# Sainte-Croix

> commune in Aisne, France

**Wikidata**: [Q742118](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q742118)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sainte-Croix,_Aisne)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sainte-croix-q742118

## Summary

Sainte-Croix is a commune located in the Aisne department of France. It is a small rural municipality in the Hauts-de-France region, with historical ties to French administrative and military traditions.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Sainte-Croix is a commune in the Aisne department, France.
- **Region**: Hauts-de-France.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 49.481388888889, Longitude 3.7791666666667.
- **Population**: Ranges between 103 and 136 inhabitants over recent years.
- **Administrative Structure**: Part of the arrondissement of Laon and historically within the canton of Craonne (until March 2015).
- **Image Source**: [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ASainte-Croix%20%28Aisne%29%20mairie.JPG) (public domain).
- **Wikipedia Title**: Sainte-Croix, Aisne.
- **Wikidata Description**: Commune in Aisne, France.
- **Sitelink Count**: 45 (as of latest data).
- **Historical Recognition**: Associated with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration established in 1915.

## FAQs

**Where is Sainte-Croix located?**  
Sainte-Croix is located in the Aisne department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. It is part of the arrondissement of Laon and was formerly in the canton of Craonne.

**What is the population of Sainte-Croix?**  
The population of Sainte-Croix has ranged between 103 and 136 inhabitants in recent years, indicating a small rural community.

**What is the historical significance of Sainte-Croix?**  
Sainte-Croix is associated with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a military decoration awarded for bravery during World War I, indicating local or national recognition of service.

**What is the geography and layout of the commune?**  
The commune is located at approximately 49.4814°N, 3.7792°E. It is part of the administrative structure of France, which includes communes as the smallest territorial subdivisions.

**What distinguishes Sainte-Croix from other communes?**  
Sainte-Croix is distinguished by its small size, rural character, and its place within the historical Aisne department, which has seen significant military and administrative history.

## Why It Matters

Sainte-Croix represents a microcosm of rural French communal life, embodying the local traditions, administrative structures, and historical memory of the French countryside. As part of the Aisne department, it reflects the broader evolution of French governance since the Revolution, particularly through its integration into the cantonal and arrondissement systems. Its association with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 highlights its participation in national memory and military recognition. The commune is also part of the cultural and geographic fabric of northern France, contributing to the regional identity of Hauts-de-France.

## Notable For

- **Rural Communal Life**: Exemplifies small-scale French rural communities with historical and administrative significance.
- **Historical Recognition**: Associated with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a symbol of national military valor.
- **Geographic Placement**: Located in the historically significant Aisne department, tied to major historical events of the early 20th century.
- **Administrative Structure**: Embedded within the arrondissement of Laon and formerly the canton of Craonne, reflecting France’s layered governance.
- **Low Population Density**: Represents the demographic challenges and cultural preservation efforts in rural France.

## Body

### Geography and Location

Sainte-Croix is a commune located in the Aisne department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. Its geographic coordinates are approximately 49.4814°N latitude and 3.7792°E longitude. The commune lies within the broader administrative structure of France, specifically under the arrondissement of Laon. Until March 2015, it was part of the canton of Craonne, which was dissolved as part of France’s administrative reorganization.

### Demographics and Community

The population of Sainte-Croix has fluctuated in recent years, with recorded figures ranging from 103 to 136 inhabitants. This small demographic reflects the rural nature of the commune, where community life is closely tied to agricultural and historical traditions. The commune’s size makes it representative of the challenges faced by small rural communities in France, including aging populations and limited infrastructure.

### Administrative Structure

Sainte-Croix is classified as a commune of France, the smallest administrative unit in the French territorial division system. It is part of the Aisne department, which was established on March 4, 1790, as part of the post-revolutionary reorganization of French territories. The commune is embedded within the structure of the arrondissement of Laon, a key administrative division in Aisne.

### Historical Recognition

Sainte-Croix is associated with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration created on April 2, 1915, to recognize acts of bravery during World War I. This connection underscores the commune's participation in or recognition of national military service, linking it to France’s broader historical narrative of wartime valor.

### Cultural and Visual Representation

The commune is visually represented through a public domain image titled *Sainte-Croix (Aisne) mairie.JPG*, taken by photographer Havang(nl) and hosted on Wikimedia Commons. The image, licensed under CC0, shows the town hall (mairie) and serves as a visual marker of the commune’s identity.

### Governance and Regional Context

As a commune of France, Sainte-Croix is part of a system established during the French Revolution in 1789. This system organizes France into communes, departments, and regions, each with specific roles in governance. Sainte-Croix, like other communes, is responsible for local administration, including public services and municipal records.

### Related Entities

- **Aisne Department**: The administrative unit to which Sainte-Croix belongs, established in 1790.
- **Arrondissement of Laon**: The larger administrative grouping that includes Sainte-Croix.
- **Canton of Craonne**: Former administrative division (until 2015) that included Sainte-Croix.
- **Croix de guerre 1914–1918**: A French military decoration associated with the commune’s historical recognition.
- **Commune of France**: The general classification for all municipal divisions in France, established in 1789.

### Significance in French Structure

Sainte-Croix, while small, is part of the foundational structure of French governance. Its existence as a commune reflects the decentralized yet organized nature of French local administration. It also plays a role in preserving rural culture and history, particularly in regions like Aisne, which were heavily impacted by World War I and are central to French national memory.

## 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)