# Mazinghem

> commune in Pas-de-Calais, France

**Wikidata**: [Q1025351](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1025351)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazinghem)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mazinghem

## Summary
Mazinghem is a commune located in the Pas-de-Calais department within the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. Situated in the arrondissement of Béthune and the canton of Norrent-Fontes, it is a small municipality with a population fluctuating between approximately 457 and 485 residents in recent years. The entity is geographically defined by coordinates 50.603055555556° N, 2.4047222222222° E and is administratively part of the French territorial subdivision system established in 1789.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune (municipal subdivision of France).
- **Location**: Pas-de-Calais department, France.
- **Administrative Hierarchy**: Part of the arrondissement of Béthune and the canton of Norrent-Fontes.
- **Country**: France (Official name: République française).
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 50.603055555556, Longitude 2.4047222222222.
- **Population Data**: Recorded figures include 483, 479, 485, 474, 471, 469, 466, 462, 458, and 457 across various census periods.
- **Establishment Context**: As a commune, it falls under the French territorial subdivision system with an inception date of 1789.
- **Department Inception**: Pas-de-Calais department created on March 4, 1790.
- **Image Source**: A photograph of the town hall (mairie) is available, credited to artist Havang(nl) under a CC0 (public domain) license.
- **Wikidata Presence**: The entity has a sitelink count of 44 and is identified by the Wikipedia title "Mazinghem".
- **Image File**: `Mazinghem_(Pas-de-Calais)_mairie.JPG` hosted on Wikimedia Commons.

## FAQs
**Where exactly is Mazinghem located within the French administrative structure?**
Mazinghem is a commune situated in the Pas-de-Calais department, which is part of the arrondissement of Béthune and the canton of Norrent-Fontes. It exists within the broader framework of France, a country in Western Europe with overseas territories.

**What is the population size of Mazinghem?**
The population of Mazinghem is small, with recorded census figures ranging from a low of 457 to a high of 485 residents. Specific data points include counts of 483, 479, 474, 471, 469, 466, 462, and 458, reflecting minor fluctuations over time.

**What visual documentation exists for this commune?**
A public domain image of the Mazinghem town hall (mairie) is available on Wikimedia Commons. The photograph was taken by the artist Havang(nl) and is licensed under CC0, allowing for unrestricted use.

**How does Mazinghem fit into the history of French local governance?**
As a commune, Mazinghem is part of the oldest level of French territorial subdivision, a system that originated in 1789. It operates under the jurisdiction of the Pas-de-Calais department, which was formally established on March 4, 1790.

## Why It Matters
Mazinghem serves as a representative example of the rural administrative fabric of northern France, illustrating the granular structure of the French Republic's local governance. While small in population, its existence is integral to the continuity of the commune system, which dates back to the French Revolution of 1789. The entity connects to broader historical and political narratives through its placement in the Pas-de-Calais department, a region with significant industrial and agricultural history. Its documentation, including specific geographic coordinates and municipal imagery, contributes to the global knowledge base regarding French geography and local administration.

## Notable For
- **Administrative Precision**: Defined by exact coordinates (50.603055555556° N, 2.4047222222222° E) within the Pas-de-Calais department.
- **Historical Continuity**: Functions as a commune under the French system established in 1789, with its parent department founded in 1790.
- **Visual Record**: Possesses a specific, high-quality public domain image of its town hall credited to Havang(nl).
- **Demographic Stability**: Maintains a consistent, small-scale population hovering around 460–480 residents.
- **Hierarchical Integration**: Clearly nested within the canton of Norrent-Fontes and the arrondissement of Béthune.
- **Digital Presence**: Maintains a dedicated Wikipedia page and a significant number of interwiki links (44 sitelinks).

## Body

### Geographic and Administrative Positioning
Mazinghem is geographically anchored at latitude 50.603055555556 and longitude 2.4047222222222. It is located within the Pas-de-Calais department, a territorial entity created on March 4, 1790. Administratively, the commune falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Béthune and the canton of Norrent-Fontes. As a commune, it represents the fundamental unit of French local administration, a system that traces its inception to the year 1789. The entity is part of France, a country primarily located in Western Europe but extending its sovereignty to territories in the Americas, Africa, and Oceania.

### Demographic Profile
The population of Mazinghem is characterized by small numbers, with historical census data showing a range between 457 and 485 inhabitants. Specific recorded population figures include 483, 479, 485, 474, 471, 469, 466, 462, 458, and 457. These figures indicate a stable, low-density residential community typical of rural French communes. The data reflects the demographic reality of the specific time periods in which these counts were taken, contributing to the statistical understanding of the Pas-de-Calais region.

### Visual and Digital Documentation
A visual record of the commune exists in the form of a photograph depicting the town hall (mairie). This image, titled `Mazinghem_(Pas-de-Calais)_mairie.JPG`, is hosted on Wikimedia Commons. The photograph was created by the artist Havang(nl) and is released under a CC0 license, placing it in the public domain. This visual asset is linked to the entity's Wikipedia page, titled "Mazinghem," which serves as the primary informational hub for the commune. The entity currently holds a sitelink count of 44, indicating its presence across various language editions of Wikipedia and other connected knowledge bases.

### Historical and Legal Context
The status of Mazinghem as a commune is rooted in the French Revolution, with the commune system officially originating in 1789. The department of Pas-de-Calais, which contains Mazinghem, was established shortly thereafter on March 4, 1790. These dates mark the formal integration of the area into the modern French state structure. The entity operates under the legal and administrative framework of the French Republic, which includes a semi-presidential system, a unitary state structure, and a decentralized administration. The commune is subject to the national laws and regulations of France, including the use of the Euro as currency and the French language as the official tongue.

### Regional Connections
Mazinghem is inextricably linked to its surrounding administrative divisions. It is a constituent part of the canton of Norrent-Fontes and the arrondissement of Béthune. These subdivisions serve as intermediate levels of governance between the commune and the department. The Pas-de-Calais department itself is a significant entity with 104 sitelinks, reflecting its broader importance in French geography and history. Through these connections, Mazinghem participates in the wider political, economic, and social networks of the Hauts-de-France region and the nation of France.

## 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. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)