# Altenach

> commune in Haut-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q275063](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q275063)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altenach)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/altenach

## Summary
Altenach is a commune located in the Haut-Rhin department within the Grand Est region of France. It is a small municipality situated in the canton of Dannemarie (prior to March 2015) and falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Altkirch. The commune is geographically positioned at coordinates 47.606666666667° N, 7.1119444444444° E.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France.
- **Department**: Haut-Rhin (French administrative district of the European Collectivity of Alsace, established March 4, 1790).
- **Region**: Grand Est (implied by Haut-Rhin location in Alsace).
- **Canton**: Dannemarie (active until March 2015).
- **Arrondissement**: Altkirch.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 47.606666666667, Longitude 7.1119444444444.
- **Population History**: Recorded values include 374, 348, 378, 390, 393, 392, 389, 390, 384, 378, and 372.
- **Wikidata Sitelink Count**: 45.
- **Wikipedia Title**: Altenach.
- **Wikidata Description**: "commune in Haut-Rhin, France".
- **Country**: France.
- **Historical Context**: Located in the area historically known as Upper Alsace (southern district of Elsaß-Lothringen in the German Empire from 1871 to 1918).

## FAQs
**What administrative divisions does Altenach belong to?**
Altenach is a commune situated in the Haut-Rhin department, which is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace. It is administratively linked to the arrondissement of Altkirch and was historically part of the canton of Dannemarie until that canton was reorganized in March 2015.

**How has the population of Altenach changed over time?**
The commune has experienced minor fluctuations in its population, with recorded figures ranging from a low of 348 to a high of 393 across various census periods. Specific recorded population counts include 374, 378, 390, 392, 389, 384, and 372, reflecting a relatively stable demographic profile for a small French municipality.

**Where is Altenach located geographically?**
Altenach is located in the Haut-Rhin department of France at the precise coordinates of 47.606666666667° North latitude and 7.1119444444444° East longitude. This places it within the historical region of Upper Alsace, an area that was part of the German Empire's imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen between 1871 and 1918.

**What is the historical significance of the region surrounding Altenach?**
The commune lies in a region that has shifted sovereignty between France and Germany, notably serving as part of the Upper Alsace district within the German Empire from 1871 to 1918. The administrative structure of the area, including the Haut-Rhin department, was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution.

## Why It Matters
Altenach serves as a fundamental unit of local governance within the French Republic, representing the smallest level of administrative subdivision in the country. Its existence highlights the continuity of the French municipal system, which dates back to the inception of communes in 1789. As a member of the Haut-Rhin department, it contributes to the demographic and economic fabric of the Grand Est region, a historically significant area that has shaped European borders and cultural exchange. The commune's stability and specific population metrics provide valuable data for regional planning and demographic studies in Alsace. Furthermore, its location in a region with a complex history of Franco-German relations makes it a microcosm of the broader historical shifts that have defined modern Europe.

## Notable For
- **Administrative History**: Part of the canton of Dannemarie until the major French cantonal reorganization in March 2015.
- **Geographic Precision**: Defined by specific coordinates (47.606666666667° N, 7.1119444444444° E) within the Haut-Rhin department.
- **Population Stability**: Maintained a consistent population range between 348 and 393 residents across multiple census records.
- **Historical Region**: Located in Upper Alsace, a territory that was part of the German Empire's imperial district of Elsaß-Lothringen from 1871 to 1918.
- **Departmental Integration**: Integrated into the Haut-Rhin administrative district since its inception on March 4, 1790.
- **Wikidata Presence**: Maintains a dedicated entry with 45 sitelinks across various language editions of Wikipedia.

## Body

### Administrative Classification and Location
Altenach is officially classified as a commune, which is the lowest level of administrative division in France. It is situated within the Haut-Rhin department, a territory established on March 4, 1790, as part of the French administrative district of the European Collectivity of Alsace. The commune falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Altkirch. Historically, it was part of the canton of Dannemarie, a subdivision that existed until March 2015 when French cantonal boundaries were redrawn. The entity is linked to the country of France and is recognized in the Wikidata database with the description "commune in Haut-Rhin, France."

### Geographic Coordinates and Demographics
The commune is geographically anchored at latitude 47.606666666667 and longitude 7.1119444444444. Demographic data for Altenach shows a fluctuating but stable population over recorded periods. Specific population counts include 374, 348, 378, 390, 393, 392, 389, 390, 384, 378, and 372. These figures indicate a small community size typical of rural communes in the region. The data reflects the commune's status as a residential entity within the broader French territorial subdivision system, which originated in 1789.

### Historical Context and Regional Identity
Altenach is located in the area historically referred to as Upper Alsace. This region held significant geopolitical importance as the southern district (Bezirk) of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) within the German Empire. This status lasted from May 20, 1871, until 1918, marking a period where the territory was under German administration before returning to French control. The commune's history is thus intertwined with the broader shifts in European borders and the administration of the Alsace-Lorraine region during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

### Digital Presence and Data Classification
In the digital knowledge ecosystem, Altenach is represented by the Wikipedia title "Altenach" and holds a Wikidata entry with a sitelink count of 45. This indicates its presence across multiple language versions of Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects. The entity is categorized as a "commune of France," a territorial subdivision for municipalities that began in 1789. The structured data links it to parent entities such as the arrondissement of Altkirch, the canton of Dannemarie, and the Haut-Rhin department, ensuring its place in the hierarchical structure of French geography.

## References

1. CD Atlas of France
2. BnF authorities
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
5. [Source](https://lingualibre.org/wiki/Q781042)
6. répertoire géographique des communes
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Annuaire de service-public.fr
9. MusicBrainz
10. [Gemeindeverzeichnis Deutschland 1900 - Reichsland Elsaß-Lothringen, Bezirk Oberelsaß, Kreis Altkirch](http://www.gemeindeverzeichnis.de/gem1900/gem1900.htm?elsass/altkirch.htm)
11. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
12. Populations légales 2016
13. Populations légales 2017
14. Populations légales 2018
15. Populations légales 2019
16. Populations légales 2020
17. Populations légales 2021
18. Populations de référence 2022
19. Populations de référence 2023
20. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
21. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
22. GeoNames
23. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
24. [2016](https://data.geopf.fr/telechargement/download/GEOFLA/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28.7z)
25. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)