# Mackwiller

> commune in Bas-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q21479](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21479)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mackwiller)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mackwiller

## Summary

Mackwiller is a commune located in the Bas-Rhin department in the Alsace region of northeastern France. Situated at coordinates 48.926111°N latitude and 7.175278°E longitude, the municipality belongs to the arrondissement of Saverne and represents one of the local administrative subdivisions within the French territorial system. The commune has a historical connection to the German Empire, having been part of the Unterelsaß district within Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) from 1871 to 1918.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: Mackwiller (also spelled Mackweiler)
- **Country**: France
- **Administrative Region**: Alsace (historical region)
- **Department**: Bas-Rhin (inception: March 4, 1790)
- **Arrondissement**: Saverne
- **Coordinates**: 48.926111°N latitude, 7.175278°E longitude
- **Historical Context**: Part of Unterelsaß district in the German Empire's Elsaß-Lothringen territory from 1871 to 1918
- **Administrative Classification**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision established 1789)
- **Website**: http://www.mairie-mackwiller.fr/
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Bas-Rhin, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 44

## FAQs

**What region and department is Mackwiller located in?**

Mackwiller is situated in the Bas-Rhin department of the Alsace region in northeastern France. The commune falls within the arrondissement of Saverne, which is one of the administrative divisions governing local municipalities in the department.

**What is the historical background of Mackwiller's location?**

Mackwiller has a complex historical background tied to the shifting borders between France and Germany. The commune was located in the Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace) district, which was part of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) within the German Empire from May 20, 1871, until the end of World War I in 1918. This region changed hands multiple times throughout history, reflecting the broader geopolitical tensions between France and Germany.

**What type of administrative division is Mackwiller?**

Mackwiller is classified as a commune, which is the lowest-level territorial administrative division in France. The commune system was established in 1789 during the French Revolution and serves as the fundamental unit of local governance in the French Republic, similar to municipalities in other countries.

**What are the nearby administrative structures?**

Mackwiller is part of the arrondissement of Saverne, which is an administrative district grouping multiple communes together for administrative purposes. The commune is also connected to the broader French administrative system through the Bas-Rhin department, which is one of the departments comprising the Alsace region.

## Why It Matters

Mackwiller, while a small commune, represents the rich tapestry of local governance and historical complexity in the Alsace region of France. The commune exemplifies the enduring nature of French municipal administration, which has functioned continuously since the revolutionary reforms of 1789. Its location in Bas-Rhin places it at the heart of a region that has been a focal point of European history, with shifting national boundaries and cultural influences from both France and Germany.

The commune's historical connection to the German Empire's Elsaß-Lothringen territory from 1871 to 1918 reflects the broader historical narrative of European border changes and the complex identity of the Alsace region. Today, Mackwiller contributes to the contemporary administrative structure of France as part of the Bas-Rhin department and the arrondissement of Saverne, representing the decentralized nature of French local governance.

As one of the thousands of communes that form the backbone of French administrative organization, Mackwiller plays a role in maintaining local services, community identity, and regional cohesion within the French Republic.

## Notable For

- Historical connection to the German Empire's Elsaß-Lothringen territory (1871-1918)
- Location in the traditional Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace) district
- Part of the Bas-Rhin department, one of the most historically significant French departments
- Membership in the arrondissement of Saverne, an important administrative division in northeastern France

## Body

### Geography and Location

Mackwiller is positioned at coordinates 48.926111°N latitude and 7.175278°E longitude, placing it in the northeastern portion of France within the Alsace region. The commune is located in the Bas-Rhin department, which borders Germany and represents the northern part of the traditional Alsace territory. The landscape of this region is characterized by the Vosges mountains to the west and the Rhine River valley to the east, creating a distinctive geographical environment that has influenced local history and culture.

### Administrative History

The commune system in France was established in 1789 during the French Revolution, replacing the previous feudal administrative divisions. Mackwiller, like all French communes, traces its modern administrative existence to this foundational date. The Bas-Rhin department itself was created on March 4, 1790, as part of the revolutionary reorganization of French territorial administration.

Following the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, the Alsace-Lorraine region, including the Bas-Rhin department and communes like Mackwiller, was annexed by the German Empire. The territory was organized into the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen, with Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace) serving as the central district. This German administration lasted until the end of World War I in 1918, when the territory was returned to France under the Treaty of Versailles. Mackwiller thus experienced a period of nearly fifty years under German administration as part of the Unterelsaß district.

### Contemporary Administrative Structure

Today, Mackwiller operates as a commune within the French Republic's decentralized administrative system. The commune is part of the arrondissement of Saverne, which groups together multiple municipalities for administrative coordination and local governance purposes. The Bas-Rhin department, which encompasses 517 communes, is administered from Strasbourg and represents one of the two departments comprising the Alsace region (alongside Haut-Rhin).

The commune maintains a municipal website at http://www.mairie-mackwiller.fr/, providing information about local services, administrative procedures, and community matters to its residents. This digital presence reflects the modern approach to local governance and public communication in French municipalities.

### Regional Context

The Alsace region where Mackwiller is located has a distinctive cultural identity characterized by a blend of French and Germanic influences. The region is known for its half-timbered houses, vineyards, and culinary traditions. The Bas-Rhin department specifically is home to the regional capital of Strasbourg, which also serves as the seat of European institutions including the European Parliament.

The arrondissement of Saverne, to which Mackwiller belongs, covers a predominantly rural area in the western portion of Bas-Rhin. The town of Saverne itself, the administrative center of the arrondissement, is situated to the northwest of Mackwiller and has historically served as an important local hub. The region's economy is diverse, encompassing agriculture, manufacturing, and services, with strong connections to both the French and German economies given the proximity to the border.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
5. [Source](https://lingualibre.org/wiki/Q781104)
6. répertoire géographique des communes
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Annuaire de service-public.fr
9. MusicBrainz
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. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
25. [Code officiel géographique. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
26. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)