Bélesta, Ariège

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Bélesta

Coat of arms
Bélesta
Coordinates: 42°54′16″N 1°56′06″E / 42.9044°N 1.935°E / 42.9044; 1.935Coordinates: 42°54′16″N 1°56′06″E / 42.9044°N 1.935°E / 42.9044; 1.935
Country France
Region Midi-Pyrénées
Department Ariège
Arrondissement Foix
Canton Lavelanet
Intercommunality Pays d'Olmes
Government
  Mayor (20082014) Alain Bolo
Area
  Land1 26.94 km2 (10.40 sq mi)
Population (2008)
  Population2 1,106
  Population2 Density 41/km2 (110/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 09047 / 09300
Elevation 475–1,082 m (1,558–3,550 ft)
(avg. 494 m or 1,621 ft)

1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Bélesta (Occitan: Bèl Estar) is a commune, situated on the Hers-Vif river in the Ariège department of southwestern France.

History

Situated in the valley of the Hers-Vif, Bélesta is known for its fir tree forest, which was a former royal forest whose wood was used to construct the mast of ships. 1 km upstream from the village is a spring, created by a significant surge of water from the Karst Plateau de Sault.

Population

Historical population
Year Pop.  ±%  
1962 1,265    
1968 1,330+5.1%
1975 1,441+8.3%
1982 1,386−3.8%
1990 1,337−3.5%
1999 1,179−11.8%
2008 1,106−6.2%

See also

References

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