# Wassigny

> commune in Aisne, France

**Wikidata**: [Q457078](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q457078)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wassigny)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/wassigny

## Summary
Wassigny is a commune located in the Aisne department of France, within the former canton of Wassigny and the arrondissement of Vervins. It is a small municipality with a population fluctuating around 900–1,000 residents, recognized for its historical significance during World War I, as evidenced by its award of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Commune in the Aisne department, Hauts-de-France region, France.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 50.013055555556, Longitude 3.6.
- **Population**: Recorded figures include 966, 971, 990, 959, 953, 1036, 1011, 1047, 1043, 1026, 995, 971, 955, 959, 966, 946, and 927 (various years).
- **Administrative Division**:
  - Part of the **canton of Wassigny** (until March 2015).
  - Located in the **arrondissement of Vervins**.
  - Within the **Aisne department** (created March 4, 1790).
- **Historical Recognition**: Awarded the **Croix de guerre 1914–1918** (established April 2, 1915), a French military decoration for its role in World War I.
- **Type of Entity**: **Commune of France**, a municipal subdivision established post-1789.
- **Wikidata Sitelinks**: 46 sitelinks, indicating multilingual recognition.

## FAQs
**Where is Wassigny located?**
Wassigny is a commune in the Aisne department of northern France, situated at coordinates 50.013055555556° N, 3.6° E. It falls within the arrondissement of Vervins and was historically part of the canton of Wassigny until administrative reforms in March 2015.

**What is the population of Wassigny?**
The population of Wassigny has varied over time, with recorded figures ranging from 927 to 1,047 residents. Recent data points include 966, 959, and 1,036 inhabitants, reflecting the small-scale, rural nature of the commune.

**Why is Wassigny historically significant?**
Wassigny was awarded the **Croix de guerre 1914–1918**, a military honor instituted in 1915 to recognize communities that suffered damage or demonstrated bravery during World War I. This decoration underscores its role in the conflict and its contributions to France’s wartime efforts.

**What administrative divisions is Wassigny part of?**
Wassigny is located in the **Aisne department**, created in 1790, and the **arrondissement of Vervins**. Prior to 2015, it belonged to the **canton of Wassigny**, a territorial subdivision that was dissolved during France’s canton reorganization.

**How does Wassigny fit into France’s municipal system?**
As a **commune of France**, Wassigny is the smallest administrative division in the country, established after the French Revolution (post-1789). Communes are responsible for local governance, including public services, urban planning, and community welfare.

## Why It Matters
Wassigny exemplifies the resilience and historical depth of rural French communes, particularly those affected by World War I. Its award of the **Croix de guerre 1914–1918** highlights its sacrifices and contributions during a pivotal period in European history, serving as a microcosm of the broader regional experiences in northern France. As part of the Aisne department—a region marked by significant wartime battles—Wassigny’s recognition preserves the memory of local heroism and civilian endurance.

Beyond its historical role, Wassigny represents the administrative and cultural fabric of France’s decentralized governance. As a commune, it plays a vital role in local decision-making, reflecting the country’s commitment to municipal autonomy. Its fluctuating population also mirrors broader demographic trends in rural France, where small communities navigate challenges such as aging populations and economic shifts.

## Notable For
- **Croix de guerre 1914–1918**: One of the decorated communes of France, recognized for its contributions and suffering during World War I.
- **Rural Demography**: A small but stable population, with records showing consistent habitation between 900–1,000 residents over multiple decades.
- **Administrative Heritage**: Part of the historic **canton of Wassigny** (pre-2015) and the enduring **arrondissement of Vervins**, illustrating France’s evolving territorial organization.
- **Geographic Position**: Located in northern France (Hauts-de-France), near the Belgian border, with coordinates placing it in a region rich in wartime history.
- **Commune System**: A classic example of France’s municipal structure, emphasizing local governance and community identity since the Revolutionary era.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Wassigny is situated in the **Aisne department** of the **Hauts-de-France** region in northern France. Its precise coordinates are **50.013055555556° N latitude and 3.6° E longitude**, placing it in a rural area near the Belgian border. The commune is part of the **arrondissement of Vervins**, one of the administrative subdivisions managing local governance, public services, and infrastructure.

### Historical Context
The **Aisne department**, where Wassigny is located, was established on **March 4, 1790**, during the French Revolution as part of the reorganization of France’s territorial divisions. Wassigny itself was historically part of the **canton of Wassigny**, a smaller administrative unit that existed until **March 2015**, when France underwent a nationwide reform reducing the number of cantons.

Wassigny’s most notable historical distinction is its receipt of the **Croix de guerre 1914–1918**, a military decoration created on **April 2, 1915**, to honor towns and villages that endured significant damage or demonstrated exceptional bravery during World War I. This award underscores the commune’s direct involvement in the conflict, particularly given its proximity to major battlefronts in northern France.

### Demographics
Wassigny’s population has been recorded across multiple years, with figures including:
- **966**, **971**, **990**, **959**, **953**, **1036**, **1011**, **1047**, **1043**, **1026**, **995**, **971**, **955**, **959**, **966**, **946**, and **927** inhabitants.
These numbers reflect the commune’s status as a small, rural municipality with a relatively stable population, typical of many French villages outside major urban centers.

### Administrative Structure
As a **commune of France**, Wassigny operates within the country’s decentralized municipal system, which was formalized after the **French Revolution (post-1789)**. Communes are the smallest administrative units in France, responsible for local governance, including:
- **Public services** (e.g., schools, waste management).
- **Urban planning and zoning**.
- **Cultural and social initiatives**.

Wassigny is governed under the broader framework of the **Aisne department** and the **arrondissement of Vervins**, which oversee regional policies, infrastructure projects, and inter-municipal cooperation.

### Related Entities
- **Aisne Department**: The overarching administrative region, created in 1790, encompassing Wassigny and other communes.
- **Canton of Wassigny**: The former territorial subdivision (dissolved in 2015) that grouped Wassigny with neighboring municipalities for electoral and administrative purposes.
- **Arrondissement of Vervins**: The current administrative district managing multiple cantons and communes, including Wassigny.
- **Croix de guerre 1914–1918**: The military decoration awarded to Wassigny, symbolizing its historical significance during World War I.

### Cultural and Historical Significance
Wassigny’s award of the **Croix de guerre 1914–1918** ties it to the broader narrative of northern France’s experience during World War I. The region saw intense fighting, including the Battle of the Aisne, and many communes were devastated. The decoration serves as both a memorial and a point of local pride, reflecting the resilience of its inhabitants.

The commune’s rural character and administrative history also illustrate the enduring structure of France’s municipal system, which balances local autonomy with national governance. As a small but historically recognized entity, Wassigny contributes to the cultural and historical tapestry of the Hauts-de-France region.

## 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)