# Mont-Saint-Jean

> commune in Aisne, France

**Wikidata**: [Q870962](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q870962)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont-Saint-Jean,_Aisne)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mont-saint-jean-q870962-2

## Summary

Mont-Saint-Jean is a commune located in the Aisne department of northern France, situated in the Picardy region. It belongs to the arrondissement of Vervins and was historically part of the canton of Aubenton until March 2015. The commune sits at coordinates 49.789722222222°N latitude and 4.2075°E longitude.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Aisne department, Picardy region, northern France
- **Administrative status**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision for municipalities)
- **Inception as commune**: 1789 (established as part of France's municipal territorial organization)
- **Arrondissement**: Vervins
- **Former canton**: Aubenton (until March 2015)
- **Department inception**: March 4, 1790 (Aisne department established)
- **Country**: France
- **Coordinates**: 49.789722222222°N, 4.2075°E
- **Population**: Historical figures include 77, 67, 73, 75, 74, 96, 82, 77, 82, 76, 70, 79, 74, 73, 83, 81, 79 (various census years)
- **Wikipedia title**: Mont-Saint-Jean, Aisne
- **Wikidata description**: commune in Aisne, France
- **Sitelink count**: 46

## FAQs

**What region is Mont-Saint-Jean located in?**

Mont-Saint-Jean is located in the Aisne department in the Picardy region of northern France. It falls within the arrondissement of Vervins.

**What administrative changes affected Mont-Saint-Jean?**

Mont-Saint-Jean was part of the canton of Aubenton until March 2015, when French administrative boundaries were reorganized. The commune structure itself dates back to 1789 as part of France's municipal territorial organization.

**What are the geographical coordinates of Mont-Saint-Jean?**

Mont-Saint-Jean is situated at latitude 49.789722222222°N and longitude 4.2075°E, placing it in the northern part of France near the border with Belgium.

**What type of administrative division is Mont-Saint-Jean?**

Mont-Saint-Jean is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. The commune system was established in 1789 as part of the French Revolution's administrative reforms.

**When was the Aisne department established?**

The Aisne department was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution as part of the initial division of France into departments.

## Why It Matters

Mont-Saint-Jean represents the traditional French communal structure that forms the foundation of local governance in France. As one of the thousands of communes that make up the French administrative landscape, it embodies the decentralized approach to governance that France has maintained since the Revolution of 1789. The commune system allows for local administration while remaining integrated into larger regional and departmental structures.

The historical context of Mont-Saint-Jean is significant because it reflects the continuity of French municipal organization through centuries of political change. Its location in the Picardy region places it in an area of France that has been shaped by centuries of European history, including conflicts between France and neighboring powers. The commune's inclusion in the canton of Aubenton until 2015 demonstrates how administrative boundaries in France have evolved to optimize local governance, with consolidations occurring in the 21st century to improve efficiency.

The population figures recorded for Mont-Saint-Jean, ranging from 67 to 96 residents across various census periods, reflect the demographic patterns typical of rural communes in northern France. These small communities form the backbone of French territorial organization and maintain traditional cultural and administrative functions.

## Notable For

- Historical membership in the canton of Aubenton (until 2015)
- Location in the Picardy region of northern France
- Part of the arrondissement of Vervins
- Coordinates placing it in the northern French agricultural landscape

## Body

### Geography and Location

Mont-Saint-Jean is situated in the northern French department of Aisne, which is part of the Picardy region (now part of Hauts-de-France). The commune is located at coordinates 49.789722222222°N latitude and 4.2075°E longitude. This positioning places it in a rural area of northern France, characterized by agricultural land and small communities. The commune's location in the Picardy region places it within reasonable distance of the Belgian border, reflecting the historical interactions between French and neighboring territories in this border region.

### Administrative History

The commune of Mont-Saint-Jean was established in 1789, coinciding with the French Revolution and the comprehensive reorganization of France's administrative structure. This revolutionary transformation replaced the old provincial system with a rational, uniform territorial division based on departments, arrondissements, and communes. The commune system has remained largely stable since its inception, serving as the fundamental unit of local government in France.

