# Mittelschaeffolsheim

> commune in Bas-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q21308](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21308)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mittelschaeffolsheim)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mittelschaeffolsheim

## Summary

Mittelschaeffolsheim is a commune located in the Bas-Rhin department in the Alsace region of northeastern France. Situated at coordinates 48.700555555556°N latitude and 7.6519444444444°E longitude, this small rural municipality falls under the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg and is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace. The commune has a website available at https://mittelschaeffolsheim.fr/.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: Mittelschaeffolsheim (also spelled Mittelschäffolsheim)
- **Type**: Commune in Bas-Rhin, France
- **Region**: Alsace (European Collectivity of Alsace)
- **Department**: Bas-Rhin (French administrative district since March 4, 1790)
- **Historical Context**: Part of Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace), a district of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) in the German Empire from 1871 to 1918
- **Current Arrondissement**: Haguenau-Wissembourg (established January 1, 2015)
- **Former Arrondissement**: Strasbourg-Campagne (existed 1800-1879 and 1919-2015)
- **Coordinates**: 48.700555555556°N, 7.6519444444444°E
- **Population**: 560 (most recent figure, with historical data showing 538, 550, 572, 576, 573, 569, 566, 571, 565)
- **Classification**: Commune of France (French territorial subdivision for municipalities, established 1789)
- **Country**: France
- **Website**: https://mittelschaeffolsheim.fr/
- **Sitelink Count**: 44

## FAQs

**What region and administrative division is Mittelschaeffolsheim located in?**

Mittelschaeffolsheim is located in the Bas-Rhin department, which is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace in northeastern France. The commune falls within the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg, which was established on January 1, 2015, as part of French administrative reorganization.

**What is the historical background of Mittelschaeffolsheim's region?**

The Alsace region, where Mittelschaeffolsheim is situated, has a complex history. The commune falls within Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace), which was part of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) in the German Empire from May 20, 1871, until the end of World War I in 1918. Before this German period and after its return to France, the area was part of various French administrative divisions.

**What is the population of Mittelschaeffolsheim?**

Mittelschaeffolsheim has a population of approximately 560 residents according to the most recent data. Historical population figures show fluctuations between 538 and 576 residents across recent measurement periods, indicating a relatively stable small rural commune.

**What administrative changes affected the area around Mittelschaeffolsheim?**

The arrondissement of Strasbourg-Campagne, which previously covered this territory, was dissolved in 2015 and replaced by the new arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg. This change was part of a broader reorganization of French administrative divisions at the arrondissement level.

**What type of municipality is Mittelschaeffolsheim?**

Mittelschaeffolsheim is classified as a commune of France, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in the French administrative system. This classification dates back to 1789 during the French Revolution, when communes replaced the previous feudal divisions.

## Why It Matters

Mittelschaeffolsheim represents a small but historically significant rural commune in the Alsace region, an area that has been at the crossroads of French and German history for centuries. The commune's location in Bas-Rhin places it in one of France's most productive agricultural regions, known for its vineyards, breweries, and culinary traditions including Choucroute and Flammekueche.

The significance of Mittelschaeffolsheim extends beyond its size to its position within the European Collectivity of Alsace, which gained special administrative status in 2016 allowing for greater regional autonomy. The commune participates in this unique French territorial arrangement that recognizes the distinct cultural and linguistic heritage of the Alsace region, where Alsatian (a Germanic dialect) is still widely spoken alongside French.

From an administrative perspective, the commune demonstrates the French system's organization of local governance through communes, arrondissements, and departments. The 2015 reorganization that placed Mittelschaeffolsheim under the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg reflects ongoing efforts to optimize administrative efficiency while maintaining local representation.

The commune's website at https://mittelschaeffolsheim.fr/ indicates local governance and communication infrastructure, demonstrating modern digital engagement at the municipal level in rural France.

## Notable For

- **Historical Location**: Situated in Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace), part of German Empire territory from 1871-1918
- **Administrative Reorganization**: Part of the newly formed arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg since 2015
- **Regional Identity**: Located in the European Collectivity of Alsace, a unique territorial collectivity with special status
- **Rural Character**: Small commune population demonstrates the persistence of rural communities in contemporary France
- **Digital Presence**: Maintains an official municipal website, indicating active local governance

## Body

### Geography and Location

Mittelschaeffolsheim is situated in northeastern France at coordinates 48.700555555556°N latitude and 7.6519444444444°E longitude. The commune is located in the Bas-Rhin department, which forms part of the Alsace region along the Rhine River border with Germany. This positioning places the municipality in a region characterized by rolling hills, fertile plains, and the foothills of the Vosges mountains.

