# Orbey

> commune in Haut-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q148855](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q148855)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbey)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/orbey

## Summary
Orbey is a commune located in the Haut-Rhin department of France, within the Alsace region. It is part of the historical and administrative fabric of the country, representing a local territorial subdivision with its own municipal governance and community identity.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Orbey is situated in the Haut-Rhin department in the Alsace region of northeastern France.
- **Country**: France, officially known as République française.
- **Classification**: Orbey is a commune, a local administrative unit in France.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 48.126388888889, Longitude 7.1608333333333.
- **Population**: Recent data shows a population of approximately 3,429 to 3,647 residents over the last decade.
- **Website**: The official website for Orbey is [http://www.orbey.fr/](http://www.orbey.fr/).
- **Historical Context**: The commune is part of the broader historical region of Upper Alsace, which was under German administration from 1871 to 1918.
- **Administrative Structure**: 
  - Part of the **arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé**, established in 2015.
  - Previously part of the **arrondissement of Ribeauvillé**, a former administrative division.
  - Belongs to the **canton of Lapoutroie**, which existed until March 2015.
- **Regional Context**: 
  - Located in **Haut-Rhin**, a French administrative district of the European Collectivity of Alsace.
  - Historically linked to **Upper Alsace**, a district of the imperial territory of Alsace-Lorraine during the German Empire.
- **National Recognition**: 
  - Orbey has been awarded the **Croix de guerre 1914–1918**, a French military decoration established in 1915.
- **Legal Status**: As a **commune of France**, it is part of the country's municipal structure established in 1789.
- **Sitelink Count**: 42 (as of the latest data).

## FAQs
**What is Orbey?**  
Orbey is a commune in the Haut-Rhin department in northeastern France. It functions as a local administrative unit with its own governance and community services.

**Where is Orbey located?**  
Orbey is located in the Alsace region, specifically within the Haut-Rhin department. It is part of the historical area known as Upper Alsace, which was once part of the imperial territory of Alsace-Lorraine under the German Empire.

**What is the population of Orbey?**  
The population of Orbey has ranged between approximately 3,429 and 3,647 over the past decade, with recent figures closer to the lower end of that range.

**What administrative divisions does Orbey belong to?**  
Orbey is part of the **arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé**, established in 2015. It was previously in the **arrondissement of Ribeauvillé** and belongs to the **canton of Lapoutroie**, which was dissolved in 2015.

**What historical recognitions has Orbey received?**  
Orbey was awarded the **Croix de guerre 1914–1918**, a French military decoration created in 1915 to recognize acts of bravery during World War I.

**What is the official website for Orbey?**  
The commune's official website is [http://www.orbey.fr/](http://www.orbey.fr/), where residents and visitors can find local information and services.

## Why It Matters
Orbey plays a role in the decentralized administrative structure of France, representing a local community with its own governance, history, and cultural identity. As part of the Haut-Rhin department and Alsace region, it contributes to the rich tapestry of French communal life, particularly in areas with complex historical transitions, such as Alsace, which shifted between French and German control. Its recognition with the Croix de guerre underscores its participation in national historical events, particularly during World War I. The commune also reflects the evolution of French administrative boundaries, adapting to regional reforms while maintaining its local identity.

## Notable For
- **Historical Military Recognition**: Recipient of the **Croix de guerre 1914–1918**, acknowledging its contributions during World War I.
- **Administrative Evolution**: Part of multiple reorganized administrative units, including the **arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé** and former **arrondissement of Ribeauvillé**.
- **Historical Region**: Located in the culturally and historically significant region of Upper Alsace, which was part of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918.
- **Local Governance**: Functions as a **commune of France**, a classification established in 1789, reflecting its role in the country’s decentralized municipal system.
- **Geographic Specificity**: Precise geographic coordinates place it within the Haut-Rhin department, a historically and administratively rich area of France.

## Body

### History
Orbey is a commune in the Haut-Rhin department, part of the Alsace region in northeastern France. This area has a complex history due to its shifting political control. From 1871 to 1918, it was part of the imperial territory of Alsace-Lorraine under the German Empire, specifically within the southern district known as **Upper Alsace**. After World War I, Alsace was returned to France, and Orbey became part of the French administrative structure once again.

### Administrative Structure
Orbey is currently part of the **arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé**, which was established on January 1, 2015. Prior to this, it belonged to the **arrondissement of Ribeauvillé**, a former administrative division. It also falls under the **canton of Lapoutroie**, which existed until March 2015. These changes reflect France’s ongoing efforts to reorganize its local administrative divisions for greater efficiency and regional coherence.

### Demographics and Population
The population of Orbey has fluctuated slightly over the past decade, with recent figures ranging from 3,429 to 3,647. This demographic stability indicates a small but established community with local infrastructure and services tailored to its residents.

### Recognition and Awards
Orbey has been recognized with the **Croix de guerre 1914–1918**, a French military decoration created on April 2, 1915, to honor those who fought valiantly during World War I. This award highlights the commune’s historical participation in national conflicts.

### Geography and Location
Orbey is located in the Haut-Rhin department, which is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace. Its precise geographic coordinates are latitude 48.126388888889 and longitude 7.1608333333333. This places it within a historically rich and geopolitically significant region of France.

### Related Entities
- **France**: The overarching nation-state to which Orbey belongs, with a complex history of governance and territorial evolution.
- **Haut-Rhin**: The department in which Orbey is located, part of the Alsace region.
- **Upper Alsace**: A historical district under German control from 1871 to 1918, now part of modern-day Alsace.
- **Arrondissements**: Orbey has been part of both the **arrondissement of Ribeauvillé** (historical) and the **arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé** (current).
- **Canton of Lapoutroie**: A former canton to which Orbey belonged until 2015.

### Official Presence
Orbey maintains an official website at [http://www.orbey.fr/](http://www.orbey.fr/), which serves as a digital hub for local information, governance updates, and community engagement.

### Cultural and National Identity
As a **commune of France**, Orbey is part of a municipal structure that was formally established in 1789. This designation underscores its role in the decentralized governance model of France, where communes manage local affairs and represent the grassroots level of civic life. The award of the **Croix de guerre 1914–1918** further ties Orbey to the national narrative of French history and resilience.

### Conclusion
Orbey, while small in scale, is significant in its representation of French communal identity, historical continuity, and administrative adaptability. Its location in Alsace, a region with a complex past, adds to its historical depth, while its current administrative structure reflects modern France’s evolving governance strategies.

## 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/Q780934)
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. Quora
25. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
26. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File