# Bourbach-le-Haut > commune in Haut-Rhin, France **Wikidata**: [Q325232](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q325232) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bourbach-le-Haut) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bourbach-le-haut ## Summary Bourbach-le-Haut is a commune located in the Haut-Rhin department in the Alsace region of northeastern France. Situated at coordinates 47.795555555556°N latitude and 7.0297222222222°E longitude, this small municipality serves as a local administrative unit within the French territorial system. The commune falls under the arrondissement of Thann-Guebwiller and is part of the historical region known as Upper Alsace, which was part of the German Empire's Alsace-Lorraine from 1871 to 1918. ## Key Facts - **Official Name**: Bourbach-le-Haut - **Type**: Commune (municipality) in France - **Department**: Haut-Rhin - **Region**: Alsace (Alsace-Champagne-Ardenne-Lorraine) - **Arrondissement**: Thann-Guebwiller (current, since 2015); previously Thann - **Historical Region**: Upper Alsace (southern district of Alsace-Lorraine in German Empire, 1871-1918) - **Country**: France - **Coordinates**: 47.795555555556°N, 7.0297222222222°E - **Population**: Approximately 408-430 residents (varying across recent years) - **Official Website**: http://www.bourbach-le-haut.fr - **Commune Status Established**: 1789 (commune system inception in France) - **Haut-Rhin Department Established**: March 4, 1790 - **Arrondissement of Thann-Guebwiller Established**: January 1, 2015 - **Aliases**: Oberburbach, Ìwerburbàch, Bourbach le Haut - **Wikipedia Title**: Bourbach-le-Haut - **Wikidata Description**: commune in Haut-Rhin, France ## FAQs **What type of administrative area is Bourbach-le-Haut?** Bourbach-le-Haut is a commune, which is the smallest territorial administrative division in France. Communes are analogous to municipalities or townships in other countries and serve as the fundamental unit of local government. Each commune has its own mayor and municipal council. **Which department and region is Bourbach-le-Haut located in?** Bourbach-le-Haut is located in the Haut-Rhin department, which is part of the Alsace region in northeastern France. The department is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace, a unique territorial collectivity with special administrative status. **What is the historical context of Bourbach-le-Haut's region?** The commune is situated in Upper Alsace, the southern district of the historical territory of Alsace-Lorraine. From 1871 to 1918, following the Franco-Prussian War, this region was part of the German Empire. The area returned to French control after World War I and has remained part of France since, though it briefly came under German control again during World War II. **What arrondissement does Bourbach-le-Haut belong to?** Bourbach-le-Haut is currently part of the arrondissement of Thann-Guebwiller, which was established on January 1, 2015, as part of a French administrative reorganization. Previously, it belonged to the arrondissement of Thann, which was dissolved during this restructuring. **What is the geographic location of Bourbach-le-Haut?** The commune is located at approximately 47.7956°N latitude and 7.0297°E longitude, placing it in the southern part of the Haut-Rhin department near the Vosges mountains, close to the border with Germany and Switzerland. ## Why It Matters Bourbach-le-Haut represents the quintessential French rural commune, embodying the decentralized administrative structure that defines local governance in France. While small in population, communes like Bourbach-le-Haut form the foundational building blocks of French territorial organization, each serving as a center for local services, civic administration, and community identity. The commune's location in Haut-Rhin places it in one of France's most historically significant regions. Alsace has been at the crossroads of Franco-German relations for centuries, and the territory's complex history—alternating between French and German control—makes it a fascinating case study in European border regions. Bourbach-le-Haut, as part of Upper Alsace, sits at the heart of this historically contested area. From a practical standpoint, communes like Bourbach-le-Haut provide essential services to residents, including local taxation, urban planning, civil registration (births, marriages, deaths), and maintenance of local infrastructure. The commune system, which dates to 1789, represents one of the oldest continuous systems of local government in the world and serves as a model for municipal organization in many countries. The commune also contributes to France's distinctive character as a nation of small municipalities. With over 34,000 communes in metropolitan France alone, this decentralized structure allows for highly localized governance while maintaining national cohesion. Bourbach-le-Haut, despite its small size, participates in this democratic tradition through local elections and municipal decision-making. ## Notable For - **Historical Location**: Situated in Upper Alsace, part of the historically contested