Caramany


Caramany is a commune in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France.

Geography

Localisation

Caramany is located in the canton of La Vallée de l'Agly and in the arrondissement of Perpignan.

Neighbouring communes

Toponymy

;Attested forms
The name of Caramany first appears in 1212 as Karamay. It is then seen in 1242 as Karamanho, in 1261 as Caramain, in 1304 as Caramayn and finally in 1395 as Caramany. On the 18th century Cassini map, the name is written in French as Caramaing. Both Caramany and Caramaing are used throughout the 19th century.
The Occitan name is Caramanh in the modern day spelling of Languedocien dialect. But although the town is part of Fenouillèdes, an Occitan speaking-zone, today's name has kept the Catalan spelling, in use since medieval times.
;Etymology
The name Caramany is a compound of ker, pre-indoeuropean for stone, and magnus, Latin for big, meaning as a whole big stone. This type of name was often applied to a place with an important castle on a mountain, or an impressive mountain itself.

Government and politics

Mayors

Population