# Ugny-le-Gay

> commune in Aisne, France

**Wikidata**: [Q867712](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q867712)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ugny-le-Gay)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ugny-le-gay

## Summary

Ugny-le-Gay is a commune located in the Aisne department of northern France, situated in the arrondissement of Laon. It is a small rural municipality with a population of approximately 187 residents, known for receiving the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 military decoration for its suffering during World War I.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Ugny-le-Gay is in the Aisne department, northern France, part of the Hauts-de-France region
- **Administrative Division**: Arrondissement of Laon
- **Country**: France
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 49.659722222222°, Longitude 3.16°
- **Population**: 187 residents (most recent figure from 17 data points: 169, 176, 181, 182, 185, 223, 203, 172, 148, 166, 156, 168, 185, 186, 186, 186, 187)
- **Type of Entity**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision for municipalities)
- **Commune of France Inception**: Established +1789 (French municipal organization)
- **Aisne Department Inception**: March 4, 1790
- **Military Recognition**: Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (French military decoration, inception: April 2, 1915)
- **Alias**: Ugny
- **Wikipedia Title**: Ugny-le-Gay
- **Sitelink Count**: 44
- **Image**: Town hall and school building (mairie-école)

## FAQs

**What region and department is Ugny-le-Gay located in?**

Ugny-le-Gay is located in the Aisne department of northern France, which is part of the Hauts-de-France region. It falls within the administrative jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Laon.

**What is the population of Ugny-le-Gay?**

Ugny-le-Gay has a population of approximately 187 residents, making it a small rural commune. Historical population data shows fluctuations between 148 and 223 residents over recorded periods.

**What awards or recognition has Ugny-le-Gay received?**

Ugny-le-Gay was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration recognizing its suffering and damage during World War I. This indicates the commune was significantly impacted by fighting during the war.

**What type of administrative entity is Ugny-le-Gay?**

Ugny-le-Gay is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. The commune as an administrative unit was established in France in 1789 during the French Revolution.

**What are the geographic coordinates of Ugny-le-Gay?**

Ugny-le-Gay is located at latitude 49.659722222222° and longitude 3.16°, placing it in the northern part of France.

## Why It Matters

Ugny-le-Gay matters as a representative example of the small rural communes that form the backbone of French territorial organization. While numerically small, these communes collectively constitute the fundamental unit of local governance in France, with each municipality maintaining its own mayor and municipal council. The commune's receipt of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 signifies its historical significance during World War I, when the Aisne department saw intense fighting as part of the Western Front. The region was heavily contested during major battles, and many communes in this area suffered significant damage. Today, Ugny-le-Gay represents the continuity of French rural community life, preserving local heritage, municipal services, and the social fabric that has characterized French villages for centuries. Its inclusion in the French administrative system, dating back to the revolutionary period of 1789, reflects the enduring structure of local governance that France maintains to this day.

## Notable For

- Awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for World War I involvement
- Part of the historic Aisne department established in 1790
- Located in the arrondissement of Laon, a significant administrative center in northern France
- Represents the traditional French commune structure dating to 1789
- Small population commune demonstrating rural French municipal organization

## Body

### Geography and Location

Ugny-le-Gay is situated in the northern French department of Aisne, which is part of the Hauts-de-France region. The commune lies at coordinates 49.659722222222° latitude and 3.16° longitude. This positioning places it in the Picardy area of northern France, a region historically known for its agricultural significance and its central role in various conflicts throughout French history, particularly World War I.

### Administrative Structure

As a commune of France, Ugny-le-Gay represents the smallest administrative division in the French territorial organization system. The commune as an administrative unit was established in 1789 during the French Revolution, replacing the previous system of parishes and villages. Each commune in France maintains its own local government, headed by a mayor and a municipal council, responsible for local services, urban planning, and community affairs.

Ugny-le-Gay is part of the arrondissement of Laon, which serves as an administrative subdivision within the Aisne department. The department of Aisne was created on March 4, 1790, during the early years of the French Revolution, as part of the initial division of France into departments. Aisne is named after the Aisne River that flows through the region.

### Historical Significance

The commune was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a prestigious French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915. This award recognizes localities that suffered damage during World War I, particularly those that experienced fighting or significant destruction. The Aisne department was the site of major battles during the war, including the First Battle of the Aisne and the Battle of the Chemin des Dames. Many communes in this department received this decoration in recognition of their suffering and the sacrifices made by their residents during the conflict.

### Demographics and Community

Ugny-le-Gay has a population of approximately 187 residents, classifying it as a small rural commune. Historical population data recorded over multiple periods shows figures ranging from 148 to 223 residents, demonstrating the demographic fluctuations common in rural French municipalities. These small communes are essential components of French rural society, maintaining traditional community structures, local schools, and municipal services that serve their residents.

### Cultural and Municipal Assets

The commune features a town hall and school building (mairie-école), a common feature in French rural communes where municipal administration and educational facilities are often combined in a single building. An image of this building, captured by photographer Havang(nl), is available through Wikimedia Commons under a public domain license (CC0). The commune is also known by its alias "Ugny" and has a Wikipedia article with 44 sitelinks, indicating its presence in the broader knowledge ecosystem.

### Regional Context

The Aisne department, where Ugny-le-Gay is located, comprises 798 communes and covers an area of 7,369 square kilometers. The department is characterized by its mix of agricultural land, forests, and historic towns. The capital of the department is Laon, which gives its name to the arrondissement to which Ugny-le-Gay belongs. The region has been inhabited since ancient times and has been the site of numerous historical events, particularly during the medieval period and both World Wars.

## 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)