# Bischwiller

> commune in Bas-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q22431](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q22431)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bischwiller)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bischwiller

## Summary
Bischwiller is a commune located in the Bas-Rhin department within the Grand Est region of northeastern France. It serves as a specific municipal entity situated in the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg and is historically linked to the former district of Unterelsaß. The town functions as a local administrative center with a population fluctuating around 12,500 to 12,700 residents.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France.
- **Location**: Bas-Rhin department, France.
- **Administrative Hierarchy**: Part of the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg (established January 1, 2015).
- **Former Administrative Unit**: Previously part of the arrondissement of Haguenau.
- **Canton**: Located within the canton of Bischwiller (established March 22, 2015).
- **Historical District**: Located in the area formerly known as Unterelsaß (central district of Elsaß-Lothringen, 1871–1918).
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 48.766388888889, Longitude 7.8569444444444.
- **Population Data Points**: 12,718; 12,579; 12,709; 12,538; 12,615; 12,746; 12,606; 12,435; 12,211; 12,242.
- **Official Website**: https://www.ville-bischwiller.fr.
- **Aliases**: Birkenfeld-Bischweiler, Bischweiler, Bischofsweiler.
- **Transport Infrastructure**: Home to Gare de Bischwiller, a railway station.
- **Country Context**: Situated in France, a semi-presidential republic with a population of 68,605,616 (2025 estimate) and a capital in Paris.
- **Regional Context**: Part of the European Collectivity of Alsace (Bas-Rhin inception: March 4, 1790).

## FAQs
**What is the administrative status of Bischwiller within France?**
Bischwiller is a commune, which is the lowest level of administrative division in France. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Bas-Rhin department and the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg, having been reorganized into this specific arrondissement on January 1, 2015.

**Where is Bischwiller located geographically and historically?**
Geographically, the commune is situated at coordinates 48.766388888889° N and 7.8569444444444° E in the Bas-Rhin department. Historically, this area was part of the central district of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen, known as Unterelsaß, during the German Empire from 1871 to 1918.

**What are the known aliases and population figures for Bischwiller?**
The town is also known by the aliases Birkenfeld-Bischweiler, Bischweiler, and Bischofsweiler. Population records show fluctuations over time, with specific counts including 12,746, 12,718, 12,709, 12,615, 12,606, 12,579, 12,538, 12,435, 12,242, and 12,211.

**What infrastructure and transportation links serve the commune?**
The commune is served by the Gare de Bischwiller, a railway station that connects the town to the broader French rail network. It is also part of the canton of Bischwiller, which was established on March 22, 2015, to organize local governance and elections.

## Why It Matters
Bischwiller matters as a representative example of the complex administrative and historical evolution of the Alsace region. Its location in Bas-Rhin places it at the heart of a territory that has shifted sovereignty between France and Germany, specifically during the period of the German Empire's control over Unterelsaß from 1871 to 1918. The commune's existence and current structure reflect the modern French administrative reorganization, such as the 2015 merger into the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg and the formation of the canton of Bischwiller. As a commune with a stable population around 12,500, it contributes to the demographic and economic fabric of the Grand Est region, maintaining a distinct identity through its specific railway infrastructure and historical aliases.

## Notable For
- **Historical Sovereignty**: Located in the former Unterelsaß district, a key part of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen under the German Empire (1871–1918).
- **Administrative Reorganization**: Successfully transitioned into the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg on January 1, 2015.
- **Canton Formation**: Serves as the namesake and center for the canton of Bischwiller, established on March 22, 2015.
- **Railway Connectivity**: Hosts the Gare de Bischwiller, a critical transport node for the local population.
- **Multilingual Heritage**: Recognized by multiple aliases including Birkenfeld-Bischweiler and Bischofsweiler, reflecting its cross-cultural history.
- **Population Stability**: Maintains a consistent population range between 12,200 and 12,750 across recorded census periods.
- **Regional Integration**: Functions as a constituent part of the European Collectivity of Alsace within the Bas-Rhin department.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Bischwiller is situated in the Bas-Rhin department of France, with precise geographic coordinates at latitude 48.766388888889 and longitude 7.8569444444444. The commune is part of the broader Bas-Rhin administrative district, which was established on March 4, 1790, and serves as the headquarters for the European Collectivity of Alsace. Historically, the area corresponds to the central district of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen, known as Unterelsaß, which existed from May 20, 1871, until 1918 under the German Empire. The commune is bordered by the administrative structures of the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg, which replaced the former arrondissement of Haguenau on January 1, 2015.

### Administrative Structure
As a commune, Bischwiller operates under the French territorial subdivision system established in 1789. It is currently organized within the canton of Bischwiller, a political division created on March 22, 2015. The commune falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg, a reorganization that took effect on January 1, 2015. Prior to this date, it was part of the arrondissement of Haguenau. The commune maintains its own local government and is represented in the broader administrative hierarchy of the Bas-Rhin department and the Grand Est region.

### Demographics and Population
The population of Bischwiller has shown variation across different recorded periods, with specific data points including 12,746, 12,718, 12,709, 12,615, 12,606, 12,579, 12,538, 12,435, 12,242, and 12,211. These figures reflect the demographic trends of the commune within the context of the French national population, which stood at an estimated 68,605,616 in 2025. The commune's demographic profile contributes to the overall statistics of the Bas-Rhin department and the Alsace region.

### Infrastructure and Transport
The commune is served by the Gare de Bischwiller, a railway station that provides essential connectivity for residents and travelers. This station is a key piece of infrastructure within the commune, linking it to the national rail network of France. The presence of the station supports the economic and social activities of the town, facilitating movement within the Bas-Rhin department and beyond.

### Historical Context and Aliases
Bischwiller is known by several historical aliases, including Birkenfeld-Bischweiler, Bischweiler, and Bischofsweiler, which reflect its linguistic and cultural history. The town's location in the former Unterelsaß district highlights its significance during the period of the German Empire (1871–1918). This historical context is integral to understanding the commune's identity, as it has been part of both French and German administrative systems over the centuries. The transition from the arrondissement of Haguenau to the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg in 2015 marks a more recent administrative evolution.

### Digital Presence and Information
The official website for the commune is https://www.ville-bischwiller.fr, serving as a primary source of information for residents and visitors. The commune has a significant online presence, with a sitelink count of 54, indicating its visibility across various digital platforms. The Wikipedia title for the entity is "Bischwiller," and it is described as a commune in Bas-Rhin, France. The entity is also linked to the broader context of France, which has a sitelink count of 409, and the Bas-Rhin department, which has a sitelink count of 101.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
5. répertoire géographique des communes
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Czech National Authority Database
8. Annuaire de service-public.fr
9. MusicBrainz
10. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
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. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
21. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
22. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
23. GeoNames
24. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
25. [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)
26. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
27. museum-digital