Arrondissements of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department facts for kids
France is divided into different areas to help manage the country. One type of area is called a department. The Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department has 4 special areas called arrondissements. You can think of an arrondissement like a large district or a borough.
Each arrondissement has its own main town, which is called a subprefecture. If the main town of the whole department is also in an arrondissement, it acts as the capital for both. These arrondissements are then split into smaller areas called communes, which are like local towns or villages.
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The Arrondissements of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
The Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department has four arrondissements. Each one has a main town, called its capital. The table below shows you more details about each of these areas, including their capital cities and how many smaller towns (communes) are in them.
| INSEE code |
Arrondissement | Capital | Population (2014) |
Area (km²) |
Density (Inh./km²) |
Communes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 041 | Barcelonnette | Barcelonnette | 8,004 | 1,027.7 | 7.8 | 14 |
| 042 | Castellane | Castellane | 9,493 | 1,320.4 | 7.2 | 41 |
| 043 | Digne-les-Bains | Digne-les-Bains | 55,758 | 2,465.5 | 22.6 | 46 |
| 043 | Forcalquier | Forcalquier | 88,333 | 2,111.6 | 41.8 | 97 |
History of Arrondissements
The way the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department is organized has changed a few times over the years.
Early Divisions (1790-1800)
- In 1790, when the department was first created, it had five main areas called districts. These were Barcelonnette, Castellane, Digne, Forcalquier, and Sisteron.
- The main city, or capital, of the department was Digne.
- By 1800, these districts were changed into the five arrondissements we know today: Barcelonnette, Castellane, Digne, Forcalquier, and Sisteron.
Changes Over Time (1926-1942)
- In 1926, some changes were made. The arrondissements of Castellane and Sisteron were removed. This meant the department had fewer main areas.
- However, in 1942, Castellane was made an arrondissement again. This brought the number of arrondissements closer to what it is today.
See Also
Images for kids
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Map of arrondissements of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department.
