# Katzenthal

> commune in Haut-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q83237](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83237)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katzenthal)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/katzenthal

## Summary
Katzenthal is a commune located in the Haut-Rhin department of France. It is part of the Alsace region and is classified as a territorial subdivision for municipalities within the French administrative system.

## Key Facts
- **Country**: France
- **Region**: Alsace (European Collectivity of Alsace)
- **Department**: Haut-Rhin
- **Canton**: Formerly part of the canton of Kaysersberg (until March 2015)
- **Arrondissement**: Part of the arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé (since 2015); previously part of the arrondissement of Ribeauvillé
- **Population**: 539, 533, 552, 528, 539, 537, 538, 527, 517, 506 (recent recorded values)
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 48.107777777778, Longitude 7.2822222222222
- **Website**: [http://www.katzenthal.fr](http://www.katzenthal.fr)
- **Image Source**: [Katzenthal1.JPG](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/Katzenthal1.JPG)
- **Image Artist**: Torsade de Pointes
- **Image License**: Public domain
- **Wikipedia Title**: Katzenthal
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Haut-Rhin, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 40

## FAQs
**What is Katzenthal?**  
Katzenthal is a commune in the Haut-Rhin department of France, located in the Alsace region. It is part of the French administrative system as a territorial subdivision for municipalities.

**Where is Katzenthal located?**  
Katzenthal is situated in the Haut-Rhin department, which is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace in northeastern France. Its geographic coordinates are approximately 48.1078°N, 7.2822°E.

**What administrative divisions is Katzenthal part of?**  
Katzenthal belongs to the arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé, established in 2015. Prior to this, it was part of the arrondissement of Ribeauvillé. It was formerly in the canton of Kaysersberg until March 2015.

**What is the population of Katzenthal?**  
The population of Katzenthal has ranged between 506 and 552 in recent years, with specific values including 539, 533, 528, 537, 538, 527, 517, and 506.

**Does Katzenthal have an official website?**  
Yes, Katzenthal has an official website: [http://www.katzenthal.fr](http://www.katzenthal.fr).

## Why It Matters
Katzenthal represents a local administrative unit within France’s decentralized governance structure. As part of the Haut-Rhin department in Alsace, it contributes to the cultural and demographic landscape of northeastern France. Its inclusion in evolving administrative regions like the arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé reflects broader territorial reforms in France since 2015. The commune is part of the historical Alsace region, which has experienced shifts in sovereignty, including periods under German control during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

## Notable For
- **Administrative Reorganization**: Katzenthal transitioned from the arrondissement of Ribeauvillé to Colmar-Ribeauvillé in 2015 as part of French administrative reforms.
- **Historical Context**: The commune is located in Alsace, a region that was part of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918 under the district of Upper Alsace.
- **Cultural Heritage**: Katzenthal is situated in a historically bilingual and bicultural region, blending French and German influences.
- **Public Domain Imagery**: Features a freely licensed image by Torsade de Pointes, available on Wikimedia Commons.
- **Low Population Density**: With a population consistently under 600, it represents a small rural commune within France’s municipal structure.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Katzenthal is a commune located in the Haut-Rhin department, part of the European Collectivity of Alsace in northeastern France. It lies at approximately latitude 48.1078 and longitude 7.2822, placing it in the historical region of Alsace. This region was under German control as part of Upper Alsace from 1871 to 1918 during the German Empire.

### Administrative Structure
Katzenthal is classified as a commune of France, a territorial subdivision for municipalities established since 1789. It is part of the arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé, which was formed on January 1, 2015. Prior to this, it belonged to the arrondissement of Ribeauvillé. The commune was formerly part of the canton of Kaysersberg until March 2015.

### Demographics
The population of Katzenthal has remained relatively stable, with recent figures including 539, 533, 552, 528, 539, 537, 538, 527, 517, and 506. These numbers indicate a small, rural community typical of many Alsatian communes.

### Historical Context
Alsace, including Katzenthal, was historically part of the Alsace-Lorraine imperial territory under the German Empire from 1871 to 1918. During this period, the southern district was known as Upper Alsace. The region was returned to France after World War I and has since undergone various administrative reorganizations, including the 2015 arrondissement reforms.

### Online Presence
Katzenthal maintains an official website at [http://www.katzenthal.fr](http://www.katzenthal.fr), which serves as a digital hub for local information and civic engagement. The commune is also represented on Wikimedia Commons with an image titled *Katzenthal1.JPG*, contributed by Torsade de Pointes and licensed under the public domain.

### Cultural and Regional Significance
As part of Alsace, Katzenthal is embedded in a region known for its bilingual and bicultural heritage. The area blends French and German traditions, influenced by its complex history of territorial shifts. This cultural identity is reflected in local architecture, language, and customs.

### Governance and Decentralization
Katzenthal operates under France’s decentralized administrative system, where communes are the smallest level of governance. It is subject to departmental oversight by Haut-Rhin and national policies from Paris. The commune’s integration into the arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé reflects France’s ongoing efforts to streamline local governance.

### Notable Features
- **Public Domain Image**: The image of Katzenthal is freely available and attributed to Torsade de Pointes.
- **Low Population**: With fewer than 600 residents, Katzenthal exemplifies rural French communes that maintain local traditions within a modern administrative framework.
- **Historical Legacy**: Its location in Alsace links it to a unique history of Franco-German cultural exchange and territorial evolution.

## References

1. CD Atlas of France
2. BnF authorities
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
5. [Source](https://lingualibre.fr/wiki/Q4272)
6. [Source](https://lingualibre.org/wiki/Q780891)
7. répertoire géographique des communes
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Annuaire de service-public.fr
10. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
11. Populations légales 2016
12. Populations légales 2017
13. Populations légales 2018
14. Populations légales 2019
15. Populations légales 2020
16. Populations légales 2021
17. Populations de référence 2022
18. Populations de référence 2023
19. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
20. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
21. GeoNames
22. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
23. [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)
24. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)