# Mercatel

> commune in Pas-de-Calais, France

**Wikidata**: [Q470028](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q470028)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercatel)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mercatel

## Summary
Mercatel is a commune located in the Pas-de-Calais department within the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. It is administratively part of the arrondissement of Arras and the canton of Beaumetz-lès-Loges, falling under the jurisdiction of the Communauté urbaine d'Arras. The entity is recognized as a standard French territorial subdivision with a population fluctuating between approximately 620 and 730 residents in recent census records.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France (territorial subdivision for municipalities).
- **Location**: Pas-de-Calais department, France.
- **Administrative Hierarchy**: Part of the arrondissement of Arras and the canton of Beaumetz-lès-Loges.
- **Intercommunal Structure**: Member of the Communauté urbaine d'Arras (established January 1, 2013).
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 50.235555555556, Longitude 2.7958333333333.
- **Population History**: Recorded values include 620, 663, 683, 697, 707, 716, 726, 725, 726, and 730.
- **Official Website**: http://www.mercatel.fr.
- **Wikipedia Title**: Mercatel.
- **Wikidata Description**: Commune in Pas-de-Calais, France.
- **Sitelink Count**: 45.
- **National Context**: Located in France, a country with origins tracing back to West Francia (843 AD) and the First French Empire (1804).
- **Departmental Context**: Situated in Pas-de-Calais, a French department created on March 4, 1790.
- **Award Association**: The commune is associated with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration established on April 2, 1915.

## FAQs
**What is the administrative status of Mercatel within the French government?**
Mercatel functions as a commune, which is the lowest level of administrative division in France. It is situated within the Pas-de-Calais department and falls under the arrondissement of Arras and the canton of Beaumetz-lès-Loges.

**Which intercommunal organization does Mercatel belong to?**
The commune is a member of the Communauté urbaine d'Arras, an urban community that was established on January 1, 2013. This body coordinates services and development across multiple municipalities in the Arras area.

**What are the geographic coordinates and population trends of the commune?**
Mercatel is located at latitude 50.235555555556 and longitude 2.7958333333333. Its population has been recorded at various points ranging from a low of 620 to a high of 730, reflecting minor fluctuations over recent census periods.

**Is there a specific military award associated with Mercatel?**
Yes, the commune is linked to the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration created on April 2, 1915, to honor acts of bravery during World War I.

## Why It Matters
Mercatel serves as a fundamental unit of local governance within the French Republic, exemplifying the decentralized administrative structure that defines the nation's territorial organization. As a member of the Communauté urbaine d'Arras, it plays a role in regional planning and resource sharing, contributing to the economic and social cohesion of the Arras metropolitan area. Its inclusion in the Pas-de-Calais department connects it to a broader historical and cultural context, including the legacy of World War I, evidenced by its association with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918. For researchers and data systems, Mercatel represents a specific data point in the vast network of French communes, providing granular demographic and geographic information essential for regional analysis.

## Notable For
- **Administrative Precision**: A clearly defined commune within the specific hierarchy of the arrondissement of Arras and canton of Beaumetz-lès-Loges.
- **Intercommunal Integration**: Active participation in the Communauté urbaine d'Arras since its inception in 2013.
- **Historical Recognition**: Association with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, linking the locality to significant 20th-century military history.
- **Demographic Stability**: A consistent population range between 620 and 730 residents across multiple recorded census years.
- **Digital Presence**: Maintenance of an official website at http://www.mercatel.fr for local information dissemination.
- **Geographic Specificity**: Precise location markers at 50.235555555556° N, 2.7958333333333° E within the Pas-de-Calais region.

## Body

### Administrative Structure and Hierarchy
Mercatel operates as a commune, the primary territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. This status was formalized as part of the broader French administrative system established in 1789. The commune is geographically and politically situated within the Pas-de-Calais department, which was created on March 4, 1790. Administratively, it is nested within the arrondissement of Arras and the canton of Beaumetz-lès-Loges. On a broader intercommunal level, Mercatel is a constituent member of the Communauté urbaine d'Arras. This urban community was established on January 1, 2013, and serves as a hub for regional industry and governance, with its headquarters located in the city of Arras.

### Geographic and Demographic Data
The commune is located at precise geographic coordinates of latitude 50.235555555556 and longitude 2.7958333333333. Demographic records indicate a fluctuating but relatively stable population. Specific recorded population figures include 620, 663, 683, 697, 707, 716, 726, 725, 726, and 730. These figures reflect the commune's status as a small to medium-sized rural or semi-rural settlement within the Pas-de-Calais region. The entity is cataloged in Wikidata with the description "commune in Pas-de-Calais, France" and holds a sitelink count of 45, indicating its presence across various language editions of Wikipedia and related knowledge bases.

### Historical Context and Recognition
While specific local founding dates for the commune itself are not detailed in the provided source, its context is deeply rooted in French history. The commune is associated with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915. This association suggests that the territory or its inhabitants were recognized for valor during the First World War. The broader region of Pas-de-Calais and the department of France itself trace their administrative origins to the revolutionary period (1790) and the national state's evolution from West Francia (843) through the First French Empire (1804).

### Digital and Informational Presence
Mercatel maintains an official digital presence through its website, accessible at http://www.mercatel.fr. This platform serves as the primary source of information for residents and visitors regarding local services and news. In the realm of structured data, the entity is identified by the Wikipedia title "Mercatel" and is described in Wikidata as a commune in Pas-de-Calais, France. The entity's digital footprint is further evidenced by a sitelink count of 45, demonstrating its integration into the global knowledge graph.

### Regional Integration and Governance
As part of the Communauté urbaine d'Arras, Mercatel participates in a collective governance structure that manages shared resources and development strategies. The urban community, founded on January 1, 2013, focuses on industry and urban planning, with its headquarters situated in Arras. This integration allows Mercatel to benefit from regional initiatives while maintaining its status as an autonomous commune. The commune's position within the canton of Beaumetz-lès-Loges and the arrondissement of Arras ensures it is represented in the departmental and regional political frameworks 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. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
23. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)