# Roquefort-sur-Soulzon

> French commune in Aveyron, Occitania

**Wikidata**: [Q476887](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q476887)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roquefort-sur-Soulzon)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/roquefort-sur-soulzon

## Summary
Roquefort-sur-Soulzon is a French commune located in the Aveyron department within the Occitania region of Southern France. It is globally renowned as the exclusive production site for Roquefort cheese, a protected designation of origin product, and is situated along the Soulzon watercourse. The municipality serves as a historic and economic hub for the Roquefort cheese industry, leveraging its unique geological and climatic conditions.

## Key Facts
- **Official Classification**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision for municipalities).
- **Location**: Aveyron department, Occitania region, France.
- **Geographic Coordinates**: Latitude 43.976666666667, Longitude 2.9888888888889.
- **Administrative Hierarchy**: Part of the arrondissement of Millau.
- **Population Data**: Historical records show fluctuations including 617, 592, 588, 552, 1349, 949, 880, 789, 679, 690, 643, 554, 555, 528, 502, and 475 inhabitants across various census years.
- **Primary Economic Driver**: Production of Roquefort cheese (French cheese).
- **Hydrology**: Located on the Soulzon watercourse.
- **Country Context**: Situated in France, a country with origins tracing back to the Treaty of Verdun (843 AD) and the First French Empire (1804).
- **Regional Context**: Part of the former Midi-Pyrénées region (historical alias context).
- **Aliases**: Roquefort sur Soulzon, Roquefort, Aveyron, Roquefort, Midi-Pyrénées.
- **Digital Presence**: Wikipedia title "Roquefort-sur-Soulzon"; 45 sitelinks across language editions.
- **Department Inception**: Aveyron department established on March 4, 1790.
- **Commune Inception**: The commune status dates back to 1789.

## FAQs
**What is the primary reason Roquefort-sur-Soulzon is famous worldwide?**
The commune is globally recognized as the sole location where authentic Roquefort cheese is produced, a status protected by its designation of origin. This unique production relies on the specific natural cellars found in the local limestone cliffs and the presence of the Soulzon river.

**Where exactly is this commune located within the French administrative system?**
Roquefort-sur-Soulzon is a commune situated in the Aveyron department, which is part of the Occitania region in Southern France. Administratively, it falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Millau.

**How has the population of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon changed over time?**
The population has varied significantly throughout recorded history, with census data showing figures ranging from a low of 475 to a high of 1,349 inhabitants. Recent historical counts include values such as 617, 592, 588, and 552, reflecting the dynamic nature of the local community.

**What geographic features define the landscape of the commune?**
The territory is defined by its coordinates at approximately 43.98°N and 2.99°E, placing it in a specific microclimate suitable for cheese aging. The Soulzon watercourse flows through the area, playing a critical role in the humidity levels required for the maturation of Roquefort cheese.

**How does the commune relate to the broader history of France?**
As a French commune, it exists within a nation whose statehood origins are linked to the Treaty of Verdun in 843 and the establishment of the First French Empire in 1804. The commune itself was formalized as a territorial subdivision following the French Revolution in 1789, aligning with the creation of the Aveyron department in 1790.

## Why It Matters
Roquefort-sur-Soulzon matters because it is the exclusive geographic heart of the Roquefort cheese industry, a product that holds immense cultural and economic value for France and the global market. Its significance extends beyond simple agriculture; the commune represents a unique intersection of geology, microbiology, and tradition where the specific conditions of the Combalou caves and the Soulzon river create a product that cannot be replicated elsewhere. This exclusivity drives the local economy and preserves a centuries-old method of cheese aging that is protected by international law. Furthermore, the commune serves as a living example of how a small French municipality can maintain global relevance through a specialized, high-value agricultural product. The preservation of this site ensures the continuity of a heritage that has influenced culinary history for centuries.

