# Eglingen

> commune in Haut-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q457030](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q457030)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eglingen)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/eglingen

## Summary

Eglingen is a commune located in the Haut-Rhin department in the Alsace region of northeastern France. Situated at coordinates 47.665277777778°N latitude and 7.1819444444444°E longitude, this small municipality falls within the arrondissement of Altkirch and has been recognized with the Croix de guerre 1914-1918 military decoration for its role during World War I. As part of Upper Alsace, the commune occupies a historically significant position in the southern district of the former imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen during the German Empire period from 1871 to 1918.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Northeastern France, Alsace region, Haut-Rhin department, arrondissement of Altkirch
- **Coordinates**: 47.665277777778°N, 7.1819444444444°E
- **Administrative Status**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision for municipalities, established 1789)
- **Historical Region**: Upper Alsace (southern district of Alsace-Lorraine in the German Empire, 1871-1918)
- **Department Creation**: Haut-Rhin established March 4, 1790
- **Population**: 367 (census year 1), 366 (census year 2), 375 (census year 3), 365 (census year 4), 368 (census year 5), 371 (census year 6), 378 (census year 7), 372 (census year 8), 365 (census year 9), 358 (census year 10)
- **Recognition**: Croix de guerre 1914-1918 (French military decoration, instituted April 2, 1915)
- **Wikipedia Title**: Eglingen
- **Sitelink Count**: 40

## FAQs

**What type of administrative region does Eglingen belong to?**
Eglingen is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France, a system established in 1789 during the French Revolution.

**What department and arrondissement is Eglingen located in?**
Eglingen is located in the Haut-Rhin department of the Alsace region, specifically within the arrondissement of Altkirch.

**What historical significance does Eglingen hold?**
Eglingen is situated in Upper Alsace, which was part of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918 following the Franco-Prussian War. This region was known as Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) during that period.

**What recognition has Eglingen received?**
Eglingen has been awarded the Croix de guerre 1914-1918, a French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915, recognizing its suffering and damage during World War I.

**What are the geographical coordinates of Eglingen?**
Eglingen is located at latitude 47.665277777778°N and longitude 7.1819444444444°E.

## Why It Matters

Eglingen matters as a representative of the complex historical tapestry of Alsace, a region that has changed hands between France and Germany multiple times throughout history. The commune's receipt of the Croix de guerre 1914-1918 signifies its direct experience in the devastation of World War I, when the Alsace region became a major theater of conflict between French and German forces. The town's location in Upper Alsace places it at the heart of a region that was annexed by the German Empire in 1871 and returned to France after World War I, making it a symbol of the shifting boundaries and enduring identity of Alsace. As part of the arrondissement of Altkirch, Eglingen contributes to the administrative structure of one of France's most culturally distinct regions, where French and Germanic influences intersect in language, cuisine, and traditions.

## Notable For

- **Historical Military Recognition**: Awarded the Croix de guerre 1914-1918 for World War I contributions
- **Strategic Location**: Situated in Upper Alsace, a historically contested region between France and Germany
- **Administrative Placement**: Part of the arrondissement of Altkirch, one of the administrative divisions of Haut-Rhin
- **Departmental Heritage**: Located in Haut-Rhin, one of the original French departments created in 1790

## Body

### Geography and Location

Eglingen is positioned in the northeastern corner of France, within the Alsace region. The commune sits at coordinates 47.665277777778°N latitude and 7.1819444444444°E longitude, placing it in the southern portion of the Haut-Rhin department. This area of France is characterized by its proximity to the German border and its position in the Upper Rhine valley. The terrain and landscape of Eglingen reflect the typical geography of the Alsatian plain, which lies between the Vosges mountains to the west and the Rhine River to the east. The commune's position within the arrondissement of Altkirch places it in the southern administrative district of Haut-Rhin, which itself is known for its blend of French and Germanic cultural influences.

### Administrative History

The commune system in France, to which Eglingen belongs, was established in 1789 during the French Revolution as part of the rationalization of local government. The Haut-Rhin department itself was created on March 4, 1790, during the initial reorganization of France into departments following the Revolution. This department is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace, a unique territorial collectivity that was created in 2016 through the merger of the former Alsace region with Champagne-Ardenne and Lorraine. The arrondissement of Altkirch, within which Eglingen is located, serves as an administrative subdivision that coordinates local services and governance for the surrounding communes.

### Historical Context and Upper Alsace

Eglingen is situated in Upper Alsace, a historical designation for the southern portion of the Alsace region. During the period from 1871 to 1918, Upper Alsace was part of the German Empire's territory known as Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine). This territory was annexed by Germany following the Franco-Prussian War and the Treaty of Frankfurt in 1871. The German administration reorganized the region into districts (Bezirke), with Upper Alsace becoming one of these administrative divisions. After World War I, the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 returned Alsace-Lorraine to France, and the region has remained French since that time. This historical period has left a lasting imprint on the cultural and linguistic identity of the area, including Eglingen.

### Military Recognition and World War I

The Croix de guerre 1914-1918 awarded to Eglingen represents the commune's experience during the First World War. This French military decoration was instituted on April 2, 1915, by the French government to recognize towns and villages that suffered damage during the conflict or that had residents who distinguished themselves in combat. The award specifically acknowledges the suffering endured by civilian populations in the war zone. Alsace was a major front during World War I, with the Vosges mountains and the Alsace-Lorraine region seeing intense fighting as French forces sought to reclaim the territory from German control. The Croix de guerre serves as permanent testimony to this period in Eglingen's history.

### Population and Demographics

While the exact population figures from specific years are not fully detailed in the source material, the population data indicates that Eglingen has maintained a relatively stable population ranging between 358 and 378 residents across the recorded census years. This population size is consistent with many small rural communes in the Alsace region, where agriculture and small-scale local commerce have traditionally formed the economic backbone. The commune's modest population reflects the pattern of smaller municipalities in the arrondissement of Altkirch, where villages are often surrounded by agricultural land and are located within reasonable distance of larger towns that provide additional services and employment opportunities.

### Regional Context and Cultural Significance

Eglingen's location in Haut-Rhin places it within one of France's most distinctive cultural regions. The Alsace region is known for its unique blend of French and Germanic cultures, reflected in its architecture, cuisine, language (Alsatian German dialect), and traditions. The region has produced renowned wines, particularly in the areas surrounding the Route des Vins (Wine Route), and is famous for its half-timbered houses, Christmas markets, and culinary specialties such as Choucroute (sauerkraut) and Flammekueche (tarte flambée). The Haut-Rhin department includes the city of Colmar and is home to numerous communes similar to Eglingen, each contributing to the cultural richness of the region. The department's position as part of the European cross-border region, with close ties to Germany, Switzerland, and the wider Rhine Valley, gives Eglingen and its neighbors significance in European regional cooperation and economic exchange.

## 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/Q780830)
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)