# Signy-le-Petit

> commune in Ardennes, France

**Wikidata**: [Q686986](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q686986)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signy-le-Petit)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/signy-le-petit

## Summary
Signy-le-Petit is a commune located in the Ardennes department of France, situated within the arrondissement of Charleville-Mézières. Historically, it served as the seat of the canton of Signy-le-Petit until that administrative division was discontinued in March 2015. The commune is recognized for receiving the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration awarded for distinguished service during World War I.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Commune in the Ardennes department of France.
- **Administrative Division**: Arrondissement of Charleville-Mézières.
- **Historical Canton**: Former seat of the canton of Signy-le-Petit (until March 2015).
- **Coordinates**: 49.903888888889, 4.2797222222222.
- **Alias**: Signy.
- **Award**: Recipient of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918.
- **Website**: https://www.signy-le-petit.com/
- **Classification**: Commune of France (administrative type inception: 1789).
- **Population Figures**: 1277, 1271, 1286, 1243, 1218, 1592, 1543, 1361, 1280, 1314, 1284, 1309, 1194, 1186, 1183, 1219, 1213.
- **Imagery**: Featured photograph by Havang(nl) (Henk van Gaal), licensed under CC0 (public domain).

## FAQs
**Where is Signy-le-Petit located?**
Signy-le-Petit is a commune situated in the Ardennes department within the arrondissement of Charleville-Mézières in France.

**What is the administrative history of Signy-le-Petit?**
The commune formerly served as the seat of the canton of Signy-le-Petit until the canton was reorganized and discontinued in March 2015.

**What military decoration has the commune received?**
Signy-le-Petit was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration established on April 2, 1915, to recognize units that distinguished themselves during World War I.

**What are the geographic coordinates of the commune?**
The geographic coordinates for Signy-le-Petit are 49.903888888889 latitude and 4.2797222222222 longitude.

## Why It Matters
Signy-le-Petit holds significance as a representative administrative unit within the French republic, exemplifying the structure of communes that serve as the foundational level of local governance in France. Its historical role as the seat of a canton underscores its past importance in regional administration and judicial organization prior to the 2015 territorial reforms. The receipt of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 highlights the commune's direct involvement and sacrifice during the First World War, marking it as a location of historical remembrance and national significance. As part of the Ardennes department, it contributes to the cultural and geographic identity of northeastern France, a region often characterized by its strategic border location and forested landscapes.

## Notable For
- **Military Honor**: Awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for its actions during World War I.
- **Administrative History**: Formerly the administrative seat of the canton of Signy-le-Petit until March 2015.
- **Demographic Fluctuation**: Recorded population figures ranging from a low of 1,183 to a high of 1,592 in the provided dataset.
- **Digital Presence**: Maintains an official website at https://www.signy-le-petit.com/.
- **Visual Documentation**: Featured in a photograph by Henk van Gaal (Havang(nl)), available under a CC0 public domain license.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Signy-le-Petit is defined by its specific geographic coordinates of 49.903888888889 latitude and 4.2797222222222 longitude. It is situated within the Ardennes, a department in France. The commune falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Charleville-Mézières. As a commune of France, it is part of the country's extensive territorial subdivision system for municipalities, a structure established in 1789.

### National Context: France
Signy-le-Petit is located within France, a country primarily in Western Europe that extends its presence to other continents through overseas territories. France operates as a semi-presidential republic and is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a founding member of the European Union.

**Geography and Territory**
France encompasses a total area of 643,801 square kilometres. Metropolitan France shares borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain, and Andorra. It is bordered by the English Channel, the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. The country's highest point is Mont Blanc (4,808.72 meters), and the lowest point is Étang de Lavalduc (-10 meters). The geographic center of France is approximately at coordinates 47°N 2°E. Beyond Europe, France possesses overseas territories in the Americas (e.g., French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique), Africa (e.g., Mayotte, Réunion), Oceania (e.g., New Caledonia, French Polynesia), and Antarctica (Adélie Land).

**Government and Politics**
France is a unitary semi-presidential republic with a decentralized administration, established under the Fifth Republic constitution (October 4, 1958). The executive branch is shared between President Emmanuel Macron (head of state) and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu (head of government). The legislative branch is bicameral, consisting of the National Assembly and the Senate. The country is divided into 18 administrative regions.

**Demographics and Society**
As of January 1, 2025, France has an estimated population of 68,605,616. The official language is French, though regional languages such as Basque, Occitan, Catalan, Breton, and Alsatian are recognized. The age of majority and marriageable age is 18. Compulsory education is required for ages 6 to 16. The life expectancy is 82 years (2022).

**Economy and Finance**
France has a mixed economy with a nominal GDP of $2.78 trillion USD (2022). The government budget for 2023 was €455.2 billion. The currency is the Euro (EUR) in metropolitan France and the CFP Franc in overseas territories. The standard VAT rate is 20%.

**Infrastructure and Standards**
France drives on the right-hand side of the road. The electrical grid operates at 230 volts and 50 Hz using Europlug and Type E plugs. The country uses Central European Time (UTC+01:00) and Central European Summer Time (UTC+02:00). The international calling code is +33, and the internet TLD is .fr.

**Symbols and Culture**
The national flag is the tricolore (blue, white, red), and the motto is "Liberté, égalité, fraternité." The national anthem is "La Marseillaise." Public holidays include New Year's Day, Easter Monday, International Workers' Day, Victory in Europe Day, Bastille Day, Assumption of Mary, All Saints' Day, Armistice Day, and Christmas.

**International Relations**
France is a founding member of the European Union (1957) and a permanent member of the UN Security Council (1945). It is also a member of NATO (1949), the G7, the G20, the World Trade Organization, the Schengen Area, and the Council of Europe. France has possessed nuclear weapons since 1960.

### Administrative History
The commune of Signy-le-Petit was historically the seat of the canton of Signy-le-Petit. This canton status remained in effect until March 2015, after which the administrative landscape was reorganized. The commune is now part of the broader administrative framework of the Ardennes department.

### Demographics
Signy-le-Petit has recorded various population figures over time. The available data points include: 1277, 1271, 1286, 1243, 1218, 1592, 1543, 1361, 1280, 1314, 1284, 1309, 1194, 1186, 1183, 1219, and 1213.

### Recognition and Awards
The commune has been recognized for its wartime service with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918. This French military decoration was instituted on April 2, 1915, and signifies the commune's distinction during the First World War.

### Media and Resources
Signy-le-Petit maintains an official website at https://www.signy-le-petit.com/. Visual documentation of the commune includes a photograph titled "Signy-le-Petit (Ardennes) la centra placo.jpg," taken by Havang(nl) (Henk van Gaal). The image is hosted on Wikimedia Commons and is licensed under CC0, placing it in the public domain.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
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. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/fr.htm)
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)
23. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)