Alsace-Lorraine region that changed hands between France and Germany multiple times between 1871 and 1945 - **Administrative Restructuring**: Part of the modernized arrondissement system following the 2015 administrative reorganization in France - **Part of European Collectivity of Alsace**: Among the communes benefiting from the unique status of the European Collectivity of Alsace, which grants special administrative autonomy - **Bilingual Cultural Heritage**: Located in a region where French and German cultural influences intersect, reflected in local place names and regional identity ## Body ### Geography and Location Bourbach-le-Haut is positioned at coordinates 47.795555555556°N latitude and 7.0297222222222°E longitude, placing it in the southern portion of the Haut-Rhin department. The commune lies in the Upper Alsace region, which occupies the southern part of the broader Alsace area nestled against the Vosges mountains. This geographic positioning places the commune in close proximity to the German border, approximately 30 kilometers from Germany and 50 kilometers from Switzerland. The terrain in this region is characterized by rolling hills and forested areas typical of the Vosges foothills. The commune's location in Upper Alsace places it within one of France's most productive agricultural regions, known for its vineyards, breweries, and specialty foods. The landscape benefits from a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers, influenced by both Atlantic and continental weather patterns. ### Administrative Structure Bourbach-le-Haut operates as a commune, which is the lowest level of administrative territorial division in France. The commune system was established during the French Revolution in 1789 and remains the fundamental unit of local government. Each commune is governed by a mayor and municipal council, which are elected through local elections held every six years. The commune falls within the jurisdiction of several higher-level administrative entities. At the departmental level, it is part of Haut-Rhin, one of two departments in the Alsace region (along with Bas-Rhin). The department of Haut-Rhin was created on March 4, 1790, during the early years of the French Revolution. At the regional level, Haut-Rhin is part of the Alsace-Champagne-Ardenne-Lorraine region, created in 2016 as part of another administrative reorganization that merged the former Alsace, Champagne-Ardenne, and Lorraine regions. At the arrondissement level, Bourbach-le-Haut is part of the arrondissement of Thann-Guebwiller, which was officially established on January 1, 2015. This arrondissement was created as part of a nationwide restructuring of sub-prefectures in France. Prior to this date, the commune belonged to the arrondissement of Thann, which was dissolved during the reorganization. The sub-prefecture (administrative center) of Thann-Guebwiller is located in the city of Guebwiller. ### Historical Context The history of Bourbach-le-Haut is inextricably linked to the broader history of Alsace, particularly the region known as Upper Alsace. This area has a complex history of territorial changes between France and various German states, notably the Holy Roman Empire, and later the German Empire. From 1871 to 1918, Upper Alsace was part of the German Empire following France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. The region was known as Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) and was organized into districts (Bezirke), with Upper Alsace constituting the southern district. During this period, the region experienced significant German influence in administration, education, and cultural affairs. Following World War I, the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 returned Alsace-Lorraine to France. The region then experienced a period of French administration until World War II, when Germany again annexed the territory from 1940 to 1944. After the war, Alsace-Lorraine was definitively returned to France, and the region has remained French since 1945. This historical legacy has left a distinctive cultural imprint on the region, including bilingual signage, distinct culinary traditions, and a unique regional identity that blends French and German influences. The commune's German-language aliases, Oberburbach and Ìwerburbàch (the latter in the Alsatian dialect), reflect this bilingual heritage. ### Regional Context: The European Collectivity of Alsace Bourbach-le-Haut is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace, a unique territorial collectivity created on January 1, 2021 that replaced the former Alsace region and departmental councils. This new administrative entity brings together the territories of Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin departments under a single governing body with enhanced competencies. The European Collectivity of Alsace represents an experiment in decentralized governance within France, granting the region greater autonomy in areas such as economic development, transportation, and cultural affairs. This status recognizes the distinct identity and historical significance of the Alsace region within the French Republic. ### Relationship to France As a French commune, Bourbach-le-Haut is an integral part of the French Republic, one of the world's oldest nation-states and a founding member of the European Union. France operates as a semi-presidential republic with a unitary system of government, characterized by significant central authority combined with decentralized local administration through communes, departments, and regions. France, with a population of approximately 68.6 million people and an area of 643,801 square kilometers, is one of the largest and most influential countries in Europe. The nation is known for its cultural heritage, economic strength, and diplomatic significance. