# Altwiller

> commune in Bas-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q22815](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q22815)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altwiller)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/altwiller

## Summary
Altwiller is a commune located in the Bas-Rhin department within the Grand Est region of northeastern France. It is administratively situated in the arrondissement of Saverne and falls under the historical and geographical context of the former district of Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace). The commune is characterized by its Protestant church and a small, stable population residing in the Alsace region.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France.
- **Department**: Bas-Rhin (French administrative district of the European Collectivity of Alsace).
- **Arrondissement**: Arrondissement of Saverne.
- **Historical District**: Formerly part of Unterelsaß (central district of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen in the German Empire, 1871–1918).
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 48.930277777778, Longitude 6.9802777777778.
- **Population Data**: Recorded figures include 418, 417, 419, 395, 384, 380, 377, 375, 374, and 373 inhabitants across various census periods.
- **Primary Landmark**: Église protestante (Protestant Church).
- **Image Source**: Photograph of the Protestant church taken by Rauenstein.
- **Image License**: Public domain.
- **Wikimedia Commons File**: `Altwiller, Église protestante.jpg`.
- **Wikipedia Title**: Altwiller.
- **Sitelink Count**: 45 (indicating the number of language versions or related links).
- **Country**: France (Republic established via Treaty of Verdun in 843, First Empire in 1804).
- **Administrative Subdivision**: Part of the "commune of France" territorial subdivision (inception: 1789).

## FAQs
**Where is Altwiller located geographically and administratively?**
Altwiller is situated in the Bas-Rhin department of France, specifically within the arrondissement of Saverne. Geographically, it lies in the historical region of Alsace, which was part of the German imperial district of Unterelsaß between 1871 and 1918.

**What are the demographic trends in Altwiller?**
The population of Altwiller has remained relatively small and stable, with recorded figures fluctuating between 373 and 419 inhabitants in recent census data. These numbers reflect the commune's status as a small rural municipality within the Bas-Rhin department.

**What is the significance of the image associated with Altwiller?**
The primary visual representation of Altwiller is a public domain photograph of its Protestant church, captured by the photographer Rauenstein. This image is hosted on Wikimedia Commons and serves as the main visual identifier for the commune on Wikipedia and related platforms.

**How does Altwiller fit into the broader history of the Alsace region?**
Altwiller exists within the historical context of the Unterelsaß district, which was a central administrative division of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen during the German Empire from 1871 to 1918. Today, it functions as a standard French commune within the modern administrative framework of the Bas-Rhin department.

## Why It Matters
Altwiller serves as a microcosm of the complex administrative and historical evolution of the Alsace region. Its existence as a commune within the Bas-Rhin department highlights the continuity of local governance in France since the inception of the "commune" subdivision in 1789. The entity is significant for preserving the specific cultural and religious heritage of the area, exemplified by its Protestant church, which stands as a testament to the region's diverse religious history. Furthermore, Altwiller's connection to the former German district of Unterelsaß underscores the shifting geopolitical boundaries that have defined the borderlands between France and Germany over the last two centuries. For researchers and historians, it provides a specific data point for analyzing demographic stability in rural French municipalities and the integration of former imperial territories into the modern French state.

## Notable For
- **Historical Jurisdiction**: Former inclusion in the Unterelsaß district of the German Empire (1871–1918).
- **Religious Architecture**: Home to the Église protestante, a key landmark documented in public domain media.
- **Administrative Continuity**: A functioning commune since the establishment of the French municipal system in 1789.
- **Geographic Precision**: Defined by exact coordinates (48.930277777778 N, 6.9802777777778 E) within the Bas-Rhin.
- **Demographic Consistency**: Maintains a population consistently under 420 residents across multiple census periods.
- **Digital Presence**: Featured in 45 different language sitelinks and hosted on Wikimedia Commons.
- **Regional Identity**: Part of the European Collectivity of Alsace and the arrondissement of Saverne.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Altwiller is a commune located in the Bas-Rhin department, which is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace in northeastern France. Its precise geographic position is marked by the coordinates 48.930277777778° North latitude and 6.9802777777778° East longitude. Administratively, the commune falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Saverne. This location places it within the historical and cultural sphere of Alsace, a region that has historically shifted between French and German control. The commune is a territorial subdivision of France, a category established in 1789, and operates within the broader framework of the French Republic.

### Historical Context and Administrative Evolution
The history of Altwiller is intertwined with the broader history of the Alsace-Lorraine region. From 1871 to 1918, the area was part of the German Empire, specifically within the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen. During this period, Altwiller was located in the central district known as Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace), which was established on May 20, 1871. Following the return of the region to France, the administrative structure was reorganized. The Bas-Rhin department was created on March 4, 1790, and continues to serve as the primary administrative district for Altwiller today. The commune itself is a standard French municipality, a status that has been consistent since the inception of the commune system in 1789.

### Demographics and Population Statistics
Altwiller is a small municipality with a population that has shown minor fluctuations over time. Census data records the population at various points as 418, 417, 419, 395, 384, 380, 377, 375, 374, and 373 inhabitants. These figures indicate a stable, small-scale community typical of rural communes in the Bas-Rhin department. The population density and size reflect the commune's role as a local residential area rather than a major urban center. The data points provide a historical snapshot of the demographic trends within this specific sector of Alsace.

### Cultural and Religious Landmarks
The most prominent feature of Altwiller is its Protestant church, known as the Église protestante. This structure serves as a focal point for the local community and is a significant element of the commune's cultural identity. The church is documented in visual media, with a specific photograph taken by the artist Rauenstein. This image is available in the public domain and is hosted on Wikimedia Commons under the file name `Altwiller, Église protestante.jpg`. The presence of a Protestant church highlights the religious diversity of the Alsace region, which has historically been a mix of Catholic and Protestant communities.

### Digital Presence and Data Representation
Altwiller maintains a presence in the digital knowledge ecosystem, with a dedicated Wikipedia page titled "Altwiller." The entity is linked to 45 different language versions or related entries, indicating a moderate level of international recognition or data availability. The visual representation of the commune is standardized through the use of the Rauenstein photograph, which serves as the thumbnail and main image for the entity across various platforms. The image is licensed under the public domain, allowing for unrestricted use and distribution. The Wikidata description explicitly defines Altwiller as a "commune in Bas-Rhin, France," ensuring clarity in automated data processing and search engine indexing.

### Connection to Broader Entities
Altwiller is inextricably linked to several larger administrative and historical entities. It is a constituent part of the Bas-Rhin department, which is headquartered in Strasbourg and has 101 sitelinks. The commune is also part of the arrondissement of Saverne, which has 33 sitelinks. Historically, it connects to the entity "Unterelsaß," a district of the German Empire with 8 sitelinks, and "France," the sovereign state with 409 sitelinks. These connections place Altwiller within a hierarchical structure of governance, from the local commune level up to the national and historical imperial levels. The entity's data is structured to reflect these relationships, ensuring that its location and history are understood in the context of the larger French and European landscape.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
3. INSEE code
4. [Source](https://lingualibre.org/wiki/Q781121)
5. répertoire géographique des communes
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Annuaire de service-public.fr
8. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
9. Populations légales 2016
10. Populations légales 2017
11. Populations légales 2018
12. Populations légales 2019
13. Populations légales 2020
14. Populations légales 2021
15. Populations de référence 2022
16. Populations de référence 2023
17. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
18. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
19. GeoNames
20. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
21. [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)
22. [Code officiel géographique. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
23. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)