# Élesmes

> commune in Nord, France

**Wikidata**: [Q1064121](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1064121)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Élesmes)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lesmes

## Summary
Élesmes is a commune located in the Nord department of France. It is part of the canton of Maubeuge-Nord and falls under the arrondissement of Avesnes-sur-Helpe. The municipality is situated in the Hauts-de-France region and has a population that has fluctuated around 1,000 residents over recent years.

## Key Facts
- **Country**: France
- **Region**: Hauts-de-France
- **Department**: Nord (inception: 1790-03-04)
- **Arrondissement**: Avesnes-sur-Helpe
- **Canton**: Maubeuge-Nord
- **Population**: Ranging from 961 to 1,013 between recent years
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 50.306388888889, Longitude 4.01
- **Website**: [http://www.elesmes.e-monsite.com](http://www.elesmes.e-monsite.com)
- **Image Source**: [Wikimedia Commons](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/Elesmes%C3%89glise%283%29.JPG)
- **Image Artist**: Budotradan
- **Image License**: Public domain
- **Type**: Commune of France (inception: 1789)
- **Sitelink Count**: 41
- **Wikipedia Title**: Élesmes
- **Award Mentioned**: Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (inception: 1915-04-02)

## FAQs
**What is Élesmes?**  
Élesmes is a commune in the Nord department of northern France. It is administratively part of the canton of Maubeuge-Nord and the arrondissement of Avesnes-sur-Helpe.

**Where is Élesmes located?**  
Élesmes is located in the Nord department within the Hauts-de-France region of France. Its geographic coordinates are approximately 50.3064°N latitude and 4.01°E longitude.

**What is the population of Élesmes?**  
The population of Élesmes has ranged between 961 and 1,013 in recent years, with specific counts including 961, 987, 997, 980, 976, 986, 998, 992, 1,002, and 1,013.

**What administrative divisions does Élesmes belong to?**  
Élesmes is part of the canton of Maubeuge-Nord, the arrondissement of Avesnes-sur-Helpe, and the Nord department, all within the Hauts-de-France region of France.

**Is Élesmes associated with any historical recognition or awards?**  
Élesmes is associated with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration established on April 2, 1915, recognizing service during World War I.

**What is the official website for Élesmes?**  
The official website for Élesmes is [http://www.elesmes.e-monsite.com](http://www.elesmes.e-monsite.com).

## Why It Matters
Élesmes represents a small but historically rooted community within the broader administrative and cultural framework of France. As part of the Nord department and Hauts-de-France region, it contributes to the demographic and geographic diversity of French communes. Its recognition in relation to the Croix de guerre underscores its involvement in national historical narratives, particularly those tied to World War I. Though modest in size, Élesmes plays a role in preserving local heritage and maintaining the decentralized structure of French governance.

## Notable For
- **Historical Recognition**: Associated with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a military honor from World War I.
- **Administrative Positioning**: Embedded within the canton of Maubeuge-Nord and the arrondissement of Avesnes-sur-Helpe.
- **Geographic Specificity**: Located in the Nord department, one of the original departments created during the French Revolution (1790).
- **Population Stability**: Maintains a population consistently near 1,000 residents, reflecting rural commune demographics.
- **Digital Presence**: Operates an official website, indicating local engagement with modern communication tools.
- **Visual Documentation**: Features a publicly licensed image on Wikimedia Commons, enhancing its visibility in open knowledge platforms.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Élesmes is a commune situated in the Nord department of France, which was established on March 4, 1790. It lies within the Hauts-de-France region, a historically and culturally significant area in northern France. The commune is part of the arrondissement of Avesnes-sur-Helpe and the canton of Maubeuge-Nord, both of which are administrative subdivisions that facilitate local governance.

The geographic coordinates of Élesmes are approximately 50.3064°N latitude and 4.01°E longitude. This positioning situates it within the broader context of northern France’s rural and semi-urban landscape.

### Demographics and Population
The population of Élesmes has remained relatively stable, ranging between 961 and 1,013 over recent years. Specific population figures include:
- 961
- 987
- 997
- 980
- 976
- 986
- 998
- 992
- 1,002
- 1,013

This demographic profile reflects the characteristics of small French communes, which often serve as quiet residential or rural communities with deep historical roots.

### Administration and Governance
As a commune of France, Élesmes operates under the national framework established since 1789. It is part of the decentralized administrative structure of France, which includes:
- **Department**: Nord (established 1790)
- **Arrondissement**: Avesnes-sur-Helpe
- **Canton**: Maubeuge-Nord

These layers of governance ensure local representation while maintaining alignment with national policies and regional coordination.

### Historical Recognition
Élesmes is associated with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration created on April 2, 1915. This award recognizes acts of bravery by military personnel and units during World War I. The connection suggests that Élesmes or individuals from the commune may have contributed to the war effort, marking its place in France’s collective memory of the conflict.

### Digital Presence
Élesmes maintains an official website at [http://www.elesmes.e-monsite.com](http://www.elesmes.e-monsite.com), which serves as a digital hub for local information and community engagement. This reflects a broader trend among French communes to adopt digital tools for civic communication and transparency.

### Cultural and Visual Representation
The commune is visually represented through a photograph hosted on Wikimedia Commons: [File:ÉlesmesÉglise(3).JPG](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/Elesmes%C3%89glise%283%29.JPG). The image, taken by Budotradan, is in the public domain, allowing for free use and distribution. This contributes to the visibility of Élesmes in open knowledge repositories and supports cultural preservation.

### Sitelinks and References
Élesmes is referenced across 41 different language versions on various Wikimedia projects, indicating its documented presence in global knowledge bases. It also has a dedicated Wikipedia page titled *Élesmes*, further solidifying its digital footprint.

## 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)