# Maizy

> commune in Aisne, France

**Wikidata**: [Q387231](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q387231)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maizy)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/maizy

## Summary
Maizy is a commune located in the Aisne department of France, within the former canton of Neufchâtel-sur-Aisne and the arrondissement of Laon. It is a small rural municipality with a population fluctuating around 400 residents, recognized for its historical significance during World War I, as evidenced by its receipt of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 military decoration.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Commune in the Aisne department, France, within the arrondissement of Laon and formerly part of the canton of Neufchâtel-sur-Aisne.
- **Population**: Varied between 353 and 439 residents across different years, with recent counts including 439 (2018), 423 (2019), and 419 (2020).
- **Coordinates**: 49.376944444444° N, 3.7341666666667° E.
- **Administrative History**: Part of the canton of Neufchâtel-sur-Aisne until March 2015.
- **Awards**: Recipient of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration established on April 2, 1915.
- **Governance**: Operates as a commune, the smallest territorial subdivision in France, established in 1789.
- **Image**: Represented by a public domain photograph of the Maizy town hall (mairie), taken by Havang(nl) and available on Wikimedia Commons.
- **Wikidata Sitelinks**: 46 sitelinks, including a Wikipedia article titled "Maizy."

## FAQs
**Where is Maizy located?**
Maizy is a commune in the Aisne department of northern France, situated within the arrondissement of Laon. It was historically part of the canton of Neufchâtel-sur-Aisne until a 2015 administrative reorganization.

**What is the population of Maizy?**
The population of Maizy has fluctuated between approximately 350 and 440 residents in recent years. Recorded figures include 439 in 2018, 423 in 2019, and 419 in 2020, reflecting its status as a small rural municipality.

**Why is Maizy notable?**
Maizy is distinguished by its receipt of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a military decoration awarded to communities that suffered significant damage or demonstrated exceptional resistance during World War I. This honor highlights its historical role in the conflict.

**What administrative changes has Maizy undergone?**
Maizy was part of the canton of Neufchâtel-sur-Aisne until March 2015, when France reorganized its cantonal boundaries. It remains within the arrondissement of Laon and the Aisne department, which was established on March 4, 1790.

**What is the governance structure of Maizy?**
As a commune, Maizy is the smallest administrative division in France, governed by a municipal council and a mayor. Communes were introduced in 1789 during the French Revolution and are responsible for local services such as schools, roads, and public safety.

## Why It Matters
Maizy serves as a microcosm of rural French life and the enduring legacy of World War I in the Aisne department, a region heavily impacted by the conflict. Its receipt of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 underscores its historical significance, symbolizing the resilience of small communities during wartime. As part of the broader administrative framework of France, Maizy exemplifies the decentralized governance model that allows local municipalities to manage their affairs while contributing to the national identity. Its fluctuating but stable population reflects the challenges and opportunities faced by rural areas in modern France, making it a case study in demographic trends and local governance.

## Notable For
- **Croix de guerre 1914–1918**: Awarded for its role and suffering during World War I, marking it as a site of historical importance.
- **Rural Demography**: Represents a small but stable rural population, typical of many French communes outside urban centers.
- **Administrative History**: Part of the canton of Neufchâtel-sur-Aisne until 2015, illustrating the evolution of France’s local governance structures.
- **Geographical Location**: Situated in the Aisne department, a region known for its agricultural landscapes and historical battlefields.
- **Commune Status**: Operates as one of France’s 35,000+ communes, the foundational unit of local administration since 1789.

## Body
### Geography and Location
Maizy is located in the Aisne department of the Hauts-de-France region in northern France. Its coordinates are 49.376944444444° N latitude and 3.7341666666667° E longitude, placing it in a rural area characterized by agricultural landscapes and proximity to historical sites from World War I. The commune is part of the arrondissement of Laon, one of the five arrondissements in Aisne, and was previously included in the canton of Neufchâtel-sur-Aisne until the cantonal reorganization in March 2015.

### Population and Demographics
The population of Maizy has experienced minor fluctuations over the years, with recorded figures including:
- 439 residents (2018)
- 423 residents (2019)
- 419 residents (2020)
- 411 residents (2021)
- 403 residents (2022)
- 375 residents (earlier year, unspecified)
- 407 residents (another earlier year)
- 358 residents (another earlier year)
- 394 residents (another earlier year)
- 353 residents (another earlier year)
- 393 residents (another earlier year)
- 431 residents (another earlier year)
- 404 residents (two separate years)

These figures reflect the typical demographic patterns of small rural communes in France, where populations remain relatively stable but can vary due to factors such as migration, birth rates, and economic opportunities.

### Historical Significance
Maizy is notable for its role during World War I, a period that left a lasting impact on the Aisne department. The commune was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a military decoration established on April 2, 1915, to honor cities, villages, and military units that demonstrated exceptional bravery or suffered significant damage during the war. This award highlights Maizy’s historical importance and its contributions to France’s wartime efforts.

### Governance and Administration
As a commune, Maizy is governed under the framework established during the French Revolution in 1789. Communes are the smallest administrative divisions in France, responsible for local governance, including public services, infrastructure, and community development. Maizy is part of the Aisne department, which was created on March 4, 1790, and is further divided into arrondissements and cantons. The commune operates within the arrondissement of Laon, which oversees multiple cantons and communes in the region.

### Visual Representation
Maizy is visually represented by an image of its town hall (mairie), which is available under a public domain license (CC0). The photograph, taken by Havang(nl), is hosted on Wikimedia Commons and depicts the municipal building, a common symbol of local governance in French communes. The image serves as a visual identifier for Maizy and is often used in official and unofficial representations of the commune.

### Related Entities
- **Aisne Department**: The administrative department in which Maizy is located, established in 1790 and known for its historical and agricultural significance.
- **Arrondissement of Laon**: The broader administrative division that includes Maizy, responsible for overseeing multiple cantons and communes.
- **Canton of Neufchâtel-sur-Aisne**: The former cantonal division that included Maizy until the 2015 reorganization.
- **Croix de guerre 1914–1918**: The military decoration awarded to Maizy for its role in World War I, symbolizing its historical resilience.
- **Commune of France**: The administrative classification under which Maizy operates, representing the smallest unit of local governance in France.

### Additional Context
Maizy’s status as a commune places it within a broader network of over 35,000 similar municipalities across France. Each commune is responsible for managing its local affairs, including education, infrastructure, and public safety, while contributing to the broader administrative and cultural fabric of the country. The historical and demographic data associated with Maizy provide insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by rural communities in France, particularly in regions with deep historical ties to major conflicts like World War I.

## References

1. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/H1--0200)
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)