# Mittelwihr

> commune in Haut-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q149387](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q149387)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mittelwihr)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mittelwihr

## Summary

Mittelwihr is a commune in the Haut-Rhin department of the Alsace region in northeastern France, situated in the arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé. Located at coordinates 48.150833°N latitude and 7.319444°E longitude, this small French municipality operates under the local government structure of the French Republic and is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Northeastern France, Alsace region, Haut-Rhin department
- **Coordinates**: 48.150833°N, 7.319444°E
- **Administrative Status**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision established since 1789)
- **Arrondissement**: Colmar-Ribeauvillé (since January 1, 2015)
- **Former Arrondissement**: Ribeauvillé (prior to 2015)
- **Canton**: Kaysersberg (until March 2015)
- **Historical Region**: Upper Alsace (southern district of Alsace-Lorraine in the German Empire from 1871 to 1918)
- **Department Creation**: Haut-Rhin established March 4, 1790
- **Country**: France
- **Population**: Approximately 841-853 residents (multiple recorded values: 841, 836, 849, 832, 840, 834, 842, 846, 849, 853)
- **Website**: http://www.mittelwihr.eu/
- **Wikipedia Title**: Mittelwihr
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Haut-Rhin, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 40

## FAQs

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

Mittelwihr is located in the Alsace region of northeastern France, specifically in the Haut-Rhin department. The commune falls within the European Collectivity of Alsace, which has its own distinctive administrative framework.

**What administrative changes has Mittelwihr experienced?**

Mittelwihr was part of the canton of Kaysersberg until March 2015. Following French administrative reorganization, it became part of the new arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé on January 1, 2015. Prior to this date, it belonged to the former arrondissement of Ribeauvillé.

**What is the historical context of Mittelwihr's region?**

The Alsace region, including Mittelwihr's area of Upper Alsace, was part of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918 as Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine). This historical period shaped the cultural and linguistic character of the region, which maintains distinct Alsatian heritage today.

**What are the geographic coordinates of Mittelwihr?**

Mittelwihr is situated at latitude 48.150833 degrees north and longitude 7.319444 degrees east, placing it in the southern part of the Haut-Rhin department near the Vosges mountains.

**What type of local government does Mittelwihr have?**

As a French commune, Mittelwihr operates as a territorial subdivision within the unitary French Republic. It is governed under the municipal structure established during the French Revolution in 1789, with local administration handled by a mayor and municipal council.

## Why It Matters

Mittelwihr represents the characteristic small commune structure that forms the foundational unit of French local government. While modest in population, such communes are essential to France's administrative organization, providing direct municipal services to residents and participating in the decentralized governance system of the French Republic.

The commune's location in Alsace places it at the crossroads of French and Germanic cultural influences, a region with a complex history that has shaped both local identity and broader European relations. The administrative changes from the former arrondissement of Ribeauvillé to the new arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé in 2015 reflect France's ongoing efforts to optimize local government efficiency while maintaining meaningful local representation.

For those studying French administrative geography, Mittelwihr serves as an example of how communes function within the hierarchical structure of departments, arrondissements, and regions, each level carrying specific administrative responsibilities and historical significance.

## Notable For

- **Administrative Reorganization**: Part of the 2015 French arrondissement consolidation, transitioning from Ribeauvillé to Colmar-Ribeauvillé
- **Historical Territory**: Located in Upper Alsace, formerly part of Alsace-Lorraine in the German Empire (1871-1918)
- **Alsatian Heritage**: Situated in the European Collectivity of Alsace, a region with distinct cultural and linguistic identity
- **Communal Structure**: Representative of the fundamental municipal unit of French territorial organization established in 1789

## Body

### Geographic Location and Setting

Mittelwihr is positioned in the northeastern French region of Alsace, specifically within the Haut-Rhin department. The commune's geographic coordinates place it at 48.150833 degrees north latitude and 7.319444 degrees east longitude. This location situates the commune in the southern portion of the department, within the picturesque landscape of the Alsace wine route region, characterized by vineyards, rolling hills, and the nearby Vosges mountain range.

The commune benefits from its position within the European Collectivity of Alsace, a distinctive administrative entity that grants the region enhanced autonomy in certain policy areas while remaining an integral part of the French Republic. The area is known for its half-timbered houses, vineyards, and blend of French and Germanic cultural elements.

### Administrative History and Structure

Mittelwihr's administrative trajectory reflects the broader evolution of French local government. As a commune of France, it traces its institutional origins to the municipal reorganization following the French Revolution of 1789, when communes were established as the fundamental territorial subdivisions of the French state.

The commune was historically part of the canton of Kaysersberg until March 2015, when French administrative reforms led to significant changes in the territorial organization of the Haut-Rhin department. Following these reforms, Mittelwihr became part of the newly created arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé on January 1, 2015. Prior to this date, the commune belonged to the former arrondissement of Ribeauvillé, which was consolidated as part of the departmental reorganization aimed at streamlining administrative functions.

### Historical Regional Context

The region of Upper Alsace, where Mittelwihr is located, carries a particularly complex historical legacy. From 1871 to 1918, following the Franco-Prussian War, the entire Alsace-Lorraine region (Elsaß-Lothringen) was incorporated into the German Empire. This period left lasting cultural, linguistic, and administrative influences on the region.

The department of Haut-Rhin itself was established on March 4, 1790, during the early years of the French Revolution, as part of the initial division of France into departments. This administrative creation replaced the traditional provincial boundaries with a more rationalized territorial structure designed to promote central government control and administrative efficiency.

### Demographics and Municipal Life

While specific population figures for individual years are not provided in the source material, the recorded population values (ranging from 832 to 853 residents) indicate a relatively stable small commune population. Such population sizes are typical of rural communes throughout France, where municipal services cater to the needs of a few hundred to a few thousand residents.

The commune maintains a municipal website at http://www.mittelwihr.eu/, providing information to residents and visitors about local services, events, and administrative matters. This digital presence reflects the modern approach to municipal communication and public service delivery.

### Relationship to Higher Administrative Units

Mittelwihr's position within the French administrative hierarchy illustrates the nested structure of local governance in France:

- **Communal Level**: Mittelwihr as a commune (the most local level of territorial administration)
- **Arrondissement Level**: Part of arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé (since 2015), previously Ribeauvillé
- **Canton Level**: Formerly part of canton of Kaysersberg (until 2015)
- **Departmental Level**: Haut-Rhin department, part of the European Collectivity of Alsace
- **Regional Level**: Alsace region
- **National Level**: French Republic

This hierarchical structure ensures that local matters are addressed at the appropriate administrative level while maintaining coordination across departments, arrondissements, and regions.

### Cultural and Regional Identity

The commune's location in Alsace grants it a distinctive cultural identity that blends French and Germanic traditions. The region is known for its unique Alsatian dialect, architectural heritage, cuisine, and wine culture. The European Collectivity of Alsace, established in 2021, represents the region's contemporary administrative autonomy and its commitment to preserving and promoting Alsatian cultural heritage.

Mittelwihr participates in this rich cultural tapestry, contributing to the broader Alsatian identity while maintaining its status as a distinct municipal entity within the French Republic. The commune's historical connection to both French and German spheres has shaped its development and continues to influence its character today.

## References

1. CD Atlas of France
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
5. INSEE code
6. [Source](https://lingualibre.org/wiki/Q780911)
7. répertoire géographique des communes
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Annuaire de service-public.fr
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. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
25. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File