# Gœrlingen > commune in Bas-Rhin, France **Wikidata**: [Q21553](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21553) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gœrlingen) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/g-rlingen ## Summary Gœrlingen is a commune located in the Bas-Rhin department of the Alsace region in northeastern France. Situated at coordinates 48.796111°N latitude and 7.0825°E longitude, this small municipality falls within the arrondissement of Saverne and represents one of the numerous communes that comprise the French administrative division of Bas-Rhin. The commune serves as a local administrative unit within the historical territory of Alsace, a region that has experienced complex territorial changes between France and Germany throughout history. ## Key Facts - **Official Name**: Gœrlingen (also known as Goerlingen or Görlingen) - **Location**: Bas-Rhin department, Alsace region, France - **Administrative Hierarchy**: Part of the arrondissement of Saverne - **Country**: France - **Coordinates**: 48.796111°N latitude, 7.0825°E longitude - **Type of Entity**: Commune of France (municipal territorial subdivision) - **Commune of France Inception**: 1789 (established during the French Revolution) - **Bas-Rhin District Inception**: March 4, 1790 - **Wikipedia Title**: Gœrlingen - **Wikidata Description**: commune in Bas-Rhin, France - **Sitelink Count**: 45 - **Historical Territory**: Unterelsaß (Central Alsace) - part of the German Empire's Alsace-Lorraine from 1871 to 1918 - **Population History**: 247, 250, 244, 227, 215, 209, 204, 199, 204, 210 (historical census figures) ## FAQs **What region is Gœrlingen located in?** Gœrlingen is located in the Bas-Rhin department within the Alsace region of northeastern France. It is part of the arrondissement of Saverne, which is one of the administrative divisions serving the European Collectivity of Alsace. **What is the historical context of Gœrlingen's region?** The Alsace region, including Bas-Rhin, has a complex territorial history. The area known as Unterelsaß (Central Alsace) was part of the German Empire's Alsace-Lorraine (Elsaß-Lothringen) from May 20, 1871, until the end of World War I in 1918. Before this German period, the territory was French, and it returned to French control after the Treaty of Versailles. **What type of administrative division is Gœrlingen?** Gœrlingen is a commune, which is the smallest territorial administrative division in France. The commune system was established during the French Revolution in 1789 and serves as the fundamental unit of local government, similar to a municipality in other countries. **What are the alternative names for Gœrlingen?** Gœrlingen is known by two alternative spellings: Goerlingen (without the o-umlaut) and Görlingen. These variations reflect the German influence on the region's place names, particularly given Alsace's bilingual historical context. **What is the geographical position of Gœrlingen?** Gœrlingen is situated at coordinates 48.796111°N latitude and 7.0825°E longitude in northeastern France, near the German border. The commune lies within the Bas-Rhin department, which occupies the northern portion of the Alsace region along the Rhine River valley. ## Why It Matters Gœrlingen represents the granular administrative structure that forms the foundation of French local governance. As one of France's approximately 35,000 communes, it embodies the decentralized administrative system that has characterized French governance since the Revolution of 1789. The commune system allows for localized administration of public services, local planning, and community representation tailored to the specific needs of each municipality. The commune's location in Bas-Rhin places it within a region of significant historical and strategic importance. Alsace has served as a crossroads between French and German civilizations for centuries, and the territory's complex history reflects broader European geopolitical shifts. The presence of Gœrlingen within this historical context demonstrates how local administrative units preserve regional identity while functioning within larger national frameworks. From a practical standpoint, communes like Gœrlingen handle essential local functions including civil registration, local taxation, urban planning, and maintenance of public spaces and roads. The commune structure also facilitates citizen participation in local governance through municipal councils and mayors, ensuring that local voices have representation in decision-making processes that affect their daily lives. ## Notable For - **Administrative Continuity**: Gœrlingen represents the enduring French commune system established during the French Revolution in 1789, demonstrating over two centuries of continuous municipal administration - **Historical Territory**: Located in the historical region of Unterelsaß (Central Alsace), which was part of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918, reflecting the complex territorial history of the Alsace-Lorraine region - **Regional Identity**: Part of the European Collectivity of Alsace, a region with a distinct cultural identity, bilingual (French-German) heritage, and unique administrative status within France - **Local Governance**: Serves as an active commune within the arrondissement of Saverne, contributing to the decentralized administrative structure of the Bas-Rhin department ## Body ### Geography and Location Gœrlingen is situated in the northeastern French region of Alsace, specifically within the Bas-Rhin department. The commune's precise geographical coordinates are 48.796111°N latitude and 7.0825°E longitude, placing it in the northern portion of the Alsace plain along the Rhine River valley. The terrain of the Bas-Rhin department generally consists of the Rhine plain, the Vosges mountains to the west, and the Hanau plain in the north. The commune lies within the arrondissement of Saverne, one of the administrative divisions serving the Bas-Rhin department. The arrondissement of Saverne covers a significant portion of northern Alsace and includes numerous communes ranging from small rural municipalities like Gœrlingen to larger towns. The Bas-Rhin department itself encompasses the northern part of the Alsace region and is bordered by Germany to the east across the Rhine River, and by the department of Haut-Rhin to the south. ### Administrative History The commune system in France was established during the French Revolution in 1789, replacing the previous system of parishes and jurisdictions. Gœrlingen, as a commune of France, traces its official administrative inception to this revolutionary period, when France was reorganized into departments, arrondissements, and communes. The Bas-Rhin department was created on March 4, 1790, during the initial reorganization of French administrative divisions. This department was formed from territory that had previously been part of the province of Alsace. The department name literally means "Lower Rhine" in French, referring to the lower course of the Rhine River that flows along the department's eastern border. The historical territory of Alsace, including what is now Bas-Rhin, experienced significant territorial changes between France and German-speaking states over the centuries. From 1871 to 1918, following the Franco-Prussian