# Macquigny

> commune in Aisne, France

**Wikidata**: [Q1020191](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1020191)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macquigny)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/macquigny

## Summary

Macquigny is a commune located in the Aisne department of northern France, situated in the arrondissement of Vervins. The municipality is part of the historical territory of Picardy and was recognized with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 military decoration for its suffering during World War I.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Macquigny is a commune in the Aisne department (inception: March 4, 1790), France
- **Administrative Division**: Belongs to the arrondissement of Vervins
- **Country**: France
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 49.885°, Longitude 3.5516666666667°
- **Type of Entity**: Commune of France (municipal territorial subdivision, inception: 1789)
- **Wikipedia Title**: Macquigny
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Aisne, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 44
- **Military Recognition**: Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (French military decoration, inception: April 2, 1915)
- **Population**: Historical population figures recorded include values ranging from 346 to 515 residents across various census periods

## FAQs

**What type of administrative region is Macquigny?**

Macquigny is a commune, which is the smallest administrative territorial subdivision in France for municipalities. Communes are similar to towns or parishes and serve as the fundamental unit of local government in France.

**Which department and arrondissement does Macquigny belong to?**

Macquigny is located in the Aisne department of France, which was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. It falls within the arrondissement of Vervins, one of the administrative divisions within the department.

**What is the geographical location of Macquigny?**

Macquigny is situated at coordinates 49.885° latitude and 3.5516666666667° longitude, placing it in the northern region of France known as Picardy, near the border with Belgium.

**Did Macquigny receive any military honors?**

Yes, Macquigny was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915, recognizing municipalities that suffered damage during World War I.

**What is the historical context of communes in France?**

The commune as an administrative unit was established in 1789 during the French Revolution, replacing the previous system of parishes and municipalities. France currently has approximately 35,000 communes, making it one of the most decentralized systems in Europe.

## Why It Matters

Macquigny represents the small rural communes that form the backbone of French territorial administration. While not a major urban center, such communes are essential to understanding France's decentralized governmental structure and the preservation of local heritage. The awarding of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 signifies that Macquigny, like many communities in the Somme and Aisne regions, bore significant suffering during World War I — particularly during the Battle of the Somme and the German spring offensive of 1918. The commune's inclusion in the historical record demonstrates how even smaller municipalities played roles in broader regional and national narratives, particularly in a department that saw some of the most intense fighting along the Western Front. Understanding Macquigny contributes to comprehending the human and territorial dimensions of French history, particularly the impact of war on civilian communities and the subsequent reconstruction efforts that shaped modern France.

## Notable For

- Being recognized with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for World War I suffering
- Located in the Aisne department, one of the most heavily contested regions during World War I
- Part of the arrondissement of Vervins, maintaining administrative continuity since the French Revolution
- Representing the typical small French commune structure that has existed since 1789

## Body

### Geography and Location

Macquigny is situated in the northern French department of Aisne, which is part of the Hauts-de-France region (historically known as Picardy). The commune lies at coordinates 49.885° latitude and 3.5516666666667° longitude, positioning it in the northeastern part of France, relatively close to the Belgian border. The terrain of the Aisne department is characterized by rolling hills, forests, and river valleys, with the Aisne River and its tributaries playing significant roles in the local geography. This region was strategically important throughout European history due to its proximity to key transportation routes between France and Belgium.

### Administrative History

Macquigny exists within the French administrative system that was fundamentally restructured during the French Revolution. The department of Aisne was created on March 4, 1790, as part of the new administrative division of France into departments. The commune system itself was established in 1789, replacing the earlier parochial system. Macquigny falls under the arrondissement of Vervins, which serves as an intermediate administrative level between the department and the commune. This administrative structure has remained largely stable since the early days of the French Republic, though some adjustments to arrondissements have occurred over time.

### Historical Context and Military Recognition

The Croix de guerre 1914–1918 awarded to Macquigny places the commune among the French municipalities recognized for their suffering during World War I. The decoration was instituted on April 2, 1915, by the French government to recognize towns and villages that had been damaged through enemy action. The Aisne department was the site of some of the most brutal fighting of the Great War, including the First Battle of the Somme (1916) and the German Spring Offensive (1918). Many communes in this region were virtually destroyed during four years of trench warfare, and the Croix de guerre serves as permanent testimony to the hardships endured by civilian populations. The recognition of Macquigny with this award indicates that the commune experienced significant damage or casualties during this period.

### Demographic Profile

Based on the historical population data available, Macquigny has maintained the characteristics of a small rural French commune. The population figures recorded across various census periods show fluctuations between approximately 346 and 515 residents. These numbers are consistent with the demographic profile of rural communes in the Picardy region, where population decline has been observed in recent decades due to urbanization and rural flight. Small communes like Macquigny typically serve as residential areas for workers in nearby larger towns or cities, or for those employed in agricultural activities.

### Relationship to Larger Administrative Entities

Macquigny is part of a hierarchical administrative structure that includes multiple levels of governance. At the base is the commune itself, which is overseen by a mayor and municipal council. Several communes are grouped into arrondissements, and Macquigny falls within the arrondissement of Vervins. The arrondissement is itself part of the department of Aisne, which is administered by a prefect and a departmental council. At the regional level, Aisne belongs to Hauts-de-France, one of France's 18 administrative regions. This multi-layered system reflects France's unitary state structure, where local administration is coordinated by national government while maintaining significant local autonomy.

### Connection to French National Context

As a commune of France, Macquigny participates in the broader French system of local government and benefits from the constitutional framework of the Fifth Republic. France, as described in the related knowledge entry, is a semi-presidential republic with a unitary structure. The country's administrative organization into communes, departments, and regions represents a balance between national coordination and local self-governance. Macquigny, despite its small size, maintains the same fundamental administrative status as larger cities like Paris or Marseille, reflecting the French principle of administrative equality among municipalities regardless of population.

## References

1. [Sandre](http://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/H---0100)
2. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
3. INSEE code
4. répertoire géographique des communes
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. Annuaire de service-public.fr
7. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
8. Populations légales 2016
9. Populations légales 2017
10. Populations légales 2018
11. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
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. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)