Racquinghem

Racquinghem
Racquinghem

Coordinates: 50°41′38″N 2°21′31″E / 50.6939°N 2.3586°E / 50.6939; 2.3586Coordinates: 50°41′38″N 2°21′31″E / 50.6939°N 2.3586°E / 50.6939; 2.3586
Country France
Region Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardie
Department Pas-de-Calais
Arrondissement Saint-Omer
Canton Aire-sur-la-Lys
Intercommunality Pays d'Aire
Government
  Mayor Idzik Bernard
Area1 5.32 km2 (2.05 sq mi)
Population (2006)2 2,278
  Density 430/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 62684 / 62120
Elevation 20–68 m (66–223 ft)
(avg. 41 m or 135 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.

Racquinghem is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.

Geography

A large village some 6 miles (9 km) southeast of Saint-Omer, on the N43 road, located on the banks of the Noeufossé canal, the border between the department of Nord and the Pas de Calais.

The commune is close to the eastern boundary of the Helfaut plateau, a remarkable geological and ecological area, not typical of the region, which now hosts the Helfaut Nature Reserve. Its flora comprises both dry and wet heathland and some protected fauna, mostly amphibians.

History

The area has been populated since before Roman times, as testified by artefacts discovered in the commune. The name is probably derived from Rikiwulfinga-haim, referring to the occupation by the Viking Rikiwulf in 880, who also settled nearby Reclinghem.

Various wars have been waged around the town, including the war of 1046 to 1056 between Baldwin V, Count of Flanders (the Pious) and Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor, one battle of which was fought between Arques and Aire-sur-la-Lys. An artificial border was created on this occasion by digging a defensive canal called the Neufe-Fosse, which eventually became the Noeufossé canal.

Population

Population history
1962 1968 1975 1982 1990 1999 2006
919 976 1,219 1,816 2,368 2,334 2,278
Census count starting from 1962: Population without duplicates

Places of interest

See also

References

    External links

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