sitelinks across various language editions of Wikipedia.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Kanfen is a commune located in the Moselle department of France. Its precise geographic position is marked by the coordinates latitude 49.439166666667 and longitude 6.1094444444444. The commune falls within the arrondissement of Thionville, which was re-established on January 1, 2015. Prior to this date, the territory was part of the arrondissement of Thionville-Est, a subdivision that existed from 1901 until 2015. The location places Kanfen within the broader context of the French Republic, a country in Western Europe.

### Administrative History and Structure
The administrative history of Kanfen is tied to several key territorial changes in France. The commune was historically associated with the canton of Cattenom, a status that persisted until the cantonal reorganization in March 2015. In terms of departmental history, Kanfen is part of Moselle, a department created on March 4, 1790. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the region was part of the District of Alsace-Lorraine (Bezirk Lothringen), which was established on May 20, 1871, under German administration before returning to France. The commune is classified as a "commune of France," a territorial subdivision that originated around 1789.

### Demographics
The population of Kanfen has shown significant variation over time, with recorded figures including 469, 483, 615, 722, 776, 970, 1068, 1117, 1142, 1174, 1175, 1198, 1207, 1210, 1222, 1234, and 1235. These numbers reflect the demographic dynamics of the commune across different census periods. As a small municipality, these fluctuations are typical for rural areas within the Moselle department. The data points provide a historical record of the community's size and growth patterns.

### Digital and Visual Resources
Kanfen maintains a digital presence through its official website, located at https://www.kanfen.fr/. The commune is also documented on Wikipedia under the title "Kanfen" and has a Wikidata entry with 43 sitelinks connecting it to various language versions. A significant visual record of the commune is the photograph of the Eglise Kanfen (Church of Kanfen). This image, created by the artist Aimelaime for French Wikipedia, is licensed under the public domain. It is hosted on Wikimedia Commons as File:Eglise Kanfen.jpg and is available in high resolution via the URL https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/Eglise_Kanfen.jpg. A thumbnail version is also accessible at https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f7/Eglise_Kanfen.jpg/960px-Eglise_Kanfen.jpg.

### Historical Context
The history of Kanfen is intertwined with the broader history of the Moselle region and the French state. The commune's existence as a formal entity dates back to the creation of the commune system in France around 1789. The region's complex history includes its time as part of the District of Alsace-Lorraine (Bezirk Lothringen) from 1871, reflecting the geopolitical shifts between France and Germany in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The administrative boundaries have shifted over time, notably with the dissolution of the arrondissement of Thionville-Est in 2015 and the subsequent integration into the arrondissement of Thionville. The canton of Cattenom also played a role in the local governance structure until its reorganization in 2015.

## 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 communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
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)