# La Capelle

> commune in Aisne, France

**Wikidata**: [Q840903](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q840903)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Capelle)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/la-capelle

## Summary
La Capelle is a commune located in the Aisne department of France, within the historic region of Hauts-de-France. It serves as a local administrative unit and is part of the canton of La Capelle (until March 2015) and the arrondissement of Vervins. The commune has a population of approximately 1,800–2,200 residents and is situated at coordinates 49.978°N, 3.917°E.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Commune (municipality) in France.
- **Location**: Aisne department, Hauts-de-France region, France.
- **Coordinates**: 49.97805555555556°N, 3.917222222222222°E.
- **Population**: Varied between ~1,700–2,200 residents (historical data points: 1,827, 1,813, 1,894, 1,788, 1,782, 2,065, 2,196, 2,123, 2,149, 2,007, 1,914, 1,838, 1,778, 1,772, 1,769, 1,757, 1,745).
- **Administrative Division**:
  - **Department**: Aisne (created March 4, 1790).
  - **Canton**: La Capelle (disestablished in March 2015).
  - **Arrondissement**: Vervins.
- **Website**: [http://www.lacapelle02.fr/](http://www.lacapelle02.fr/).
- **Wikidata Sitelinks**: 53 references across languages.
- **Inception**: Part of the French commune system established in 1789.

## FAQs
**Where is La Capelle located?**
La Capelle is a commune in the Aisne department of northern France, within the Hauts-de-France region. It lies at coordinates 49.978°N, 3.917°E, near the Belgian border.

**What is the population of La Capelle?**
The population has fluctuated between approximately 1,700 and 2,200 residents over recorded years, with recent figures around 1,800–2,000.

**What administrative divisions is La Capelle part of?**
La Capelle is part of the Aisne department (created in 1790), the former canton of La Capelle (disbanded in 2015), and the arrondissement of Vervins.

**How can I find more information about La Capelle?**
The official website for the commune is [http://www.lacapelle02.fr/](http://www.lacapelle02.fr/), which provides local governance details, services, and updates.

## Why It Matters
La Capelle represents a typical French rural commune, playing a role in the decentralized administrative structure of France. As part of the Aisne department, it contributes to the local economy, cultural heritage, and governance of the Hauts-de-France region. Its historical population trends reflect broader demographic shifts in rural France, including challenges like depopulation and aging communities. The commune’s integration into the arrondissement of Vervins and its past association with the canton of La Capelle highlight the evolving nature of French territorial organization, particularly after the 2015 canton reforms.

## Notable For
- **Historical Population Data**: Detailed records showing demographic changes over decades, reflecting rural trends in France.
- **Administrative Role**: Serves as a functional unit within France’s decentralized governance system.
- **Geographic Position**: Located near the Belgian border, contributing to cross-border regional dynamics.
- **Local Governance**: Manages municipal services, infrastructure, and community initiatives for its residents.

## Body

### Geography and Location
La Capelle is situated in the Aisne department of the Hauts-de-France region in northern France. Its coordinates are 49.97805555555556°N latitude and 3.917222222222222°E longitude, placing it near the Belgian border. The commune is part of the arrondissement of Vervins, which oversees multiple municipalities in the area.

### Administrative Structure
La Capelle operates as a **commune**, the smallest administrative division in France, established during the French Revolution in 1789. It falls under the following administrative hierarchies:
- **Department**: Aisne (created on March 4, 1790).
- **Former Canton**: La Capelle (disestablished in March 2015 as part of France’s territorial reform).
- **Arrondissement**: Vervins, which groups several cantons and communes for regional governance.

The commune is governed by a municipal council (*conseil municipal*) and a mayor (*maire*), elected by local residents to manage services such as schools, waste collection, and local infrastructure.

### Demographics
Population data for La Capelle shows variability over time, with recorded figures including:
- **1,827**, **1,813**, **1,894**, **1,788**, **1,782** (early 20th century or earlier).
- **2,065**, **2,196**, **2,123**, **2,149**, **2,007** (mid-to-late 20th century).
- **1,914**, **1,838**, **1,778**, **1,772**, **1,769**, **1,757**, **1,745** (recent decades).

These fluctuations reflect broader trends in rural French demographics, including migration to urban areas and aging populations.

### Infrastructure and Services
As a commune, La Capelle provides essential municipal services, including:
- **Education**: Primary schools and potential ties to regional secondary institutions.
- **Public Safety**: Local police (*gendarmerie*) and emergency services.
- **Transport**: Road connections to nearby towns and the arrondissement capital, Vervins.
- **Utilities**: Water, waste management, and basic public amenities.

The commune’s official website ([http://www.lacapelle02.fr/](http://www.lacapelle02.fr/)) serves as a hub for resident information, administrative procedures, and local news.

### Historical Context
La Capelle’s existence as a commune dates back to the post-Revolutionary reorganization of France in 1789, when the commune system replaced feudal structures. The Aisne department, to which it belongs, was created in 1790 as part of this reform. The dissolution of the canton of La Capelle in 2015 reflects France’s ongoing efforts to streamline territorial administration and reduce bureaucratic overhead.

### Regional Significance
Within the arrondissement of Vervins, La Capelle contributes to the economic and social fabric of northern Aisne. Its proximity to Belgium may influence cross-border trade, tourism, and cultural exchanges. The commune’s rural character is typical of the region, which is known for agriculture, small-scale industry, and historical sites related to World War I (given Aisne’s role in the conflict).

### Related Entities
- **Aisne Department**: One of France’s original 83 departments, established in 1790, known for its rolling landscapes and historical battlefields.
- **Arrondissement of Vervins**: An administrative division overseeing multiple cantons and communes, including La Capelle.
- **Canton of La Capelle (defunct)**: A former electoral and administrative division abolished in 2015 during France’s territorial reform.

### Data Sources and References
La Capelle is documented in Wikidata with 53 sitelinks, indicating its presence in multiple language editions of Wikipedia and other knowledge bases. The commune’s Wikidata entry provides structured data on its administrative relationships, population, and geographic coordinates.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
5. OpenStreetMap
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Annuaire de service-public.fr
8. MusicBrainz
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 communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
14. Populations légales 2019
15. Populations légales 2020
16. Populations légales 2021
17. Populations de référence 2022
18. Populations de référence 2023
19. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
20. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
21. GeoNames
22. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
23. [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)
24. répertoire géographique des communes
25. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
26. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
27. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File