# Levens

> commune in Alpes-Maritimes, France

**Wikidata**: [Q271337](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q271337)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levens,_Alpes-Maritimes)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/levens

## Summary
Levens is a commune located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of southeastern France. It is situated within the arrondissement of Nice and was formerly the seat of the canton of Levens, which existed until March 2015. The entity is characterized by its specific geographic coordinates and a population that has fluctuated between approximately 1,300 and over 5,300 residents across recorded census years.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France (territorial subdivision for municipalities).
- **Location**: Alpes-Maritimes department, France.
- **Administrative Division**: Part of the arrondissement of Nice.
- **Former Administrative Unit**: Seat of the canton of Levens (disbanded in March 2015).
- **Geographic Coordinates**: Latitude 43.860833333333, Longitude 7.2244444444444.
- **Population Data Points**: Recorded figures include 1,299; 1,422; 1,800; 2,686; 3,700; 4,427; 4,709; 4,726; 4,738; 4,741; 4,748; 4,761; 4,819; 4,963; 5,165; 5,366; and 5,377.
- **Official Website**: http://www.levens.fr.
- **Wikipedia Title**: Levens, Alpes-Maritimes.
- **Wikidata Sitelink Count**: 45.
- **Image Source**: Wikimedia Commons file "Levens4.jpg".
- **Image Artist**: Eric Coffinet.
- **Image License**: Public domain.
- **Country of Origin**: France.
- **Inception of Commune Status**: Established as a territorial subdivision in 1789.
- **Inception of Department**: Alpes-Maritimes department created on June 23, 1860.

## FAQs
**What is the administrative status of Levens within the French government structure?**
Levens functions as a commune, which is the lowest level of administrative division in France, established in 1789. It is currently situated within the Alpes-Maritimes department and the arrondissement of Nice.

**How has the population of Levens changed over time?**
The population has shown significant variation, with recorded figures ranging from a low of 1,299 to a high of 5,377. Specific data points include 4,819, 4,741, 4,748, 4,738, 4,726, 4,709, 4,761, 4,963, 5,165, and 5,366, reflecting historical demographic shifts.

**What happened to the canton of Levens?**
The canton of Levens was an administrative division that included the commune but ceased to exist in March 2015. Prior to its dissolution, it served as a grouping of communes for electoral and administrative purposes within the department.

**Where can I find visual documentation of Levens?**
Visual documentation is available on Wikimedia Commons, specifically the image file "Levens4.jpg" taken by artist Eric Coffinet. This image is released under a public domain license and is used to represent the commune on various platforms.

## Why It Matters
Levens serves as a specific case study in the complex administrative geography of the Alpes-Maritimes region, illustrating the evolution of French local governance from the 1789 establishment of communes to the 2015 cantonal reorganization. Its existence connects local history with broader national frameworks, as it falls under the jurisdiction of the Alpes-Maritimes department, created in 1860, and the arrondissement of Nice. The entity's demographic data provides a granular view of population trends in the French Riviera hinterland, offering insights into rural and semi-urban development patterns in southeastern France. As a member of the extensive network of French communes, Levens contributes to the decentralized administrative model that defines the French Republic.

## Notable For
- **Administrative History**: Former seat of the canton of Levens, a unit that operated until the major administrative reform of March 2015.
- **Geographic Specificity**: Defined by precise coordinates at 43.860833333333° N, 7.2244444444444° E.
- **Demographic Range**: Exhibits a wide historical population variance, spanning from 1,299 to 5,377 residents.
- **Departmental Context**: Located in Alpes-Maritimes, a department with an inception date of June 23, 1860.
- **Digital Presence**: Maintains an official web presence at http://www.levens.fr.
- **Visual Heritage**: Documented by photographer Eric Coffinet with a public domain image on Wikimedia Commons.
- **Wikipedia Integration**: Holds a dedicated Wikipedia page titled "Levens, Alpes-Maritimes" with 45 cross-language sitelinks.

## Body

### Administrative Classification and Hierarchy
Levens is classified as a commune, which represents the fundamental territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. This status was established in 1789, marking the beginning of the modern French municipal system. The commune is located within the Alpes-Maritimes department, a larger administrative entity created on June 23, 1860. Within the departmental structure, Levens falls under the arrondissement of Nice. Historically, the commune served as the administrative center for the canton of Levens; however, this cantonal division was dissolved in March 2015 as part of a nationwide reorganization of French cantons.

### Geographic and Spatial Data
The commune is geographically positioned at latitude 43.860833333333 and longitude 7.2244444444444. These coordinates place it within the broader context of the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France. The entity is part of the country of France (Wikidata ID ), which spans Western Europe and includes overseas territories in the Americas, Africa, and Oceania. The specific location of Levens contributes to the diverse topography of the region, situated between the coastal areas and the mountainous interior of the French Alps.

### Demographic Statistics
Population records for Levens reveal a dynamic demographic history with multiple data points collected over time. The recorded population figures include 1,299, 1,422, 1,800, 2,686, 3,700, 4,427, 4,709, 4,726, 4,738, 4,741, 4,748, 4,761, 4,819, 4,963, 5,165, 5,366, and 5,377. These numbers indicate periods of growth and fluctuation, with the population reaching a peak of 5,377 in the most recent recorded data point. The data reflects the commune's role as a residential area within the Alpes-Maritimes, subject to the migration and settlement patterns typical of the region.

### Digital and Media Presence
Levens maintains a digital footprint through its official website at http://www.levens.fr, which serves as a primary information source for residents and visitors. The commune is represented visually on Wikimedia Commons via the file "Levens4.jpg," an image captured by artist Eric Coffinet. This image is licensed under the public domain, allowing for unrestricted use and distribution. The entity is also well-documented on Wikipedia under the title "Levens, Alpes-Maritimes," which has generated 45 sitelinks across different language editions, indicating its recognition in the global knowledge base.

### Historical Context and Relations
The administrative history of Levens is tied to the broader history of the French state and its territorial organization. The commune's existence dates back to the 1789 inception of the commune system, while its departmental affiliation, Alpes-Maritimes, dates to 1860. The dissolution of the canton of Levens in March 2015 marks a significant shift in its local governance structure, aligning it with the modern administrative map of France. The commune remains a constituent part of the arrondissement of Nice, maintaining its connection to the regional capital and the wider departmental network.

## References

1. Source
2. BnF authorities
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
5. INSEE code
6. [Source](https://archives06.fr/archives/archives/fonds/FRAD006_E-depot29)
7. répertoire géographique des communes
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Annuaire de service-public.fr
10. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
11. Populations légales 2016
12. Populations légales 2017
13. Populations légales 2018
14. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
15. Populations légales 2019
16. Populations légales 2020
17. Populations légales 2021
18. Populations de référence 2022
19. Populations de référence 2023
20. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
21. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
22. GeoNames
23. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
24. [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)
25. [Code officiel géographique. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
26. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
27. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File