# Mittelbergheim > commune in Bas-Rhin, France **Wikidata**: [Q22436](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q22436) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mittelbergheim) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mittelbergheim ## Summary Mittelbergheim is a commune located in the Bas-Rhin department of the Alsace region in northeastern France. Situated at coordinates 48.395833333333°N latitude and 7.4419444444444°E longitude, this small municipality is recognized as one of "The Most Beautiful Villages of France" and falls within the arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein. The village is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace and maintains a population that has fluctuated between approximately 593 and 676 residents in recent decades. ## Key Facts - **Location**: Situated in Bas-Rhin department, Alsace region, northeastern France - **Coordinates**: 48.395833333333°N, 7.4419444444444°E - **Administrative Division**: Part of the arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein - **Status**: Member of "The Most Beautiful Villages of France" association (since March 6, 1982) - **Country**: France - **Commune Type**: French territorial subdivision for municipalities (established 1789) - **Historical Context**: Part of Unterelsaß (Central Alsace) within the German Empire's Alsace-Lorraine from 1871 to 1918 - **Population**: Recorded values of 658, 655, 676, 650, 635, 620, 605, 598, 599, and 593 across measurement periods - **Website**: http://www.mittelbergheim.fr; https://www.paysdebarr.fr/fr/les-communes/mittelbergheim - **Sitelink Count**: 50 - **Administrative Region**: Alsace (European Collectivity of Alsace) - **Bas-Rhin District Established**: March 4, 1790 ## FAQs **What type of administrative area is Mittelbergheim?** Mittelbergheim is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. It is located within the Bas-Rhin department and the arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein in the Alsace region of northeastern France. **What is Mittelbergheim known for?** Mittelbergheim is recognized as one of "The Most Beautiful Villages of France" (Les Plus Beaux Villages de France), an independent association founded in 1982 that designates villages of exceptional heritage quality. This designation highlights the commune's preserved architectural and cultural character. **What is the historical context of Mittelbergheim's region?** The Alsace region, where Mittelbergheim is located, has a complex political history. From 1871 to 1918, the area of Unterelsaß (Central Alsace) was part of the German Empire's Alsace-Lorraine territory following the Franco-Prussian War. The region returned to French control after World War I. **What are the administrative divisions that contain Mittelbergheim?** Mittelbergheim is nested within several administrative levels: France (the country), the European Collectivity of Alsace (regional level), the Bas-Rhin department (established March 4, 1790), and the arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein (sub-departmental level). **How can one learn more about Mittelbergheim?** The commune maintains an official website at http://www.mittelbergheim.fr, and additional information is available through the Pays de Barr regional portal at https://www.paysdebarr.fr/fr/les-communes/mittelbergheim. ## Why It Matters Mittelbergheim matters as a preserved example of Alsatian rural heritage and communal living in northeastern France. Its inclusion in "The Most Beautiful Villages of France" association demonstrates its significance as a location of architectural and cultural importance, distinguishing it from more developed urban areas. The commune represents the smaller municipal units that form the foundation of French territorial organization, with its population of approximately 600 residents exemplifying the rural character of the Bas-Rhin department. The village's location in Alsace places it at a crossroads of French and German cultural influences, reflecting the region's complex historical legacy. As part of the arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein, Mittelbergheim contributes to the administrative functionality of the Bas-Rhin department, which has been an administrative district since the French Revolution in 1790. The commune's presence in the European Collectivity of Alsace also reflects the contemporary decentralized governance structure of the region. ## Notable For - Membership in "The Most Beautiful Villages of France" association since 1982 - Location in the historical Unterelsaß territory of Alsace-Lorraine - Proximity to the German border, reflecting Alsace's binational heritage - Part of Bas-Rhin, one of the founding departments of modern France (established 1790) - Coordinates placing it in the heart of the Alsace wine route region ## Body ### Geography and Location Mittelbergheim is situated in the northeastern French region of Alsace, specifically within the Bas-Rhin department. The commune's precise geographic coordinates are 48.395833333333 degrees north latitude and 7.4419444444444 degrees east longitude. This positioning places the village in the central portion of the Alsace basin, a region known for its viticulture and distinctive half-timbered architecture. The commune falls within the arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein, which administers several municipalities in this portion of Bas-Rhin. ### Administrative History The Bas-Rhin department was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution, making it one of the original 83 departments created to replace the old provincial system. The territory of Alsace was historically divided into two main components: Bas-Rhin (Lower Rhine) and Haut-Rhin (Upper Rhine). Following the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, the entire Alsace-Lorraine region was annexed by the German Empire and remained under German control until the end of World War I in 1918. During this period, the area was known as Elsaß-Lothringen, with Unterelsaß (Central Alsace) serving as one of its administrative districts. ### Membership and Recognition Mittelbergheim is a member of "The Most Beautiful Villages of France" (Les Plus Beaux Villages de France), an independent association founded on March 6, 1982. This organization maintains strict criteria for membership, including population limits, preserved architectural heritage, and site inspections. The association aims to promote and protect rural villages of exceptional quality, and membership is considered a mark of significant heritage value. The commune's inclusion in this organization distinguishes it from other municipalities in the region and contributes to local tourism and preservation efforts. ### Demographics and Population The population of Mittelbergheim has shown variation across recent measurement periods, with recorded values of 658, 655, 676, 650, 635, 620, 605, 598, 599, and 593 residents. These figures reflect the demographic fluctuations common in small rural communes, influenced by factors including birth rates, migration patterns, and economic conditions. The commune's modest population size is typical of the villages that comprise the rural fabric of the Bas-Rhin department. ### Regional Context Mittelbergheim is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace, a contemporary administrative structure that replaced the former Alsace region. The commune is located in proximity to the famous Alsace wine route, a tourist circuit that traverses numerous villages known for their vineyards, medieval architecture, and culinary traditions. The Bas-Rhin department serves as the northernmost of the two departments in the historical Alsace region, sharing its eastern border with Germany. ### Information Resources The commune maintains an online presence through its official website at http://www.mittelbergheim.fr. Additional information about the municipality is available through the Pays de Barr regional portal at https://www.paysdebarr.fr/fr/les-communes/mittelbergheim. The commune has a sitelink count of 50, indicating its presence across various Wikimedia projects and related information platforms. The Wikipedia article titled "Mittelbergheim" provides additional context about the municipality, with the Wikidata entry ( for France, specific commune data) contributing to its structured knowledge representation. ## 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. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0 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. [Source](https://it-ch.topographic-map.com/map-49n1gp/Mittelbergheim/?zoom=19¢er=48.39566%2C7.44301&popup=48.39578%2C7.44298) 22. [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) 23. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)