Mont-Saint-Jean was historically part of the canton of Aubenton, an administrative division that grouped multiple communes together for electoral and administrative purposes. This arrangement continued until March 2015, when France underwent another significant administrative reorganization that modified the structure of cantons throughout the country. The canton of Aubenton, with its 16 sitelinks in Wikipedia documentation, represented a specific territorial unit within the broader administrative framework of the Aisne department.

### Departmental Context

Mont-Saint-Jean belongs to the department of Aisne, which was created on March 4, 1790. The department was formed during the initial division of France into 83 departments, a revolutionary reform that aimed to create uniform administrative units based on geography rather than historical provinces. The department is named after the Aisne River, which flows through the region.

Aisne is part of the arrondissement of Vervins, one of the administrative divisions within the department. The arrondissement system in France serves as an intermediate level of administration between the department and the commune. The arrondissement of Vervins, with 34 documented sitelinks, encompasses the northern portion of the Aisne department and includes numerous communes similar to Mont-Saint-Jean.

### Population and Demographics

The population data for Mont-Saint-Jean shows variation across different census periods, with recorded figures of 77, 67, 73, 75, 74, 96, 82, 77, 82, 76, 70, 79, 74, 73, 83, 81, and 79. These figures represent the population at different points in time, reflecting the demographic fluctuations common in rural French communes. The population has remained relatively stable, generally hovering between 70 and 80 residents, with occasional peaks such as the 96 recorded in one census period.

This population size is characteristic of small rural communes in the Picardy region, where agricultural communities have maintained modest but consistent populations. The demographic patterns reflect broader trends in rural France, where many small communes have experienced stability or slight decline as populations have concentrated in urban areas.

### Relationship to French Administrative System

As a commune of France, Mont-Saint-Jean represents the lowest level of territorial administration in the French system. The commune, a concept unique to French administrative organization, dates to the revolutionary period of 1789 when the old municipal structures were replaced with a uniform system of local government. Today, France contains over 35,000 communes, ranging from major cities like Paris to small rural communities like Mont-Saint-Jean.

The commune enjoys a degree of local autonomy while being integrated into larger administrative structures. At the departmental level, Mont-Saint-Jean falls under the jurisdiction of the Aisne department, which provides various public services and administrative oversight. The departmental system, established in 1790, has proven remarkably durable, with the original 83 departments (though now expanded to 101) continuing to serve as fundamental administrative units.

### Regional Context

Mont-Saint-Jean is located in Picardy, a historical region of northern France known for its agricultural productivity, historical significance, and distinctive cultural heritage. The region has been shaped by its position as a border area between France and neighboring territories, experiencing numerous conflicts throughout European history. Today, Picardy is part of the larger Hauts-de-France administrative region.

The commune's position within the arrondissement of Vervins places it in the northern portion of the Aisne department. Vervins serves as a subprefecture, administering local affairs for the surrounding communes. This administrative structure reflects France's hierarchical organization of territorial units, from regions down to communes.

### Connection to Broader French Infrastructure

While Mont-Saint-Jean itself is a small commune, it is connected to the broader French administrative and institutional framework. As part of France, it operates within the country's semi-presidential system, follows French law, and participates in national democratic processes. The commune would be served by French national services including education, healthcare, and transportation infrastructure.

The French administrative tradition emphasizes both local autonomy and national coherence. Communes like Mont-Saint-Jean maintain local mayors and municipal councils while being part of departmental and regional structures that provide additional services and coordination. This system allows for local decision-making while ensuring uniform standards and services across the country.

## References

1. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
2. INSEE code
3. répertoire géographique des communes
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Annuaire de service-public.fr
6. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
7. Populations légales 2016
8. Populations légales 2017
9. Populations légales 2018
10. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
11. Populations légales 2019
12. Populations légales 2020
13. Populations légales 2021
14. Populations de référence 2022
15. Populations de référence 2023
16. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
17. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
18. GeoNames
19. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
20. [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)
21. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)