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a founding member of the European Union and NATO, France plays a crucial role in international affairs. The commune system in France, to which Bourbach-le-Haut belongs, reflects the French commitment to decentralized governance. With over 34,000 communes across metropolitan France and overseas territories, this system allows for highly localized administration while maintaining national cohesion. Each commune, regardless of size, has the same legal status and powers, ensuring equal treatment under French law. ### Local Administration and Services As a commune, Bourbach-le-Haut provides various local services to its residents. These include civil registration (recording births, marriages, and deaths), local urban planning and zoning, maintenance of local roads and public spaces, and administration of local taxes. The commune also serves as the locus for local elections and civic participation. The municipal government, led by the mayor, makes decisions on local matters that affect the daily lives of residents. These decisions are made in consultation with the municipal council, which represents the local community. Despite its small size, the commune maintains the administrative infrastructure required to serve its population effectively. ### Demographics and Community While specific population figures for Bourbach-le-Haut vary across different data points (ranging from approximately 408 to 430 residents in recent years), the commune represents a small but stable rural community typical of the Alsace region. The population density in this area is moderate, with a mix of agricultural land, residential areas, and natural spaces. The community benefits from the region's strong sense of local identity and civic engagement. Rural communes in France often maintain active community lives, with local festivals, cultural events, and associations playing important roles in social cohesion. The commune's website (http://www.bourbach-le-haut.fr) serves as a point of contact for residents and visitors alike. ### Economic and Cultural Life The economy of Bourbach-le-Haut and the surrounding Upper Alsace region is characterized by a mix of agriculture, small-scale manufacturing, and services. The region is known for its vineyards, particularly along the Alsace Wine Route, as well as its production of beer, charcuterie, and other specialty foods. The Vosges mountains provide opportunities for tourism, including hiking, skiing, and other outdoor activities. Culturally, the commune participates in the distinctive Alsatian heritage, which includes unique architectural styles (such as half-timbered houses), culinary traditions (including flammekueche and baeckeoffe), and the Alsatian dialect of German. This cultural blend creates a regional identity that is distinctly different from other parts of France, making Alsace one of the country's most culturally distinctive regions. ### Connection to Surrounding Areas Bourbach-le-Haut is part of a network of communes in the Thann-Guebwiller area, which serves as a local center for commerce, services, and administration. The nearby city of Mulhouse, one of the largest urban areas in Alsace, provides additional economic and cultural opportunities for residents of surrounding communes. The region's transportation infrastructure includes road connections to major French and European cities, as well as rail links that connect Alsace to the broader European high-speed rail network. The proximity to Germany and Switzerland facilitates cross-border trade and cultural exchange, making the region an important hub for European integration. ## 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/Q780809) 6. répertoire géographique des communes 7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 8. Annuaire de service-public.fr 9. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017 10. Populations légales 2016 11. Populations légales 2017 12. Populations légales 2018 13. Populations légales 2019 14. Populations légales 2020 15. Populations légales 2021 16. Populations de référence 2022 17. Populations de référence 2023 18. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419) 19. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies 20. GeoNames 21. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z) 22. [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) 23. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)