# Gerstheim

> commune in Bas-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q21261](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21261)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerstheim)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gerstheim

## Summary
Gerstheim is a commune located in the Bas-Rhin department within the Grand Est region of northeastern France. It is situated in the historical region of Alsace, specifically within the arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein, and serves as a local municipality with a population of approximately 3,400 residents.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune (municipal subdivision of France).
- **Location**: Bas-Rhin department, Grand Est region, France.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 48.382222222222, Longitude 7.7025.
- **Administrative Arrondissement**: Arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein.
- **Historical Region**: Alsace (formerly part of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen/Unterelsaß under the German Empire from 1871 to 1918).
- **Population Data**: Recorded figures include 3,297; 3,382; 3,459; 3,448; 3,447; 3,449; 3,452; 3,463; 3,457; and 3,490.
- **Official Website**: http://www.gerstheim.fr.
- **Wikidata Identifier**: Associated with 47 sitelinks across various language Wikipedias.
- **Wikipedia Title**: "Gerstheim".
- **Parent Country**: France (Republic established 1789; current Fifth Republic since 1958).
- **Department Inception**: Bas-Rhin established on March 4, 1790.
- **Historical Context**: The area was known as "Unterelsaß" (Lower Alsace) during the German Empire period (1871–1918).

## FAQs
**Where exactly is Gerstheim located within France?**
Gerstheim is a commune situated in the Bas-Rhin department, which is part of the Grand Est region in northeastern France. It falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein.

**What is the population size of Gerstheim?**
The commune has a fluctuating population recorded in various census counts, with figures ranging from a low of 3,297 to a high of 3,490. Recent data points include specific counts such as 3,447, 3,452, and 3,463 residents.

**How is Gerstheim connected to the historical region of Alsace?**
Gerstheim lies within the historical territory of Alsace, an area that was part of the German Empire's imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen from 1871 to 1918. During this period, the central district was known as Unterelsaß before returning to French administration.

**What digital resources are available for Gerstheim?**
The commune maintains an official website at http://www.gerstheim.fr for local information. Additionally, it has a dedicated Wikipedia entry titled "Gerstheim" and is represented in 47 different language versions of the encyclopedia.

## Why It Matters
Gerstheim matters as a representative example of the administrative and historical complexity of the Alsace region, a territory that has shifted sovereignty between France and Germany multiple times. As a commune within the Bas-Rhin department, it contributes to the demographic and cultural fabric of the Grand Est region, reflecting the unique blend of French and German influences characteristic of Alsace. Its existence as a distinct municipality highlights the decentralized nature of French local governance, where communes serve as the fundamental unit of territorial organization. The entity's presence in global knowledge bases with 47 sitelinks underscores its recognition as a distinct geographical and cultural entity within the international community.

## Notable For
- **Geographic Precision**: Defined by exact coordinates at 48.382222222222° N, 7.7025° E.
- **Historical Sovereignty**: Located in a region that transitioned from the German Empire's "Unterelsaß" district to French administration in 1918.
- **Administrative Hierarchy**: Part of the specific arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein within the Bas-Rhin department.
- **Demographic Stability**: Maintains a consistent population base hovering around 3,400 to 3,500 residents across multiple census periods.
- **Digital Presence**: Recognized with a dedicated Wikipedia title and 47 international language sitelinks.
- **Regional Identity**: Embodies the cultural and administrative identity of the Bas-Rhin department, established in 1790.

## Body

### Geographic and Administrative Positioning
Gerstheim is geographically positioned at latitude 48.382222222222 and longitude 7.7025. It functions as a commune, which is the lowest level of administrative division in France. The commune is located within the Bas-Rhin department, a French administrative district established on March 4, 1790. Bas-Rhin is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace. Administratively, Gerstheim falls under the arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein. This arrondissement is a subdivision of the Bas-Rhin department and serves as a local administrative hub. The commune is part of the broader country of France, which is a semi-presidential republic.

### Historical Context and Regional Evolution
The territory containing Gerstheim has a complex history of shifting borders. From 1871 to 1918, during the existence of the German Empire, this area was part of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine). Specifically, it belonged to the central district known as Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace). This district was established on May 20, 1871. Following World War I, the region returned to French sovereignty. The Bas-Rhin department itself was created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790, as part of the reorganization of France into departments. The commune of Gerstheim, as a territorial subdivision, traces its administrative lineage to the general establishment of communes in France around 1789.

### Demographics and Population Statistics
Gerstheim maintains a population that has been recorded through various census periods. The specific population figures documented include 3,297, 3,382, 3,459, 3,448, 3,447, 3,449, 3,452, 3,463, 3,457, and 3,490. These numbers indicate a relatively stable population size for a rural or semi-rural commune in the region. The data reflects the demographic trends of the Bas-Rhin department and the wider Alsace region. As a commune, it is subject to the national demographic policies and census methodologies of the French Republic.

### Digital Presence and Knowledge Representation
In the digital knowledge ecosystem, Gerstheim is represented by a dedicated Wikipedia page titled "Gerstheim." This entity has a significant presence across language barriers, evidenced by a sitelink count of 47. This indicates that the commune is recognized and documented in 47 different language versions of Wikipedia. The entity is also cataloged in Wikidata, serving as a central node for structured data about the commune. The official digital gateway for the municipality is its website, located at http://www.gerstheim.fr, which provides local information to residents and visitors.

### Relationship to National and International Entities
Gerstheim is intrinsically linked to the French state. It operates under the legal and administrative framework of the French Republic, which has its capital in Paris and uses the Euro as its currency. The commune is part of the Bas-Rhin department, which is one of the 101 departments of France. The department is part of the Grand Est region. Historically, the area was influenced by the German Empire, specifically through the district of Unterelsaß, before becoming a permanent part of France. The commune's existence is tied to the broader history of France, including the Treaty of Verdun (843) which established West Francia, and the formation of the First French Empire in 1804, although these are national-level events that frame the commune's historical context.

## References

1. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/A---0000)
2. BnF authorities
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
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. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)