# Kunheim > commune in Haut-Rhin, France **Wikidata**: [Q123172](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123172) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunheim) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kunheim ## Summary Kunheim is a commune in the Haut-Rhin department in the Grand Est region of northeastern France, situated in the historical region of Alsace. Located at coordinates 48.076388888889°N, 7.5344444444444°E, the commune belongs to the arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé and was historically part of the canton of Andolsheim until March 2015. As a French commune established under the territorial organization that began in 1789, Kunheim represents a small administrative unit within the French Republic's decentralized structure. ## Key Facts - **Location**: Northeastern France, Grand Est region, Haut-Rhin department - **Coordinates**: 48.076388888889°N latitude, 7.5344444444444°E longitude - **Administrative Status**: Commune of France (since 1789) - **Arrondissement**: Colmar-Ribeauvillé (established January 1, 2015) - **Former Arrondissement**: Colmar (pre-2015) - **Historical Canton**: Andolsheim (until March 2015) - **Department**: Haut-Rhin (established March 4, 1790) - **Historical Region**: Upper Alsace (part of German Empire's Alsace-Lorraine from 1871-1918) - **Country**: France - **Website**: https://kunheim.fr/ - **Wikipedia Title**: Kunheim - **Sitelink Count**: 41 ## FAQs **What type of administrative area is Kunheim?** Kunheim is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. The French commune system was established in 1789 during the French Revolution and serves as the fundamental unit of local government in the French Republic. **Which department and region does Kunheim belong to?** Kunheim is located in the Haut-Rhin department of the Grand Est region in northeastern France. The department of Haut-Rhin was created on March 4, 1790, and is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace. **What is the historical context of Kunheim's region?** Kunheim is situated in Upper Alsace, which was part of the German Empire's territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) from 1871 to 1918. This historical period followed the Franco-Prussian War, when the German Empire annexed the Alsace-Lorraine region. The area returned to French control after World War I. **How has Kunheim's administrative structure changed over time?** Kunheim was historically part of the canton of Andolsheim until March 2015. In 2015, French administrative reorganization led to the creation of the new arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé on January 1, 2015, replacing the former arrondissement of Colmar, which Kunheim had previously belonged to. **What are the geographical coordinates of Kunheim?** Kunheim is located at latitude 48.076388888889 and longitude 7.5344444444444, placing it in the northeastern portion of France near the German border. ## Why It Matters Kunheim represents the granular level of French local government administration, embodying the commune system that forms the foundation of France's territorial organization. Though a small municipality, Kunheim participates in the broader administrative framework that has evolved since the French Revolution of 1789, when communes were formally established as the basic units of local governance. The commune's location in Haut-Rhin places it at the heart of the historically contested Alsace region, which has changed hands between France and Germany multiple times throughout history. This geographical positioning gives Kunheim significance beyond its size, as it represents the French presence in an area of strategic and cultural importance in European history. The administrative changes of 2015, which moved Kunheim from the canton of Andolsheim and into the new arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé, reflect France's ongoing efforts to optimize local government efficiency while maintaining the distinctive character of Alsace as a cultural and administrative entity. The commune's website (https://kunheim.fr/) indicates active local governance and community engagement. ## Notable For - **Historical Territory**: Located in Upper Alsace, part of Alsace-Lorraine during German Empire rule (1871-1918) - **Administrative Evolution**: Part of the 2015 French administrative reorganization that created the arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé - **Departmental Heritage**: Situated in Haut-Rhin, one of the original French departments created in 1790 - **Cross-Border Region**: Positioned in France's eastern border region near Germany, reflecting Alsace's unique bilingual cultural heritage ## Body ### Geography and Location Kunheim is situated in northeastern France in the department of Haut-Rhin, which is part of the Grand Est region. The commune lies at coordinates 48.076388888889°N latitude and 7.5344444444444°E longitude. This positioning places Kunheim in the southern portion of the Alsace plain, near the Vosges mountains and in close proximity to the German border. The terrain and location have historically made this region strategically important, contributing to the area's complex political history. ### Administrative History The commune system in France was established in 1789 during the French Revolution, replacing the previous administrative divisions of the Ancien Régime. Kunheim, as a French commune, traces its modern administrative existence to this foundational period of French local government. The department of Haut-Rhin, which includes Kunheim, was created on March 4, 1790, during the initial reorganization of France into departments. Haut-Rhin is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace, a distinctive administrative arrangement that reflects the region's unique cultural heritage and bilingual character. ### Historical Context: Upper Alsace Kunheim is located in what is historically known as Upper Alsace (Oberelsass), which refers to the southern portion of the Alsace region. From 1871 to 1918, following the Franco-Prussian War, Upper Alsace became part of the German Empire's territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine). This period of German rule ended after World War I, when the region returned to French control through the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. The historical oscillation between French and German control has left a lasting impact on the region's culture, architecture, and administrative structures. Alsace remains distinctive within France for its bilingual (French and Alsatian) character and its unique blend of Germanic and French cultural elements. ### Administrative Reorganization of 2015 French administrative geography underwent significant changes in 2015. On January 1, 2015, the new arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé was established, replacing the former arrondissement of Colmar. This reorganization was part of a broader effort to streamline local administration in France. Simultaneously, the canton of Andolsheim, which had included Kunheim, was dissolved in March 2015 as part of these administrative reforms. The reorganization affected the electoral and administrative structures at the canton level, though communes themselves remained the fundamental units of local governance. ### Current Administrative Structure Today, Kunheim operates as a commune within the French Republic's decentralized administrative system. The commune is governed by a municipal council and mayor, as provided for under French law. The commune belongs to the arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé, which serves as an intermediate administrative level between the commune and the department. The commune participates in intercommunal structures that manage services such as waste collection, transportation, and economic development across multiple municipalities in the Haut-Rhin area. ### Regional Context: Grand Est and Alsace Kunheim is part of the Grand Est region of France, which was created in 2016 through the merger of the former Alsace, Champagne-Ardenne, and Lorraine regions. This administrative reorganization was designed to improve regional competitiveness and economic development in eastern France. The European Collectivity of Alsace (Collectivité européenne d'Alsace) maintains particular autonomy within the French system, reflecting the region's distinct identity. Haut-Rhin is one of two departments (along with Bas-Rhin) that comprise the historical Alsace region, with Mulhouse and Colmar as major urban centers. ### Local Governance and Community As a commune, Kunheim maintains its own local government, with a mayor and municipal council responsible for local affairs, urban planning, civil registration, and community services. The commune's website (https://kunheim.fr/) serves as a point of contact for residents and provides information about local services and governance. The commune's population figures, while modest, reflect the rural and semi-rural character of the commune and the broader Haut-Rhin area. The commune contributes to the demographic and social fabric of the Alsace region, which is known for its high quality of life, strong economy, and cultural heritage. ### Cultural and Linguistic Heritage The Alsace region, including Kunheim, is known for its distinctive culture, which blends French and Germanic traditions. The Alsatian language, a Germanic dialect, is still spoken in the region, and the area is famous for its half-timbered houses, vineyards, and culinary traditions including Choucroute and Flammekueche. This cultural heritage makes the region unique within France and contributes to its identity as an area of European cross-border exchange and cultural synthesis. ## 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. [Source](https://lingualibre.fr/wiki/Q51295) 6. [Source](https://lingualibre.org/wiki/Q780896) 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)