# Lorentzen

> commune in Bas-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q22749](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q22749)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorentzen,_Bas-Rhin)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lorentzen

## Summary
Lorentzen is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department of France, located within the European Collectivity of Alsace. It is part of the arrondissement of Saverne and represents a local administrative subdivision with historical ties to both French and German governance structures.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Commune in Bas-Rhin, France.
- **Location**: Part of the arrondissement of Saverne, within the European Collectivity of Alsace.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 48.9525, Longitude 7.1747222222222.
- **Historical Context**: Situated in the former imperial district of Unterelsaß (central Alsace-Lorraine) during the German Empire (1871–1918).
- **Population Data**: Recorded population figures include 211, 229, 230, 235, 240, 241, and 246 across various records.
- **Country**: France.
- **Sitelink Count**: 42 (as of latest data).
- **Wikipedia Title**: Lorentzen, Bas-Rhin.
- **Wikidata Description**: Commune in Bas-Rhin, France.

## FAQs
**What is Lorentzen?**  
Lorentzen is a commune located in the Bas-Rhin department in the Alsace region of France. It is part of the administrative structure of the European Collectivity of Alsace and falls under the arrondissement of Saverne.

**Where is Lorentzen located?**  
Lorentzen is situated in northeastern France, specifically in the Bas-Rhin department. It lies within the historical region of Alsace, which was once part of the German Empire's Alsace-Lorraine territory (1871–1918).

**What is the historical significance of Lorentzen's location?**  
Lorentzen is located in the former district of Unterelsaß, which was part of the imperial territory of Alsace-Lorraine during the German Empire. This reflects the region's complex history of shifting sovereignty between France and Germany.

**What administrative structures is Lorentzen part of?**  
Lorentzen is a commune within the arrondissement of Saverne, which is part of the Bas-Rhin department. The Bas-Rhin department itself is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace, a territorial collectivity established in 2021.

**What is the population of Lorentzen?**  
Lorentzen's population has varied over time, with recorded figures including 211, 229, 230, 235, 240, 241, and 246. These figures reflect demographic changes over recent decades.

## Why It Matters
Lorentzen matters as a representative example of the complex administrative and historical evolution of the Alsace region. As part of both the French administrative system and the legacy of German imperial rule, it embodies the cultural and political transitions that have shaped northeastern France. Its status as a commune within the modern European Collectivity of Alsace highlights ongoing efforts to streamline regional governance while preserving local identity.

## Notable For
- **Historical Legacy**: Located in the former Unterelsaß district, reflecting centuries of Franco-German territorial shifts.
- **Administrative Integration**: Part of the European Collectivity of Alsace, a modern restructuring of regional governance.
- **Demographic Records**: Maintains detailed population data, useful for demographic and sociological studies.
- **Regional Identity**: Represents the cultural and linguistic heritage of Alsace, a historically contested region.

## Body

### History
Lorentzen's history is deeply intertwined with the broader narrative of Alsace, a region that has been a focal point of Franco-German territorial disputes. From 1871 to 1918, Alsace was part of the German Empire under the administrative district of Elsaß-Lothringen, with Lorentzen falling within the central district of Unterelsaß. This period left a lasting imprint on the region's architecture, language, and culture. After World War I, Alsace was reintegrated into France, and Lorentzen became part of the French administrative system as a commune.

### Administrative Structure
Lorentzen is a commune within the arrondissement of Saverne, which is part of the Bas-Rhin department. The Bas-Rhin department, established on March 4, 1790, is one of the oldest administrative districts in France. Since 2021, it has been part of the European Collectivity of Alsace, a newly formed territorial collectivity aimed at enhancing regional governance and cooperation. This structure places Lorentzen within a multi-tiered administrative framework that includes local, departmental, and regional levels.

### Geography and Location
Lorentzen is geographically located in northeastern France, within the Bas-Rhin department. Its coordinates are approximately latitude 48.9525 and longitude 7.1747222222222. This positioning places it in the heart of the Alsace region, known for its distinctive blend of French and German cultural influences. The commune lies within the historical boundaries of Unterelsaß, a district of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918.

### Demographics
Population data for Lorentzen includes the following recorded figures: 211, 229, 230, 235, 240, 241, and 246. These numbers reflect demographic fluctuations over time, influenced by regional migration, economic changes, and administrative adjustments. The commune's small size underscores its role as a rural or semi-rural community within the broader Alsace region.

### Cultural and Historical Context
Lorentzen's location within the former Unterelsaß district connects it to the broader narrative of Alsace-Lorraine, a region that was a point of contention between France and Germany. This history has left a mark on local identity, with influences from both French and German traditions evident in architecture, language, and customs. The commune's integration into modern French administrative systems reflects the stabilization of the region's political status post-World War I.

### Related Entities
- **Unterelsaß**: The historical district (Bezirk) of Elsaß-Lothringen during the German Empire (1871–1918).
- **Bas-Rhin**: The French department in which Lorentzen is located, established on March 4, 1790.
- **Arrondissement of Saverne**: The administrative subdivision of Bas-Rhin to which Lorentzen belongs.
- **European Collectivity of Alsace**: The overarching regional entity formed in 2021, integrating Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin departments.

### Governance and Modern Administration
As a commune, Lorentzen is part of France's municipal administrative structure, which was formalized in 1789. It operates under the broader governance of the European Collectivity of Alsace, which aims to streamline regional administration and foster local development. The commune's governance reflects both historical continuity and modern administrative reforms.

### Conclusion
Lorentzen is emblematic of the historical and administrative evolution of Alsace. Its position within the arrondissement of Saverne, the Bas-Rhin department, and the European Collectivity of Alsace situates it within a complex but cohesive framework of local and regional governance. Its demographic and geographic characteristics, combined with its historical legacy, make it a significant, albeit small, part of France's northeastern cultural and political landscape.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
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. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
23. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)