# La Besace

> commune in Ardennes, France

**Wikidata**: [Q1059341](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1059341)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Besace)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/la-besace-q1059341

## Summary  
La Besace is a small commune located in the Ardennes department of northern France. It lies within the arrondissement of Sedan and the former canton of Raucourt‑et‑Flaba, and its coordinates are 49.5572 °N, 4.9603 °E. The village is part of the broader administrative structure of France, which includes 18 regions, 101 departments, and numerous communes.

## Key Facts  
- **Country:** France (metropolitan France in Western Europe).  
- **Department:** Ardennes (established 4 March 1790).  
- **Arrondissement:** Sedan.  
- **Former Canton:** Raucourt‑et‑Flaba (until March 2015).  
- **Commune Status:** Commune (municipality) in France.  
- **Coordinates:** 49.557222 °N, 4.960278 °E.  
- **Population:** 114–173 residents (various census counts).  
- **Sitelink Count:** 48 (links to other language versions).  
- **Aliases:** Coteau‑Libre, Besace (La), Besace.  
- **Wikipedia Title:** La Besace.  
- **Wikidata Description:** commune in Ardennes, France.  

## FAQs  

**What is the administrative hierarchy that La Besace belongs to?**  
La Besace is a commune, the smallest administrative unit in France. It falls within the arrondissement of Sedan, which is part of the Ardennes department in the Grand Est region of northern France.  

**Which larger territorial entities encompass La Besace?**  
The commune is situated in the Ardennes department, itself a subdivision of the Grand Est region. Ardennes is one of 101 departments in metropolitan France, and the country is divided into 18 regions overall.  

**What are the population figures for La Besace?**  
Census data show a range of 114 to 173 inhabitants across different years, with counts such as 114, 133, 138, 141, 139, 173, 165, 129, 132, 133, 127, 107, 136, 133, 134, 134, 133.  

**Where exactly is La Besace located geographically?**  
It lies at latitude 49.557222 °N and longitude 4.960278 °E, placing it in the northern part of France near the Belgian border.  

**What are the official names and aliases used for La Besace?**  
The commune is officially known as La Besace, but it is also referred to as Coteau‑Libre, Besace (La), and Besace in various contexts.  

**How many language versions of La Besace exist online?**  
There are 48 sitelinks, indicating that the commune has entries in 48 different language editions of Wikipedia or other linked resources.  

**What is the historical origin of the Ardennes department that contains La Besace?**  
The Ardennes department was created on 4 March 1790 during the French Revolution, replacing the former provinces and establishing a new administrative structure.  

**What is the significance of the arrondissement of Sedan for La Besace?**  
Sedan is the administrative center of the arrondissement that includes La Besace, providing local governance, civil services, and judicial oversight for the commune.  

**What is the relationship between La Besace and the former canton of Raucourt‑et‑Flaba?**  
Until the canton reorganisation in March 2015, La Besace was part of the canton of Raucourt‑et‑Flaba, a subdivision used for electoral and administrative purposes.  

**Does La Besace have any notable historical events or landmarks?**  
The provided source does not list specific historical events or landmarks for La Besace; it focuses on administrative and demographic data.  

## Why It Matters  
While La Besace is a modestly populated commune, it exemplifies the intricate tapestry of local governance that underpins the French Republic. Communes like La Besace are the bedrock of France’s decentralized administrative system, allowing residents to manage local affairs—such as civil registration, urban planning, and public services—within a framework that respects national standards. The existence of such communes ensures that even small populations retain a voice in the democratic process, preserving cultural identity and fostering community cohesion. Moreover, La Besace’s inclusion in the Ardennes department places it within a region known for its historical significance during both World Wars and its ongoing role in cross‑border cooperation with Belgium. As part of the broader French administrative network, the commune contributes to the country’s statistical, economic, and social data, informing policy decisions at departmental, regional, and national levels.  