The commune's location in the Bas-Rhin (literally "Lower Rhine") places it in the northern portion of the Alsace basin, an area known for its exceptional agricultural productivity and viticulture. The proximity to Germany has historically influenced local architecture, cuisine, and dialect, with the Alsatian language (a Germanic dialect) still spoken by residents alongside French.

### Administrative History

Mittelschaeffolsheim's administrative context reflects the complex territorial history of Alsace. The commune is part of the Bas-Rhin administrative district, which was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution's reorganization of territorial administration. This makes Bas-Rhin one of the original French departments created following the revolution.

The territory of Alsace, including the area around Mittelschaeffolsheim, was annexed by the German Empire following the Franco-Prussian War in 1871. During this period from 1871 to 1918, the commune fell within Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace), one of the two districts (Bezirke) of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine). This German administration left lasting influences on local infrastructure and institutional organization.

Following World War I, the territory returned to French administration, and the commune was again integrated into French departmental structures. The arrondissement system evolved over the twentieth century, with Mittelschaeffolsheim previously falling under the arrondissement of Strasbourg-Campagne, which existed in two periods (1800-1879 and 1919-2015).

In 2015, as part of a nationwide administrative reorganization, the arrondissement of Strasbourg-Campagne was dissolved, and Mittelschaeffolsheim became part of the newly created arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg. This change took effect on January 1, 2015, consolidating certain administrative functions while maintaining local governance through the commune structure.

### Regional Context: European Collectivity of Alsace

Mittelschaeffolsheim is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace, a unique territorial entity created in 2016 that merged the former Alsace region with its two departments (Haut-Rhin and Bas-Rhin). This administrative innovation gave Alsace a special status within the French Republic, recognizing its distinct cultural, linguistic, and historical identity.

The Collectivity of Alsace exercises competencies in areas including economic development, transportation, environmental protection, and cultural affairs. It represents an experiment in decentralized governance that allows the Alsace region greater autonomy in managing local affairs while remaining part of the French national framework.

### Demographics and Community

As a small rural commune, Mittelschaeffolsheim exemplifies the demographic patterns of rural Alsace. The population figures show relative stability over recent years, with measurements ranging from 538 to 576 residents. This consistency suggests a community that has maintained its population through a combination of natural growth and modest in-migration, rather than experiencing the depopulation that has affected some rural French communes.

The commune participates in the French municipal system, where the commune (originally established in 1789) serves as the fundamental unit of local governance. Each commune has its own mayor and municipal council, responsible for local services including urban planning, civil registration, and local infrastructure maintenance.

### Local Infrastructure and Governance

Mittelschaeffolsheim maintains an official municipal website at https://mittelschaeffolsheim.fr/, demonstrating contemporary digital governance practices at the local level. This online presence facilitates communication between the municipal government and residents, providing information about local services, community events, and administrative procedures.

The commune's classification as a "commune of France" places it within the fundamental territorial structure of the French Republic. There are approximately 35,000 communes in France, making this system one of the most decentralized administrative structures in Europe. Communes of all sizes, from Paris with its 2 million residents to small rural municipalities like Mittelschaeffolsheim, operate under the same fundamental legal framework.

### Historical Significance

The history of Mittelschaeffolsheim is inextricably linked to the broader history of Alsace, a region that has changed national affiliation multiple times throughout its history. The commune's territory has been part of the Kingdom of France, the German Empire, and the French Republic, with the current French administration dating from 1919 following World War I.

The period of German administration (1871-1918) left lasting imprints on the region, including infrastructure improvements, educational institutions, and administrative practices. The return to France after World War I was followed by another period of German occupation during World War II (1940-1944), adding another layer to the region's complex historical experience.

Today, Mittelschaeffolsheim represents a peaceful rural community that preserves elements of its Alsatian heritage while participating fully in contemporary French society. The commune's small size and agricultural setting contrast with the urban centers of Strasbourg and Mulhouse that dominate the region, representing the rural dimension of Alsace that complements its famous cities and vineyards.

## 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)