Bélesta, Ariège

Bélesta
The bridge over the Hers-Vif The bridge over the Hers-Vif
Coat of arms of Bélesta Coat of arms
Bélesta
Location within Midi-Pyrénées region Bélesta
Coordinates:
Country	France
Region	Languedoc-Roussillon-Midi-Pyrénées
Department	Ariège
Arrondissement	Foix
Canton	Lavelanet
Intercommunality	Pays d'Olmes
Government
• Mayor (2008–2014)	Alain Bolo
Area1	26.94 km2 (10.40 sq mi)
Population (2008)2	1,106
• 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

• Communes of the Ariège department

References

• INSEE