Small town of 3 708 inhabitants, Saint-Michel en Thierache is located in the north-eastern part of the Aisne department; near the Belgium border and the Ardennes, not far from the North department. Its territory includes the Montorieux, Blissy, les Vallées, and Champ-de-l'Etry villages. The area extending on 4 220 ha is one of the largest in the department.       The forest which occupies more than half the land, is famous for its communication routes (among which the Charlemagne route) that take you easily to the Belgium border. The first Belgium village, Macquenoise, is only 7 km away from the centre of Saint-Michel.        Consisting of farm and forest land at the beginning of the XIX century, the Saint-Michel district owes its development to the industrial prosperity. The expansion started in the second half of the XIX century. It was based mainly on the extension of the Sougland forges started in 1543.     Today the activity centers on three major industries: The automobile industry with the C.I.A. Eberspacher in full swing. The construction industry with the De Gryse Co. The metal industry with the Sougland plant.        Local life is also punctuated by cultural activities. These centre on two institutions: The abbey site The media library. Established in a former barn, it opened up in June 1990. It offers to the public a library, a discotheque and since 1998, a multimedia corner. The CD's can be consulted on site. Thierry VERDAVAINE Mayor of Saint-Michel