# Obersteinbach

> commune in Bas-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q21486](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21486)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obersteinbach)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/obersteinbach

## Summary
Obersteinbach is a commune located in the Bas-Rhin department of France, within the European Collectivity of Alsace. It is part of the historical and administrative region that was once part of the German Empire's Alsace-Lorraine territory.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Commune of France — a territorial subdivision for municipalities.
- **Location**: Bas-Rhin department, in the Alsace region of France.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude: 49.036111111111, Longitude: 7.6875.
- **Population Data**: Estimated population figures include 238, 228, 226, 227, 231, 232, 233, 234 (multiple recorded estimates).
- **Historical Context**: 
  - Part of the former imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) during 1871–1918.
  - Lies within the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg, which was reformed in 2015.
- **Cultural and Historical Sites**: 
  - Near Château de Lutzelhardt (built ~1250), a rock castle.
  - Near Château du Petit-Arnsberg (established ~1316), also a rock castle.
- **Regional Affiliation**: 
  - Belongs to the Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace) district, historically part of the German Empire.
- **Sitelink Count**: 46 links across language versions on Wikimedia projects.

## FAQs

**What is Obersteinbach?**  
Obersteinbach is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in northeastern France. It is part of the Alsace region, which has a complex history involving periods under German control.

**Where is Obersteinbach located?**  
It is situated in the Bas-Rhin department, part of the European Collectivity of Alsace. The commune lies within the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg, which was restructured in 2015.

**What historical territories is Obersteinbach associated with?**  
Obersteinbach is historically linked to the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) during the German Empire (1871–1918) and specifically to the Unterelsaß district.

**Are there any notable landmarks near Obersteinbach?**  
Yes, notable nearby sites include the Château de Lutzelhardt, a rock castle dating to around 1250, and the Château du Petit-Arnsberg, established around 1316.

**What is the population of Obersteinbach?**  
The population has been recorded in multiple estimates ranging from 226 to 238 residents.

**What is the significance of Obersteinbach in French administrative structure?**  
As a commune, it represents the smallest administrative division in France, functioning under the broader governance of the Bas-Rhin department and the Alsace region.

## Why It Matters
Obersteinbach represents a microcosm of the complex Franco-German cultural and political history of Alsace. Its location within the Bas-Rhin department situates it in a historically contested region that has shifted between French and German control. This makes it a significant case study in European border dynamics and cultural identity. The commune also reflects the broader French municipal system, which emphasizes local governance within a highly structured national framework.

## Notable For
- Being part of the historically significant Alsace region, which has shifted between French and German sovereignty.
- Association with the Château de Lutzelhardt and Château du Petit-Arnsberg, medieval rock castles of regional importance.
- Inclusion in the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg, restructured in 2015.
- Representing the evolution of French administrative divisions post-1871 territorial changes.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Obersteinbach is a commune located in the Bas-Rhin department, part of the Alsace region in northeastern France. Its coordinates are approximately latitude 49.036111111111 and longitude 7.6875. This places it within the broader historical region of Alsace, which was once part of the German Empire’s Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) territory from 1871 to 1918. Specifically, it falls under the former Unterelsaß district, which was the central district of the imperial territory.

### Administrative Context
Obersteinbach is classified as a commune of France, the country's smallest administrative unit. It belongs to the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg, which was newly formed in 2015. Prior to this, it was part of the arrondissement of Wissembourg, which existed in various periods including 1800–1870, 1919–1940, and 1944–2015. This reflects the region's complex administrative evolution, shaped by historical border changes.

### Historical Significance
The region of Alsace, including Obersteinbach, has been a focal point of Franco-German territorial disputes. From 1871 to 1918, it was incorporated into the German Empire as part of Elsaß-Lothringen. The Unterelsaß district, to which Obersteinbach historically belonged, was at the center of this imperial administration. The return to French control after World War I marked a significant shift in the commune’s political and cultural identity.

### Cultural and Architectural Heritage
Obersteinbach lies in proximity to two historically significant rock castles:
- **Château de Lutzelhardt**, established around 1250, is a medieval fortress of strategic importance in the region.
- **Château du Petit-Arnsberg**, dating to 1316, is another notable historical site that underscores the area’s medieval heritage.

These landmarks contribute to the cultural landscape of the Alsace region and are indicative of its layered past under different sovereignties.

### Demographics and Population
Population estimates for Obersteinbach include figures such as 238, 228, 226, 227, 231, 232, 233, and 234. These numbers reflect a small but stable community typical of rural communes in the Bas-Rhin department. The commune’s population size underscores its role as a modest, historically rooted community within the larger Alsace region.

### Governance and Political Structure
As a commune, Obersteinbach operates under France’s municipal governance framework. It is part of the broader administrative hierarchy that includes the Bas-Rhin department and the European Collectivity of Alsace. The commune’s governance is representative of France’s decentralized administrative model, which allows for local autonomy within a structured national system.

### Related Entities and Regional Context
Obersteinbach is connected to several historically and administratively significant entities:
- **Bas-Rhin Department**: The administrative district in which Obersteinbach resides, established on March 4, 1790.
- **Alsace Region**: A culturally and historically distinct region in France, with a complex political past.
- **Arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg**: The current administrative district overseeing Obersteinbach, reorganized in 2015.
- **Château de Lutzelhardt and Château du Petit-Arnsberg**: Regional landmarks that reflect the area’s medieval heritage.

These connections highlight Obersteinbach’s position within a historically rich and administratively complex region of France.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
5. répertoire géographique des communes
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Annuaire de service-public.fr
8. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
9. Populations légales 2016
10. Populations légales 2017
11. Populations légales 2018
12. Populations légales 2019
13. Populations légales 2020
14. Populations légales 2021
15. Populations de référence 2022
16. Populations de référence 2023
17. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
18. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
19. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
20. GeoNames
21. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
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)