# Altkirch

> commune in Haut-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q208119](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q208119)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altkirch)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/altkirch

## Summary
Altkirch is a commune located in the Haut-Rhin department of the Grand Est region (formerly Alsace) in northeastern France. It serves as the seat of the arrondissement of Altkirch and is historically significant as the former center of the "Upper Alsace" district during the German Empire's rule over Alsace-Lorraine.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Commune in Haut-Rhin, France.
- **Coordinates**: 47.623055555556°N, 7.2394444444444°E.
- **Administrative Status**: Seat of the arrondissement of Altkirch; part of the canton of Altkirch (inception: March 22, 2015).
- **Historical Region**: Formerly part of "Upper Alsace" (southern district of Elsaß-Lothringen), inception: May 20, 1871.
- **Military History**: Associated with the 286th Security Division (Wehrmacht, WWII), inception: March 15, 1941.
- **Awards**: Recipient of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (French military decoration, inception: April 2, 1915).
- **Transportation**: Served by the Gare d'Altkirch railway station.
- **Population Figures**: 5,743; 3,491; 5,740; 5,941; 5,737; 5,698; 5,659; 5,658; 5,608; 5,575; 5,687.
- **Websites**: http://altkirch-alsace.fr/, http://www.mairie-altkirch.fr.
- **National Context**: Located in France, a semi-presidential republic with a GDP of $2.78 trillion USD (2022) and a population of 68,605,616 (2025).

## FAQs
**Where is Altkirch located?**
Altkirch is situated in the Haut-Rhin department in France. It lies within the European Collectivity of Alsace and serves as the administrative seat for the surrounding arrondissement.

**What is the historical significance of Altkirch?**
Historically, Altkirch was the center of "Upper Alsace," a district in the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) under the German Empire from 1871 to 1918. It was also associated with the 286th Security Division of the Wehrmacht during World War II.

**What administrative divisions is Altkirch part of?**
Altkirch is a commune of France and the seat of the arrondissement of Altkirch. It is also part of the canton of Altkirch, which was established on March 22, 2015.

**What recognition has the town received?**
The commune was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration established to honor units and individuals for service during World War I.

**What transportation links are available?**
The town is connected by the Gare d'Altkirch, a railway station located within the commune.

## Why It Matters
Altkirch matters as a historical and administrative hub in the Alsace region, reflecting the complex shifting of borders between French and German control. Its status as the former center of "Upper Alsace" during the German Empire (1871–1918) highlights the region's turbulent geopolitical history. The town's recognition with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 underscores its involvement and resilience during World War I. Administratively, it serves as a critical local governance center as the seat of its arrondissement, managing regional affairs within the broader framework of the French Republic.

## Notable For
- **Historical Capital**: Served as the name and administrative center for "Upper Alsace" during the German Empire's annexation (1871–1918).
- **Military Decoration**: Awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for its role during World War I.
- **WWII Association**: Hosted or was associated with the 286th Security Division, a rear-security division in the Wehrmacht during World War II.
- **Administrative Seat**: Acts as the seat of the arrondissement of Altkirch.
- **Transport Hub**: Home to the Gare d'Altkirch railway station.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Altkirch is a commune situated in the Haut-Rhin department of France. Its geographic coordinates are 47.623055555556° latitude and 7.2394444444444° longitude. As part of France, it is located within the broader context of Western Europe, a country that spans 643,801 square kilometers and shares borders with eight European nations, including Germany and Switzerland, which are particularly relevant to the Alsace region.

### Administrative Structure
The commune is organized as a "commune of France," a territorial subdivision for municipalities that has existed since 1789. Altkirch holds specific administrative importance as the seat of the arrondissement of Altkirch. It is also included in the canton of Altkirch, an administrative division established on March 22, 2015. These divisions place Altkirch within the hierarchical structure of the French state, which operates as a unitary semi-presidential republic with its capital in Paris.

### History and Conflict
Altkirch's history is deeply tied to the Franco-German rivalry over the Alsace region. From 1871 to 1918, it was part of the "Upper Alsace" (Bezirk), the southern district of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) within the German Empire. This period began following the Franco-Prussian War and lasted until the territory returned to France after World War I.

During World War I, the commune was recognized for its resilience or involvement, receiving the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a military decoration instituted by France on April 2, 1915. In World War II, the town was associated with the 286th Security Division (286. Sicherungs-Division), a rear-security division in the Wehrmacht that was operational starting in early 1941 (inception dates noted as January 1, 1941, and March 15, 1941).

### Demographics and Population
The population of Altkirch has fluctuated over time, with recorded data points including 5,743; 3,491; 5,740; 5,941; 5,737; 5,698; 5,659; 5,658; 5,608; 5,575; and 5,687. This demographic data places the commune within the context of France's total national population, which is estimated at 68,605,616 as of January 1, 2025.

### Infrastructure and Transportation
Altkirch is connected to the national rail network via the Gare d'Altkirch, a railway station located in the commune. The town maintains official websites at http://altkirch-alsace.fr/ and http://www.mairie-altkirch.fr. As part of France, the infrastructure adheres to national standards: driving is on the right side of the road, the electrical grid operates at 230 volts and 50 Hz using Europlug and Type E plugs, and the calling code is +33.

### National and Sovereign Context
As a commune in France, Altkirch falls under the jurisdiction of the French Republic, a founding member of the European Union and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. The national government is led by President Emmanuel Macron (head of state) and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu (head of government). France operates with a bicameral Parliament consisting of the National Assembly and the Senate.

The local economy utilizes the Euro (EUR), the standard currency of metropolitan France, and operates under the national VAT rates of 20% (standard), 10% (reduced), and 5.5% (reduced). France's nominal GDP was approximately $2.78 trillion USD in 2022, reflecting the broader economic environment in which Altkirch operates. The country is known for its high Human Development Index (0.903 in 2021) and its cultural symbols, including the tricolore flag and the national anthem "La Marseillaise."

## References

1. CD Atlas of France
2. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/A---0030)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. BnF authorities
5. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
6. INSEE code
7. [Source](https://lingualibre.org/wiki/Q781061)
8. répertoire géographique des communes
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. Czech National Authority Database
11. Annuaire de service-public.fr
12. MusicBrainz
13. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
14. [Gemeindeverzeichnis Deutschland 1900 - Reichsland Elsaß-Lothringen, Bezirk Oberelsaß, Kreis Altkirch](http://www.gemeindeverzeichnis.de/gem1900/gem1900.htm?elsass/altkirch.htm)
15. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
16. Populations légales 2016
17. Populations légales 2017
18. Populations légales 2018
19. Populations légales 2019
20. Populations légales 2020
21. Populations légales 2021
22. Populations de référence 2022
23. Populations de référence 2023
24. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
25. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
26. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
27. GeoNames
28. [Source](http://altkirch-alsace.fr/)
29. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
30. [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)
31. Quora
32. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
33. museum-digital