War, the region became part of the German Empire as Alsace-Lorraine (Elsaß-Lothringen). Within this German administrative structure, the area was divided into districts (Bezirke), with Unterelsaß (Central Alsace) being one of the three main districts. Gœrlingen would have been part of this German administrative structure during this period. The territory returned to French control after World War I and has remained French since that time, though the region retains strong cultural ties to its Germanic heritage. ### Regional Context: The European Collectivity of Alsace Gœrlingen is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace, a unique administrative entity created through the merger of the former Alsace, Champagne-Ardenne, and Lorraine regions in 2016 (though this merger was subsequently reversed in 2021 for Alsace specifically). The current European Collectivity of Alsace represents a distinct administrative framework that gives the Alsace region greater autonomy in certain policy areas, particularly in cross-border cooperation with Germany and Switzerland. The Alsace region is known for its bilingual character, with both French and Alsatian (a Germanic dialect) being spoken in daily life. The region has also developed unique culinary traditions, architectural styles, and cultural practices that distinguish it from other French regions. Cities in the vicinity of Gœrlingen include Strasbourg (the regional capital), Haguenau, and Saverne, each offering historical and cultural attractions that reflect the region's complex heritage. ### Population and Demographics While specific demographic data for Gœrlingen is limited in the source material, the historical population figures provided (247, 250, 244, 227, 215, 209, 204, 199, 204, 210) indicate a small rural commune typical of the Alsace region's agricultural communities. These population figures, recorded across different census years, suggest relative stability in the commune's population, with slight fluctuations that are common in rural areas experiencing both emigration to urban centers and some counter-urbanization. The Bas-Rhin department as a whole is one of the more densely populated departments in France, with a population density significantly higher than the national average, largely due to the presence of Strasbourg and its metropolitan area. However, rural communes like Gœrlingen maintain lower population densities, reflecting their agricultural character and smaller geographic footprints. ### Administrative Structure and Governance As a French commune, Gœrlingen is governed by a municipal council headed by a mayor. The commune serves as the lowest level of French administrative division, responsible for local matters including civil status (births, marriages, deaths), local taxes, local planning and zoning, maintenance of municipal roads and infrastructure, and various public services. The mayor serves as both the head of the municipal government and the representative of the central government at the local level for certain administrative functions. The commune is part of the arrondissement of Saverne, which itself is part of the Bas-Rhin department. This hierarchical structure (region > department > arrondissement > commune) represents the standard French administrative organization. At the departmental level, the prefecture (government headquarters) is located in Strasbourg, while the subprefecture of Saverne handles administrative functions for the arrondissement. ### Historical Significance The history of Gœrlingen is intimately tied to the broader history of Alsace and the Bas-Rhin region. The territory has passed between French and German control multiple times throughout history, most notably following the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, when the German Empire annexed Alsace-Lorraine. During this period (1871-1918), the region was organized under German administration, with local communes like Gœrlingen becoming part of the German Empire's administrative framework. The return of Alsace to France after World War I, confirmed by the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, restored the French administrative system, including the commune structure. The region experienced another brief period of German occupation during World War II (1940-1944), but returned to French control after the war ended. This complex history has left lasting marks on the region's culture, language, and administrative organization. ### Economic and Cultural Context The economy of Gœrlingen and similar communes in rural Bas-Rhin has traditionally been based on agriculture, particularly grain farming, viticulture, and livestock raising. The Alsace region is renowned for its wine production, with the Bas-Rhin department being particularly known for white wine varieties such as Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris. In modern times, the economy of the Bas-Rhin department has diversified to include industry, services, and tourism. The proximity to Germany and the presence of Strasbourg have facilitated cross-border economic ties, with many residents commuting to work in Germany or participating in transborder economic activities. The European Collectivity of Alsace promotes economic development through initiatives supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, innovation, and cross-border cooperation. ### Connection to Related Entities Gœrlingen's administrative relationships connect it to several important entities: The commune of France represents the category of territorial subdivisions to which Gœrlingen belongs, established in 1789 as part of the revolutionary reorganization of French administration. Bas-Rhin is the French administrative district that encompasses Gœrlingen, created on March 4, 1790, and serving as the primary administrative unit above the commune level. The arrondissement of Saverne is the intermediate administrative division that includes Gœrlingen, providing a level of government between the department and the commune. Unterelsaß represents the German historical name for Central Alsace, the district within Alsace-Lorraine during the German Empire period from 1871 to 1918, connecting Gœrlingen to its historical administrative context. France serves as the overarching national entity, providing the constitutional and administrative framework within which Gœrlingen operates as a commune. ## References 1. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018 2. INSEE code 3. [Source](https://lingualibre.org/wiki/Q781194) 4. répertoire géographique des communes 5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 6. Annuaire de service-public.fr 7. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017 8. Populations légales 2016 9. Populations légales 2017 10. Populations légales 2018 11. Populations légales 2019 12. Populations légales 2020 13. Populations légales 2021 14. Populations de référence 2022 15. Populations de référence 2023 16. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419) 17. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies 18. GeoNames 19. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z) 20. [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) 21. [Code officiel géographique. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c) 22. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)