- Méharicourt
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Méharicourt
MéharicourtAdministration Country France Region Picardy Department Somme Arrondissement Montdidier Canton Rosières-en-Santerre Intercommunality Santerre Mayor Claude Lasalle
(2001–2008)Statistics Elevation 78–94 m (256–308 ft)
(avg. 82 m/269 ft)Land area1 7.01 km2 (2.71 sq mi) Population2 597 (2006) - Density 85 /km2 (220 /sq mi) INSEE/Postal code 80524/ 80170 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. Coordinates: 49°47′58″N 2°43′58″E / 49.79944°N 2.73278°E
Méharicourt is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.
Contents
Geography
The commune is situated on the D39 and D131 crossroads, some 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Amiens, in a small depression of a plateau, the start of the valley of the river Luce.
History
The village name has evolved over the centuries, from "Mahéricourt" in 1135, through "Maharicourt", "Méhatincourt" and "Méharicours en Sangter". Some Roman remains, of coffins, have been found in the area. There was possibly a small camp here. As with much of the region, it suffered during the Hundred Years War and again during the Wars of Religion.
Méharicourt was a place of pilgrimage to the martyrs Saint Candide and Saint Flamidien. Their relics were carried from Rome in 1688 and presented to St. Martin’s church by the Count of Tincourt.
By 1899, Méharicourt had three steam-powered factories employing 500 people making linen products, socks, stockings and hunting jackets.
The linen industry provided prosperity throughout the 18th and 19th centuries and the village became chef-lieu, a title it lost to Rosières in later years. During the 19th century, the village was invaded by Cossacks in 1814 – 1815.
In 1840, the streets were repaired and the church restored, by a grant of 3000 francs and the labour of the local unemployeed. The bell-tower, built in 1607, was reconstructed in 1842
A school for girls and a refuge were built in 1863.
The Second World War saw a German airfield built next to the village, with building materials taken from the town hall of Rosières.Population
Population history 1962 1968 1975 1982 1990 1999 2006 424 429 485 512 480 538 597 Starting in 1962: Population without duplicates See also
References
External links
- Méharicourt on the Quid website (French)
Categories:- Communes of Somme
- Somme geography stubs
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