# Osly-Courtil

> commune in Aisne, France

**Wikidata**: [Q509872](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q509872)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osly-Courtil)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/osly-courtil

## Summary
Osly-Courtil is a commune located in the Aisne department within the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. It is a small rural municipality situated at coordinates 49.401666666667° N, 3.2258333333333° E, falling under the administrative jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Soissons. The entity is primarily defined by its status as a French territorial subdivision and its historical connection to the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 decoration.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France (territorial subdivision for municipalities).
- **Location**: Aisne department, France.
- **Administrative Division**: Part of the arrondissement of Soissons.
- **Geographic Coordinates**: Latitude 49.401666666667, Longitude 3.2258333333333.
- **Population Data**: Historical and recent census figures include 308, 314, 328, 326, 332, 173, 197, 239, 260, 273, 290, 301, 330, 328, 325, 325, and 325 inhabitants across various recorded years.
- **Country Context**: Located in France, a country with origins tracing back to West Francia (843 AD) and the First French Empire (1804).
- **Department Origin**: The Aisne department was established on March 4, 1790.
- **Military Recognition**: The commune is associated with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915.
- **Visual Documentation**: Features a photograph of the local church (Église) taken by artist Havang(nl).
- **Image License**: The primary image is licensed under CC0 (Public Domain).
- **Wikimedia Presence**: The entity has a Wikipedia title "Osly-Courtil" and a sitelink count of 45 across Wikimedia projects.
- **Commons File**: The main image file is hosted at `Osly-Courtil (Aisne) Église, 01.JPG`.

## FAQs
**What is the administrative status of Osly-Courtil?**
Osly-Courtil is classified as a commune, which serves as the lowest level of administrative division in France. It is situated within the Aisne department and falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Soissons.

**Where is Osly-Courtil geographically located?**
The commune is located in northern France at latitude 49.401666666667 and longitude 3.2258333333333. It is part of the Aisne department, which itself was created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790.

**What is the population history of Osly-Courtil?**
The population of the commune has fluctuated over time, with recorded figures ranging from a low of 173 to a high of 332. Recent data points show a stabilization around 325 to 328 inhabitants.

**Is Osly-Courtil recognized for any military honors?**
Yes, the commune is linked to the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration established on April 2, 1915. This award recognizes acts of heroism and bravery during World War I.

**What visual records exist for Osly-Courtil?**
A photograph of the commune's church is available on Wikimedia Commons, captured by the photographer Havang(nl). This image is released into the public domain under a CC0 license.

## Why It Matters
Osly-Courtil serves as a specific data point illustrating the granular structure of French local governance and the historical depth of the Aisne department. While small in population, its inclusion in the national census and its association with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 highlight the pervasive impact of World War I on even the smallest French municipalities. The entity contributes to the broader understanding of France's territorial organization, which dates back to the revolutionary creation of departments in 1790. Its presence in digital archives and Wikimedia projects ensures that the history and geography of rural France remain documented and accessible for research and cultural preservation.

## Notable For
- **Administrative Classification**: Recognized as a standard commune within the French territorial subdivision system established in 1789.
- **Military Heritage**: Distinguished by its connection to the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, reflecting the region's involvement in World War I.
- **Geographic Precision**: Defined by exact coordinates (49.401666666667° N, 3.2258333333333° E) within the Aisne department.
- **Demographic Stability**: Exhibits a relatively stable population trend in recent census years, hovering around 325 residents.
- **Digital Documentation**: Maintains a dedicated presence on Wikimedia Commons and Wikipedia with 45 cross-project links.
- **Visual Archive**: Possesses a high-quality, public domain image of its church created by Havang(nl).
- **Regional Context**: Part of the arrondissement of Soissons, a key administrative division in the Aisne department.

## Body

### Administrative and Geographic Structure
Osly-Courtil functions as a commune, the fundamental unit of local administration in France. This status places it within the hierarchical structure of the French Republic, specifically under the Aisne department. The Aisne department itself was founded on March 4, 1790, as part of the reorganization of France during the Revolution. Administratively, Osly-Courtil is grouped within the arrondissement of Soissons. Geographically, the commune is pinpointed at latitude 49.401666666667 and longitude 3.2258333333333. This location situates it in the northern part of the country, within the broader context of Western Europe.

### Demographic Data
The population of Osly-Courtil has been recorded across multiple census periods, showing a range of values. Historical and recent data points include figures of 173, 197, 239, 260, 273, 290, 301, 308, 314, 325, 326, 328, 330, and 332 inhabitants. The most recent consistent figures cluster around 325 to 328 residents. These numbers reflect the demographic trends of a small rural commune within the Aisne department. The data is sourced from official French census records and is utilized for administrative planning and statistical analysis.

### Historical Context and Military Recognition
The commune is historically linked to the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration created on April 2, 1915. This award is typically bestowed upon units or localities that have demonstrated exceptional bravery during World War I. The association of Osly-Courtil with this decoration underscores the impact of the Great War on the region. The broader context of France's history includes the Treaty of Verdun in 843, which established West Francia, and the proclamation of the First French Empire in 1804. These historical milestones frame the long-term political evolution of the territory in which Osly-Courtil resides.

### Visual and Digital Presence
Osly-Courtil is documented visually through a photograph of its church, titled "Osly-Courtil (Aisne) Église, 01.JPG." This image was created by the artist Havang(nl) and is hosted on Wikimedia Commons. The image is released under a CC0 license, placing it in the public domain and allowing for unrestricted use. The entity maintains a digital footprint with a Wikipedia title "Osly-Courtil" and a total sitelink count of 45 across various Wikimedia projects. This digital presence ensures that information about the commune is accessible to a global audience and integrated into the broader knowledge graph of French geography.

### National Framework
As a commune in France, Osly-Courtil operates under the national framework of the French Republic. France is a semi-presidential republic with a population of approximately 68.6 million (2025 estimate) and a capital in Paris. The country's official language is French, and its currency is the Euro. France is a founding member of the European Union and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. The administrative structure of the country, including the creation of departments like Aisne in 1790, reflects the centralized yet decentralized nature of the French state. Osly-Courtil, like all French communes, adheres to national laws, standards, and administrative protocols.

## References

1. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/H1--0200)
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. 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)