## Notable For
- **Exclusive Production**: The only location in the world authorized to produce and age authentic Roquefort cheese.
- **Geological Uniqueness**: Home to the natural limestone caves (Combalou) essential for the cheese's maturation process.
- **Protected Designation**: The site is central to the "Roquefort" Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) and Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status.
- **Hydrological Significance**: The presence of the Soulzon watercourse, which provides the necessary humidity for the cheese cellars.
- **Historical Continuity**: A settlement with a documented history dating back to the establishment of the French commune system in 1789.
- **Administrative Integration**: A key component of the Aveyron department, established in 1790, and the arrondissement of Millau.
- **Cultural Alias**: Known historically and colloquially as "Roquefort" or "Roquefort sur Soulzon," distinguishing it from other places with similar names.
- **Demographic Resilience**: Demonstrated population stability and fluctuation over centuries, adapting to economic shifts in the cheese industry.

## Body

### Geography and Hydrology
Roquefort-sur-Soulzon is situated at the precise geographic coordinates of latitude 43.976666666667 and longitude 2.9888888888889. The commune is defined by its relationship with the Soulzon, a watercourse that flows through the territory. This river is not merely a geographic feature but a functional necessity for the local economy, as its flow contributes to the specific humidity levels required in the natural caves for aging Roquefort cheese. The terrain is part of the larger Aveyron department, which was created on March 4, 1790, and is currently located within the Occitania region. The commune falls under the administrative oversight of the arrondissement of Millau.

### Administrative Structure and History
As a "commune of France," Roquefort-sur-Soulzon represents the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic, a system established in 1789. The entity is a direct descendant of the French territorial subdivision model that emerged during the Revolution. It is located within the Aveyron department, a "Thing" in the knowledge graph with an inception date of 1790-03-04. The commune is part of the broader French state, which traces its modern political lineage to the Treaty of Verdun in 843 (establishing West Francia) and the First French Empire in 1804. Historically, the area was associated with the Midi-Pyrénées region, an alias often used in older datasets before the 2016 regional reorganization.

### Demographics and Population Trends
The population of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon has experienced significant variation over time, reflecting the economic cycles of the cheese industry. Historical data points include population counts of 1,349, 949, 880, 789, 690, 679, 643, 617, 592, 588, 555, 554, 552 (appearing twice in records), 528, 502, and 475. These figures illustrate a community that has seen both growth and decline, likely influenced by industrialization, migration, and changes in agricultural practices. The current demographic profile is that of a small, specialized rural commune.

### Economic Significance: Roquefort Cheese
The primary economic engine of the commune is the production of Roquefort cheese, a French cheese with a protected designation of origin. The commune is inextricably linked to this product; the name "Roquefort" is synonymous with the cheese itself. The production process relies on the unique microclimate of the local caves, which are naturally ventilated by the wind from the Soulzon valley. This specific environment allows for the growth of *Penicillium roqueforti*, the mold essential for the cheese's characteristic blue veins. The "Roquefort" entity is a major cultural and economic asset for the commune, with 59 sitelinks in the knowledge base indicating its global recognition.

### Digital and Cultural Footprint
In the digital realm, the commune is represented by the Wikipedia title "Roquefort-sur-Soulzon" and has accumulated 45 sitelinks across various language editions, indicating a moderate level of international interest. The entity is also known by several aliases, including "Roquefort sur Soulzon," "Roquefort, Aveyron," and "Roquefort, Midi-Pyrénées," which reflect its historical and administrative context. The commune is a "Thing" in the knowledge graph, connected to broader entities like France and the Aveyron department. Its digital presence serves as a gateway for information regarding the cheese, the local geography, and the administrative details of the region.

### Connections to Broader French Context
Roquefort-sur-Soulzon is a microcosm of the French state's structure. It operates under the laws and regulations of France, a country with a semi-presidential republic government, a population of over 68 million, and a GDP of $2.78 trillion. The commune benefits from the infrastructure of the Aveyron department and the arrondissement of Millau. Its existence is supported by the national framework established since the Treaty of Verdun and the subsequent evolution of the French state through the First Empire and the Fifth Republic. The commune's identity is deeply intertwined with the national symbols of France, including the motto "Liberté, égalité, fraternité" and the use of the Euro as currency, although its specific economic output is niche and specialized.

## 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 communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
13. Populations légales 2019
14. Populations légales 2020
15. Populations légales 2021
16. Populations de référence 2022
17. Populations de référence 2023
18. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
19. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
20. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
21. GeoNames
22. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
23. [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)
24. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
25. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)