# Poix-de-Picardie

> commune in Somme, France

**Wikidata**: [Q586445](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q586445)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poix-de-Picardie)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/poix-de-picardie

## Summary
Poix-de-Picardie is a commune located in the Somme department of France, within the arrondissement of Amiens. It is a small municipality with a population fluctuating around 2,300–2,400 residents and serves as a local administrative and transportation hub, featuring a railway station (Gare de Poix-de-Picardie).

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Situated in the Somme department, Hauts-de-France region, France.
- **Population**: Varied between 2,282 and 2,438 residents in recent years (e.g., 2,391 in 2021, 2,402 in 2020).
- **Coordinates**: 49.775833333333° N, 1.9841666666667° E.
- **Administrative Division**: Part of the arrondissement of Amiens and the canton of Poix-de-Picardie (established March 22, 2015).
- **Transportation**: Home to Gare de Poix-de-Picardie, a railway station connecting the commune to regional networks.
- **Website**: Official municipal site at [https://www.ville-poix-de-picardie.fr/](https://www.ville-poix-de-picardie.fr/).
- **Aliases**: Commonly referred to as "Poix."
- **Historical Context**: The canton of Poix-de-Picardie was created in 2015 as part of France’s territorial reforms.
- **Sitelink Count**: 41 references across Wikimedia projects.

## FAQs
**Where is Poix-de-Picardie located?**
Poix-de-Picardie is a commune in the Somme department of northern France, within the Hauts-de-France region. It lies approximately 30 kilometers southwest of Amiens, the regional capital.

**What is the population of Poix-de-Picardie?**
The population has fluctuated slightly in recent years, with recorded figures including 2,438 (2018), 2,402 (2020), and 2,391 (2021). The trend shows minor variations typical of small rural communes.

**What administrative roles does Poix-de-Picardie serve?**
It is the seat of the canton of Poix-de-Picardie, a territorial subdivision created in 2015, and falls under the arrondissement of Amiens. The commune manages local governance, public services, and infrastructure.

**Does Poix-de-Picardie have public transportation?**
Yes, the commune is served by Gare de Poix-de-Picardie, a railway station that provides regional rail connections, facilitating travel to nearby cities like Amiens and beyond.

**How is Poix-de-Picardie connected to broader French governance?**
As a commune, it operates under France’s decentralized administrative system, established in 1789. It is part of the Somme department (created in 1790) and adheres to national laws while managing local affairs.

## Why It Matters
Poix-de-Picardie exemplifies the role of small communes in France’s administrative and social fabric. As a local hub, it provides essential services, transportation links, and governance for its residents, contributing to the stability and cohesion of rural areas in the Somme department. Its railway station enhances regional connectivity, supporting economic and social mobility. The commune’s existence also reflects France’s long-standing tradition of decentralized local governance, which balances national policies with community-specific needs.

## Notable For
- **Railway Station**: Hosts Gare de Poix-de-Picardie, a key transportation node for the area.
- **Canton Seat**: Serves as the administrative center for the canton of Poix-de-Picardie, established in 2015.
- **Population Stability**: Maintains a consistent population of ~2,300–2,400, demonstrating resilience in rural demographics.
- **Historical Continuity**: Part of the Somme department, one of France’s original 83 departments created in 1790.
- **Local Governance**: Operates as a fully functional commune under France’s municipal system, managing education, infrastructure, and public safety.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Poix-de-Picardie is located in the Somme department of the Hauts-de-France region in northern France. Its coordinates are 49.775833333333° N latitude and 1.9841666666667° E longitude. The commune is situated roughly 30 kilometers southwest of Amiens, the capital of Somme, and is part of the broader Picardy historical region. The area is characterized by the rolling landscapes typical of northern France, with a mix of agricultural fields and small woodlands.

### Administrative Structure
Poix-de-Picardie is classified as a **commune**, the smallest administrative division in France, with roots tracing back to the French Revolution (1789). It falls under the **arrondissement of Amiens**, one of four arrondissements in the Somme department. The commune is also the seat of the **canton of Poix-de-Picardie**, which was established on March 22, 2015, as part of France’s territorial reform to rationalize local governance. The canton includes Poix-de-Picardie and several neighboring communes, streamlining administrative and electoral processes.

### Demographics
The population of Poix-de-Picardie has shown minor fluctuations over the past decade, reflecting trends common to rural French communes. Key figures include:
- **2018**: 2,438 residents
- **2020**: 2,402 residents
- **2021**: 2,391 residents
- **2022**: 2,385 residents
- **2023**: 2,358 residents

The slight decline aligns with broader patterns of rural depopulation in France, though Poix-de-Picardie remains a stable community. The commune’s demographic profile is typical of small towns, with a mix of aging residents and younger families supported by local services and transportation links.

### Transportation and Infrastructure
A critical feature of Poix-de-Picardie is its **railway station**, Gare de Poix-de-Picardie. The station provides regional rail services, connecting the commune to Amiens and other nearby towns. This infrastructure is vital for commuters, students, and businesses, reducing reliance on private vehicles and enhancing accessibility. The station is part of the broader **TER Hauts-de-France** network, which integrates regional rail travel across northern France.

### Historical Context
The Somme department, where Poix-de-Picardie is located, was established on **March 4, 1790**, during the French Revolution as one of the original 83 departments. The department was created to replace the former province of Picardy and has since played a significant role in France’s agricultural and industrial history, particularly during World War I (e.g., the Battle of the Somme).

The **canton of Poix-de-Picardie** was created much later, on **March 22, 2015**, as part of a nationwide reform to reduce the number of cantons and improve administrative efficiency. This reform merged smaller cantons into larger ones, with Poix-de-Picardie becoming the administrative center for its new canton.

### Governance and Services
As a commune, Poix-de-Picardie is responsible for a range of local services, including:
- **Education**: Managing primary schools and coordinating with the national education system.
- **Public Safety**: Overseeing local police (municipal police) and emergency services.
- **Urban Planning**: Regulating land use, housing, and infrastructure development.
- **Cultural and Social Programs**: Organizing community events, libraries, and recreational facilities.

The commune operates under the leadership of a **mayor** (maire) and a municipal council, elected by residents. These officials work within the framework of French municipal law, ensuring compliance with national regulations while addressing local needs.

### Economic and Social Role
Poix-de-Picardie serves as a local economic center, supporting agriculture, small businesses, and retail. The presence of the railway station facilitates commerce and employment opportunities, allowing residents to commute to larger cities like Amiens. The commune also benefits from its proximity to major roads, further integrating it into the regional economy.

### Related Entities
- **Somme Department**: The broader administrative region encompassing Poix-de-Picardie, known for its historical significance and agricultural output.
- **Arrondissement of Amiens**: The administrative district overseeing Poix-de-Picardie and 162 other communes.
- **Canton of Poix-de-Picardie**: The electoral and administrative division centered in Poix-de-Picardie, created in 2015.
- **Gare de Poix-de-Picardie**: The local railway station, a critical transportation hub for the commune.

### Online Presence
The commune maintains an official website at [https://www.ville-poix-de-picardie.fr/](https://www.ville-poix-de-picardie.fr/), which provides information on local services, events, and administrative procedures. The site serves as a primary resource for residents and visitors seeking details on governance, tourism, and community life.

## 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. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
18. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
19. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
20. GeoNames
21. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
22. [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)