Somme

Somme is an administrative division in northern France, part of the Hauts-de-France region. The territory covers four arrondissements—Abbeville, Amiens, Montdidier and Péronne—each handling local governance functions and coordinated through a council.

The department was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution as part of a nationwide administrative reform. The new structure replaced the old provinces and aimed to establish more uniform governance across the country.

The gothic cathedral in Amiens, the department's main city, draws visitors from around the world and holds UNESCO World Heritage status. Along the river and across open fields, cemeteries and memorials recall the Great War battles and shape how the region remembers its past.

Postal codes for this area begin with the number 80, which helps with orientation. The department council manages public services such as education, social welfare and infrastructure, overseeing the coordination of the four arrondissements.

The name comes from the river that flows through the territory, following the French practice of naming departments after geographical features. During the Great War, some of the most devastating battles in military history took place here, which explains why the countryside remains marked by soldier cemeteries today.

Location: Hauts-de-France

Inception: March 4, 1790

Capital city: Amiens

Reference: 80

Shares border with: Aisne, Oise, Seine-Maritime, Pas-de-Calais, Nord

Website: http://somme.pref.gouv.fr

GPS coordinates: 49.88333,2.41667

Latest update: December 12, 2025 22:41