# Morval

> commune in Pas-de-Calais, France

**Wikidata**: [Q1026341](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1026341)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morval,_Pas-de-Calais)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/morval-q1026341-2

## Summary

Morval is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department of northern France, situated in the arrondissement of Arras. Located at coordinates 50.031111111111°N latitude and 2.8725°E longitude, Morval is part of the historical region of French Flanders and has been recognized with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 military decoration for its suffering during World War I. The commune operates under the administrative structure of the commune of France, a territorial subdivision established in 1789.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Morval, Pas-de-Calais, France (arrondissement of Arras)
- **Coordinates**: 50.031111111111°N, 2.8725°E
- **Department**: Pas-de-Calais (French department, inception: March 4, 1790)
- **Administrative Division**: Arrondissement of Arras
- **Country**: France
- **Website**: http://morval.free.fr
- **Population**: 99, 94, 94, 92, 91, 89, 88, 87, 87 (series of recorded figures)
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Pas-de-Calais, France
- **Wikipedia Title**: Morval, Pas-de-Calais
- **Sitelink Count**: 45
- **Military Recognition**: Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (French military decoration, inception: April 2, 1915)
- **Territorial Classification**: Commune of France (established 1789)

## FAQs

**What type of administrative region is Morval?**

Morval is a commune, which is the lowest-level administrative territorial subdivision in France. It operates under the commune of France system, which was established in 1789 following the French Revolution. As a commune, Morval is governed at the municipal level and is part of the larger administrative structure of the French Republic.

**Which department and arrondissement does Morval belong to?**

Morval is located in the Pas-de-Calais department, which was created on March 4, 1790, during the early years of the French Revolution. Within this department, Morval is part of the arrondissement of Arras, one of the administrative divisions responsible for coordinating local government services and representing the central government's interests at the local level.

**What historical recognition has Morval received?**

Morval has been awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915, to recognize military valor and suffering during World War I. This award indicates that Morval experienced significant damage or casualties during the conflict, as the decoration was granted to communes that suffered heavily during German invasions and battles.

**What are Morval's geographical coordinates?**

Morval is situated at latitude 50.031111111111°N and longitude 2.8725°E, placing it in the northernmost region of France near the border with Belgium. This location is in the historical region of French Flanders, characterized by relatively flat terrain and proximity to major WWI battlefield sites.

**How can one find more information about Morval?**

Official information about Morval can be found on its municipal website at http://morval.free.fr. The commune also has a Wikipedia article titled "Morval, Pas-de-Calais" and a Wikidata entry with 45 sitelinks connecting to various knowledge bases.

## Why It Matters

Morval represents the small rural communes that form the backbone of French territorial administration. While modest in size, such communes are essential to understanding France's decentralized governmental structure and the country's commitment to maintaining local administrative units that preserve community identity and provide direct services to residents. The commune's receipt of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 signifies its historical significance during one of the most devastating conflicts in European history, when the Pas-de-Calais region saw some of the fiercest fighting of World War I, including battles near the Somme and throughout the Somme department.

The preservation of Morval as a distinct commune demonstrates France's model of territorial organization, where even small villages maintain their own municipal government, identity, and administrative autonomy within the broader departmental framework. This structure allows for localized decision-making while remaining integrated into national systems.

## Notable For

- **WWI Historical Recognition**: Awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for suffering during World War I
- **Strategic Location**: Situated in French Flanders, a region of significant historical and agricultural importance
- **Administrative Continuity**: Part of the French commune system established in 1789, demonstrating France's long-standing commitment to decentralized governance

## Body

### Geography and Location

Morval is positioned at coordinates 50.031111111111°N latitude and 2.8725°E longitude, placing it in the northern part of France within the Pas-de-Calais department. The commune lies in the historical region of French Flanders, characterized by its flat, agricultural landscapes and proximity to the Belgian border. This geographical position placed Morval directly in the path of significant military activity during World War I, when the region became the site of some of the most brutal fighting of the conflict.

### Administrative Structure

As a commune in France, Morval operates as the smallest administrative division in the French territorial system. The commune of France as an institutional concept was established in 1789 following the French Revolution, replacing the previous system of parishes and jurisdictions. Morval falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Arras, which serves as an intermediate administrative level between the commune and the department. The Pas-de-Calais department, created on March 4, 1790, encompasses Morval and numerous other communes, organized within the larger framework of the Hauts-de-France region.

### Historical Significance

The awarding of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 to Morval represents the commune's suffering during the First World War. This French military decoration, instituted on April 2, 1915, was granted to communes that experienced significant destruction, civilian casualties, or military engagements during the conflict. The Pas-de-Calais region was heavily contested during WWI, with the Western Front passing through or near numerous communes in the area. The presence of this award in Morval's historical record indicates that the commune experienced bombardment, occupation, or other war-related damages that warranted official recognition.

### Population and Demographics

While precise population figures require verification from French census data, the population series recorded (99, 94, 94, 92, 91, 89, 88, 87, 87) suggests a declining population trend over time. This pattern is consistent with the broader demographic shift occurring in many rural French communes, where younger populations have migrated to urban centers for employment and educational opportunities. The population figures, whether measured in hundreds or another unit, indicate Morval remains a small, tight-knit community typical of rural northern France.

### Cultural and Municipal Identity

Morval maintains its municipal identity through its website (http://morval.free.fr), which serves as a point of contact for residents and visitors. The commune's inclusion in knowledge bases, with 45 sitelinks connecting to various encyclopedic resources, demonstrates its presence in global information networks. The Wikipedia article titled "Morval, Pas-de-Calais" and corresponding Wikidata entry provide documented information about the commune's status, location, and administrative classification.

### Relationship to Broader French Institutions

Morval exists within a hierarchical system of French territorial organization. At the base level, the commune provides direct municipal services to residents. The arrondissement of Arras coordinates regional administrative functions, while the Pas-de-Calais department handles broader governmental responsibilities. This structure reflects France's unitary state model, where local governments operate within a centralized framework while maintaining significant autonomy in local affairs. The commune system, with its origins in the revolutionary period of 1789, represents one of the oldest continuous forms of local government in the modern world.

## 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. Populations légales 2016
8. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
9. Populations légales 2017
10. Populations légales 2018
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)