# Tilques

> commune in Pas-de-Calais, France

**Wikidata**: [Q260766](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q260766)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilques)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tilques

## Summary
Tilques is a commune located in the Pas-de-Calais department within the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. Situated near the Marais Audomarois biosphere reserve, it functions as a local municipality with a population of approximately 1,100 residents. The entity is administratively linked to the arrondissement of Saint-Omer and the former canton of Saint-Omer-Nord.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France.
- **Location**: Pas-de-Calais department, France.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 50.7775, Longitude 2.2041666666667.
- **Population Data**: Recorded figures include 1109, 1107, 1138, 1099, 1092, 1084, 1077, 1070, 1063, and 1072.
- **Administrative Hierarchy**: Part of the arrondissement of Saint-Omer.
- **Historical Administrative Unit**: Formerly part of the canton of Saint-Omer-Nord (until March 2015).
- **Geographic Context**: Located within the Marais Audomarois biosphere reserve (established September 15, 2008).
- **Official Website**: http://www.tilques.fr.
- **Wikipedia Title**: Tilques.
- **Wikidata Description**: Commune in Pas-de-Calais, France.
- **Sitelink Count**: 45.
- **Country Context**: France (Western Europe, with overseas territories in America, Africa, Oceania, and Antarctica).
- **Department Inception**: Pas-de-Calais department established on March 4, 1790.
- **Commune Inception**: French commune system established in 1789.

## FAQs
**Where is Tilques located geographically and administratively?**
Tilques is situated in the Pas-de-Calais department of northern France, with specific geographic coordinates at latitude 50.7775 and longitude 2.2041666666667. Administratively, it falls under the arrondissement of Saint-Omer and was historically part of the canton of Saint-Omer-Nord until that canton was reorganized in March 2015.

**What is the population trend of the commune?**
The population of Tilques fluctuates slightly across recorded census periods, with specific counts ranging from a low of 1063 to a high of 1138. Recent data points include figures such as 1109, 1107, 1099, 1092, 1084, 1077, 1070, and 1072, indicating a relatively stable small-town demographic.

**What natural or protected areas are associated with Tilques?**
The commune is closely associated with the Marais Audomarois, a designated French biosphere reserve that was officially established on September 15, 2008. This reserve represents a significant ecological feature within the local territory of the commune.

**How can one access official information about Tilques?**
Official information and resources for the commune are available through its dedicated website at http://www.tilques.fr. Additionally, the entity maintains a presence on Wikipedia under the title "Tilques" and is cataloged in Wikidata with 45 sitelinks.

## Why It Matters
Tilques serves as a representative example of a French commune, illustrating the decentralized administrative structure of the French Republic where local governance operates within a strict national framework. Its location within the Marais Audomarois biosphere reserve highlights the intersection of municipal administration and environmental conservation, making it a node in France's broader network of protected natural areas. As part of the Pas-de-Calais department, established in 1790, Tilques contributes to the historical continuity of French local governance that dates back to the revolutionary era of 1789. The commune's existence underscores the granular nature of French territorial organization, where even small municipalities maintain distinct identities, official websites, and demographic records within the larger context of the nation's 643,801 square kilometers.

## Notable For
- **Biosphere Reserve Proximity**: Located within the Marais Audomarois, a UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve established in 2008.
- **Administrative History**: Formerly part of the canton of Saint-Omer-Nord, a unit that existed until the administrative reorganization of March 2015.
- **Demographic Stability**: Maintains a consistent population hovering around 1,100 residents across multiple census years.
- **Digital Presence**: Maintains an official municipal website and a dedicated Wikipedia entry with 45 sitelinks.
- **Geographic Precision**: Defined by exact coordinates of 50.7775° N and 2.2041666666667° E.
- **Regional Integration**: Integrated into the arrondissement of Saint-Omer within the Pas-de-Calais department.

## Body

### Geographic and Administrative Positioning
Tilques is a commune situated in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. Its precise geographic location is marked by the coordinates latitude 50.7775 and longitude 2.2041666666667. The commune falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Saint-Omer. Historically, Tilques was part of the canton of Saint-Omer-Nord, a subdivision that remained in effect until March 2015. The entity is classified as a "commune of France," a territorial subdivision for municipalities that traces its inception to the year 1789. The Pas-de-Calais department itself was established on March 4, 1790, providing the broader administrative context for the commune.

### Demographics and Population Data
The population of Tilques has been recorded across various census periods, showing minor fluctuations typical of small municipalities. Specific recorded population figures include 1109, 1107, 1138, 1099, 1092, 1084, 1077, 1070, 1063, and 1072. These figures indicate a stable demographic profile with a population generally hovering around 1,100 residents. As a commune, it operates within the national framework where the official language is French, and the age of majority is 18, consistent with national standards.

### Environmental Context
A defining characteristic of Tilques is its location within or adjacent to the Marais Audomarois biosphere reserve. This reserve is a significant ecological entity in France, officially established on September 15, 2008. The presence of this biosphere reserve highlights the commune's role in the preservation of wetland ecosystems and its integration into France's network of protected natural areas. The Marais Audomarois is recognized as a "Thing" in knowledge bases with 6 sitelinks, underscoring its regional importance.

### Digital and Informational Presence
Tilques maintains a distinct digital footprint through its official website, accessible at http://www.tilques.fr. This platform serves as the primary source of information for residents and visitors regarding local governance and services. The entity is also documented in the global knowledge base Wikidata, where it is described as a "commune in Pas-de-Calais, France." It holds a Wikipedia title of "Tilques" and is associated with 45 sitelinks, indicating a moderate level of documentation and cross-referencing within the Wikimedia ecosystem.

### National Context and Framework
As a commune in France, Tilques operates under the laws and structures of the French Republic. France, the country in which Tilques is located, is a semi-presidential republic with its capital in Paris. The nation's territory extends beyond metropolitan Europe to include overseas territories in the Americas, Africa, and Oceania. The French state traces its origins to the Treaty of Verdun in 843, which established West Francia, and later the First French Empire in 1804. The commune system itself was formalized in 1789, and the Pas-de-Calais department was created in 1790. France uses the Euro as its currency in metropolitan areas and operates on Central European Time (UTC+01:00), with the international calling code +33 and the internet top-level domain .fr.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
5. OpenStreetMap
6. répertoire géographique des communes
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Annuaire de service-public.fr
9. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
10. Populations légales 2016
11. Populations légales 2017
12. Populations légales 2018
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. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)