Bélesta (French pronunciation: [belɛsta] ; Occitan: Belestar) is a commune, situated on the Hers-Vif river in the Ariège department of southwestern France.

Bélesta
The bridge over the Hers-Vif
The bridge over the Hers-Vif
Coat of arms of Bélesta
Location of Bélesta
Map
Bélesta is located in France
Bélesta
Bélesta
Bélesta is located in Occitanie
Bélesta
Bélesta
Coordinates: 42°54′16″N 1°56′06″E / 42.9044°N 1.935°E / 42.9044; 1.935
CountryFrance
RegionOccitania
DepartmentAriège
ArrondissementPamiers
CantonPays d'Olmes
IntercommunalityPays d'Olmes
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Marcel Girma[1]
Area
1
26.94 km2 (10.40 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
1,078
 • Density40/km2 (100/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
09047 /09300
Elevation475–1,082 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.

History

edit

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

edit
Historical population
YearPop.±%
19621,265—    
19681,330+5.1%
19751,441+8.3%
19821,386−3.8%
19901,337−3.5%
19991,179−11.8%
20081,106−6.2%

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises (in French). 9 August 2021.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.