# Mas-Saintes-Puelles

> commune in Aude, France

**Wikidata**: [Q608287](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q608287)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mas-Saintes-Puelles)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mas-saintes-puelles

## Summary
Mas-Saintes-Puelles is a commune located in the Aude department of southern France. It is part of the arrondissement of Carcassonne and historically belonged to the canton of Castelnaudary-Sud. The municipality lies near the Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is representative of the small rural communes in the region.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name**: Mas-Saintes-Puelles
- **Aliases**: Le Mas-l'Union, Le Mas-Saintes-Puelles
- **Type**: Commune of France
- **Country**: France
- **Region**: Occitanie
- **Department**: Aude
- **Arrondissement**: Carcassonne
- **Historical Canton**: Castelnaudary-Sud (until March 2015)
- **Population (recent estimates)**: 900, 911, 940, 922, 924, 682, 617, 640, 720, 805, 876, 906, 927, 929, 933, 937, 923
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 43.313055555556, Longitude 1.8766666666667
- **Website**: [http://www.mas-saintes-puelles.fr](http://www.mas-saintes-puelles.fr)
- **Proximity**: Near the Canal du Midi
- **Inception**: As a modern commune, established under the French municipal system dating to 1789
- **Wikipedia Title**: Mas-Saintes-Puelles
- **Wikidata Description**: Commune in Aude, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 40

## FAQs
**What is Mas-Saintes-Puelles?**  
Mas-Saintes-Puelles is a commune in the Aude department in the Occitanie region of southern France. It is a small rural community located in the historical canton of Castelnaudary-Sud and part of the arrondissement of Carcassonne.

**Where is Mas-Saintes-Puelles located?**  
It is situated in the Aude department, within the arrondissement of Carcassonne, near the Canal du Midi, a major historical and cultural landmark in southern France.

**What is the population of Mas-Saintes-Puelles?**  
The population has varied in recent years, with recorded figures including 900, 911, 940, 922, 924, 682, 617, 640, 720, 805, 876, 906, 927, 929, 933, 937, and 923.

**What administrative region does it belong to?**  
Mas-Saintes-Puelles is part of the Aude department in the Occitanie region of France. It is within the arrondissement of Carcassonne and was formerly part of the canton of Castelnaudary-Sud.

**What is its connection to the Canal du Midi?**  
The commune is located near the Canal du Midi, a historic waterway and UNESCO World Heritage site that runs through southern France.

## Why It Matters
Mas-Saintes-Puelles represents the rural fabric of the Aude department and contributes to the cultural and geographic identity of the region. As part of the broader Occitanie area, it reflects the historical and administrative evolution of French local governance. Its proximity to the Canal du Midi links it to a globally recognized feat of engineering and cultural heritage. The commune, while small, plays a role in the decentralized structure of France’s territorial organization and contributes to the demographic and geographic diversity of the Aude.

## Notable For
- **Proximity to the Canal du Midi**: Positioned near one of France's most iconic historical landmarks.
- **Part of the arrondissement of Carcassonne**: Embedded within a historically significant administrative region.
- **Historical Canton Affiliation**: Formerly part of the canton of Castelnaudary-Sud.
- **Fluctuating Population**: Reflects demographic changes typical of small rural communes in France.
- **Rural Character**: Represents the small-scale, community-based structure of French rural life.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Mas-Saintes-Puelles is a commune located in the Aude department in the southern region of France, specifically within the Occitanie administrative region. It is part of the arrondissement of Carcassonne, a historically rich area known for its proximity to the medieval city of Carcassonne. The commune lies near the Canal du Midi, a 17th-century waterway that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The canal is a major cultural and historical landmark, and its presence contributes to the regional identity of Mas-Saintes-Puelles.

The geographic coordinates of Mas-Saintes-Puelles are approximately latitude 43.313 and longitude 1.877, placing it in the heart of the Languedoc plains, an area known for its agricultural activity and historical significance.

### Administrative Context
As a commune of France, Mas-Saintes-Puelles is part of the country's decentralized administrative structure, which was formalized during the French Revolution in 1789. It belongs to the Aude department, which was created on March 4, 1790. The commune is also part of the arrondissement of Carcassonne, one of the administrative divisions within Aude. Prior to 2015, it was part of the canton of Castelnaudary-Sud, which was reorganized as part of France's broader administrative reforms.

### Demographics and Population
The population of Mas-Saintes-Puelles has fluctuated in recent years, with recorded figures including 900, 911, 940, 922, 924, 682, 617, 640, 720, 805, 876, 906, 927, 929, 933, 937, and 923. These variations are typical of small rural communes in France, which often experience demographic shifts due to migration, economic changes, and aging populations.

### Cultural and Historical Context
Mas-Saintes-Puelles is part of a region steeped in history, particularly due to its proximity to the Canal du Midi. Constructed between 1667 and 1681, the canal is a masterpiece of engineering and a symbol of cultural heritage. The commune benefits from its association with this landmark, which draws tourists and historians alike.

The area also reflects the broader historical evolution of French administrative divisions, particularly the role of cantons and arrondissements in local governance. The commune's historical ties to the canton of Castelnaudary-Sud highlight its integration into the regional identity of the Aude.

### Governance and Local Identity
As a commune, Mas-Saintes-Puelles operates under the broader framework of French local governance, which emphasizes municipal autonomy within a centralized state structure. The commune maintains a local council and mayor, who oversee local affairs such as infrastructure, education, and cultural initiatives. The official website of the commune, [mas-saintes-puelles.fr](http://www.mas-saintes-puelles.fr), serves as a hub for local information and civic engagement.

### Related Entities and Connections
- **Aude**: The department to which Mas-Saintes-Puelles belongs, established in 1790.
- **Arrondissement of Carcassonne**: The administrative division overseeing the commune.
- **Canton of Castelnaudary-Sud**: Formerly the canton to which the commune belonged until 2015.
- **Canal du Midi**: A nearby UNESCO World Heritage site that enhances the cultural significance of the region.
- **France**: The overarching nation-state, with a complex administrative structure that includes communes like Mas-Saintes-Puelles.

### Conclusion
Mas-Saintes-Puelles is a small but significant part of the French rural landscape. Its location near the Canal du Midi, its administrative ties to the Aude department and Carcassonne arrondissement, and its fluctuating but stable population make it a representative example of the decentralized and historically rich structure of French local governance. While it may not be a major urban center, its role in the regional identity and its connection to national heritage landmarks underscore its relevance in the broader context of French geography and culture.

## References

1. BnF authorities
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. [Source](http://cassini.ehess.fr/cassini/fr/html/fiche.php?select_resultat=21533)
19. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
20. GeoNames
21. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
22. [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)
23. [Code officiel géographique. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
24. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)