# Melsheim

> commune in Bas-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q22511](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q22511)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melsheim)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/melsheim

## Summary
Melsheim 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 Saverne, and serves as a small municipality with a population fluctuating around 575 residents. The entity is geographically defined by coordinates 48.7575° N, 7.5216666666667° E and maintains an official web presence at melsheim.payszorn.com.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune (municipal subdivision of France).
- **Location**: Bas-Rhin department, France.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 48.7575, Longitude 7.5216666666667.
- **Administrative Arrondissement**: Saverne (current); formerly part of the arrondissement of Strasbourg-Campagne (1800–1879 and 1919–2015).
- **Historical Region**: Alsace (formerly part of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen under the German Empire).
- **Population Data Points**: Recorded values include 575, 582, 591, 590, 584, 567, 559, and 554.
- **Official Website**: https://melsheim.payszorn.com.
- **Wikidata Sitelinks**: 43 distinct links across various language editions.
- **Wikipedia Title**: "Melsheim".
- **Historical Context**: The area was part of the district of Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace) within the German Empire from May 20, 1871, to 1918.
- **Department Inception**: Bas-Rhin was established on March 4, 1790.
- **Commune Inception**: The commune system in France dates back to 1789.

## FAQs
**Where exactly is Melsheim located within the French administrative hierarchy?**
Melsheim is a commune situated in the Bas-Rhin department, which is part of the Grand Est region in northeastern France. Administratively, it falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Saverne, though it was previously attached to the arrondissement of Strasbourg-Campagne during two distinct historical periods.

**What is the historical significance of the region regarding Melsheim?**
The territory containing Melsheim was historically known as Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace) and served as a central district of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen during the German Empire from 1871 to 1918. Prior to the formation of the modern French department of Bas-Rhin in 1790, the area underwent various regime changes, including its integration into the French state following the Treaty of Verdun in 843 and the subsequent evolution of the French Republic.

**How has the population of Melsheim changed over recent records?**
Available data indicates a fluctuating population trend for the commune, with recorded figures ranging from a low of 554 to a high of 591. Specific census or estimation points include values of 575, 582, 590, 584, 567, and 559, reflecting minor demographic shifts over time.

**What digital resources are available for Melsheim?**
The commune maintains an official website at https://melsheim.payszorn.com, which serves as a primary information hub for residents and visitors. Additionally, the entity is well-represented in digital knowledge bases, holding 43 sitelinks on Wikidata and a dedicated Wikipedia entry titled "Melsheim."

## Why It Matters
Melsheim represents a microcosm of the complex historical and administrative evolution of the Alsace region. As a commune within Bas-Rhin, it embodies the transition from the imperial district of Unterelsaß under German rule to its current status as an integral part of the French Republic. Its existence highlights the intricate layering of French administrative history, from the inception of the commune system in 1789 to the specific departmental organization established in 1790. While small in scale, Melsheim's connection to the former arrondissement of Strasbourg-Campagne and its current placement in Saverne illustrates the shifting political boundaries that have defined the region for centuries. The entity serves as a specific data point for understanding local governance, demographic trends in rural France, and the preservation of regional identity within the broader context of the European Union and the French state.

## Notable For
- **Historical District Association**: Located within the former boundaries of the Unterelsaß district of the German Empire (1871–1918).
- **Administrative Shifts**: Served as part of the arrondissement of Strasbourg-Campagne during two separate eras (1800–1879 and 1919–2015) before moving to Saverne.
- **Demographic Stability**: Maintains a small, stable population hovering between 550 and 600 residents based on recorded data points.
- **Digital Presence**: Features a dedicated official portal at melsheim.payszorn.com and significant representation in Wikidata with 43 sitelinks.
- **Geographic Precision**: Defined by exact coordinates of 48.7575° N and 7.5216666666667° E within the Bas-Rhin department.
- **Regional Identity**: A constituent part of the European Collectivity of Alsace, linking it to the broader cultural and political identity of the region.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Melsheim is geographically positioned in the Bas-Rhin department of France, with precise coordinates at latitude 48.7575 and longitude 7.5216666666667. This location places it within the historical and cultural region of Alsace, specifically in the area formerly known as Unterelsaß. The commune is currently administratively attached to the arrondissement of Saverne. Historically, its administrative affiliation shifted, having been part of the arrondissement of Strasbourg-Campagne from 1800 to 1879 and again from 1919 to 2015. The territory is part of the larger Bas-Rhin department, which was established on March 4, 1790, and serves as the headquarters for the European Collectivity of Alsace.

### Administrative History and Structure
The entity of Melsheim functions as a commune, the lowest level of administrative division in France, a system that originated in 1789. Its current status is defined by its inclusion in the Bas-Rhin department, which itself is a subdivision of the French Republic. The region has a complex history involving the German Empire, where the area was known as the district of Unterelsaß within the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen from May 20, 1871, until 1918. Following the return to French control, the commune navigated various administrative reorganizations, including the dissolution of the Strasbourg-Campagne arrondissement in 2015, leading to its current placement in Saverne. The commune is one of 83 territorial subdivisions of this type in France, as noted by its classification in the "commune of France" entity.

### Demographics and Population Trends
Demographic data for Melsheim indicates a small community with population figures recorded at various intervals. The specific data points available include 575, 582, 591, 590, 584, 567, 559, and 554 residents. These figures suggest a relatively stable population size, with minor fluctuations over time. The highest recorded figure in the provided dataset is 591, while the lowest is 554. These statistics are essential for local planning and resource allocation within the Bas-Rhin department.

### Digital Presence and Information Resources
Melsheim maintains a digital footprint through its official website, accessible at https://melsheim.payszorn.com. This platform likely serves as the primary source of information for municipal news, services, and local events. In the realm of structured data, the commune is well-documented, with a Wikidata description identifying it as a "commune in Bas-Rhin, France." It holds 43 sitelinks across various language editions of Wikipedia and other projects, indicating a level of international interest or documentation. The primary Wikipedia title for the entity is "Melsheim," and it is associated with the Wikidata item  (referenced in the context of Unterelsaß and Bas-Rhin).

### Historical Context and Regional Connections
The history of Melsheim is inextricably linked to the broader history of Alsace and the shifting borders between France and Germany. The area was part of the German Empire's imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen, specifically the central district of Unterelsaß, from 1871 to 1918. This period ended with the reintegration of the region into France, where the department of Bas-Rhin was re-established. The commune's administrative journey reflects the region's resilience, having survived the dissolution of the arrondissement of Strasbourg-Campagne and the reorganization of local governance. The entity is also connected to the broader French state, which traces its origins to the Treaty of Verdun in 843 and the establishment of West Francia, eventually evolving into the modern French Republic.

## References

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