## Notable For  
- One of many communes that illustrate France’s commitment to local self‑governance.  
- Situated within the historically significant Ardennes department, established during the French Revolution.  
- Holds a range of population figures that reflect demographic changes in rural France.  
- Features multiple aliases, highlighting the linguistic diversity and historical naming conventions of French municipalities.  

## Body  

### Administrative Context  
- **Country:** France, a semi‑presidential republic in Western Europe.  
- **Region:** Grand Est (not explicitly mentioned but implied by Ardennes’ location).  
- **Department:** Ardennes, created 4 March 1790, one of 101 departments in metropolitan France.  
- **Arrondissement:** Sedan, an administrative division that groups several communes for state services.  
- **Former Canton:** Raucourt‑et‑Flaba, a former electoral district that existed until the 2015 canton reorganisation.  
- **Commune Status:** La Besace is officially classified as a commune, the lowest tier of French territorial administration.  

### Geographic Coordinates  
- Latitude: 49.557222 °N  
- Longitude: 4.960278 °E  
These coordinates place the commune in the northern part of France, near the Belgian border, within the Ardennes forested landscape.  

### Demographics  
- Population counts vary across census years: 114, 133, 138, 141, 139, 173, 165, 129, 132, 133, 127, 107, 136, 133, 134, 134, 133.  
- The range indicates a small, relatively stable population typical of rural French communes.  

### Aliases and Naming  
- **Coteau‑Libre**  
- **Besace (La)**  
- **Besace**  
These alternate names appear in historical documents, cartographic sources, and local usage, reflecting the commune’s linguistic heritage.  

### Online Presence  
- **Wikipedia Title:** La Besace  
- **Sitelink Count:** 48, indicating the commune’s representation across 48 language editions of Wikipedia or other linked resources.  

### Related Administrative Entities  
- **Canton of Raucourt‑et‑Flaba:** Former canton grouping La Besace until March 2015.  
- **Ardennes Department:** Current department, part of the Grand Est region.  
- **Arrondissement of Sedan:** Current arrondissement overseeing local administration.  

### Connections to France’s National Structure  
- La Besace is part of the broader French system of communes, which collectively number over 35,000.  
- The commune participates in national statistical collection, contributing data to France’s demographic and economic analyses.  

### Historical Context of the Ardennes  
- The Ardennes department was established during the French Revolution, replacing the old provincial structures.  
- It has played a significant role in European history, notably during the World Wars, though specific events in La Besace are not documented in the source.  

### Cultural and Socio‑Economic Aspects  
- While the source does not detail local industries or cultural sites, the commune’s small population suggests a predominantly rural economy, likely centered on agriculture, forestry, or small‑scale local enterprises.  

### Governance and Public Services  
- As a commune, La Besace would have a mayor and municipal council responsible for local decision‑making, civil registration, and community services.  
- It falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Sedan for state‑level services such as policing, education, and infrastructure maintenance.  

### Geographic and Environmental Features  
- The Ardennes region is known for its dense forests, rolling hills, and river valleys, which likely influence the local landscape of La Besace.  

### Statistical and Data References  
- **Population Data:** Multiple census counts provided, reflecting demographic monitoring by national statistical agencies.  
- **Sitelink Data:** 48 sitelinks demonstrate the commune’s presence in international digital repositories.  

### Summary of Relationships  
- **Country → Region → Department → Arrondissement → Commune**  
  France → Grand Est → Ardennes → Sedan → La Besace.  
- **Former Canton:** Raucourt‑et‑Flaba (pre‑2015).  

This comprehensive overview captures every fact and connection available for La Besace, illustrating its place within France’s administrative, geographic, and demographic landscape.

## References

1. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
2. INSEE code
3. répertoire géographique des communes
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Annuaire de service-public.fr
6. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
7. Populations légales 2016
8. Populations légales 2017
9. Populations légales 2018
10. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
11. Populations légales 2019
12. Populations légales 2020
13. Populations légales 2021
14. Populations de référence 2022
15. Populations de référence 2023
16. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
17. [Source](http://cassini.ehess.fr/cassini/fr/html/fiche.php?select_resultat=3926)
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)