# Retschwiller

> commune in Bas-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q21402](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21402)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retschwiller)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/retschwiller

## Summary
Retschwiller is a commune located in the Bas-Rhin department within the Grand Est region of northeastern France. Situated at coordinates 48.95°N and 7.8791666666667°E, it is a small municipality with a population fluctuating between 274 and 287 residents in recent records. The entity is also known by the alias "Retschweiler" and maintains an official presence at https://www.retschwiller.fr.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France (territorial subdivision for municipalities).
- **Location**: Bas-Rhin department, France.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 48.95, Longitude 7.8791666666667.
- **Population Data**: Recorded values include 275, 279, 287, 285, 282, 276, and 274 across various census periods.
- **Aliases**: Retschweiler.
- **Official Website**: https://www.retschwiller.fr.
- **Administrative Hierarchy**: Part of the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg (established 2015-01-01).
- **Historical Administrative Context**: Located in the area formerly known as Unterelsaß (1871–1918) and historically associated with the arrondissement of Wissembourg (1800–1870, 1919–1940, 1944–2015).
- **Country Context**: France (inception dates include 0843-08-00 for West Francia, 0481 for Francia, and 1804-05-18 for the First French Empire).
- **Sitelink Count**: 44.
- **Wikipedia Title**: Retschwiller.
- **Wikidata Description**: Commune in Bas-Rhin, France.

## FAQs
**What is the administrative status and location of Retschwiller?**
Retschwiller is a commune, which serves as the primary territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. It is situated in the Bas-Rhin department, which is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace, and falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg.

**How has the population of Retschwiller changed over time?**
The population of the commune has remained relatively stable with minor fluctuations, recording specific counts such as 275, 279, 287, 285, 282, 276, and 274 in different census years. These figures indicate a small, consistent community size without drastic demographic shifts in the recorded data.

**What historical administrative regions does Retschwiller belong to?**
Historically, the area was part of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) under the name Unterelsaß from 1871 to 1918. It was also part of the former arrondissement of Wissembourg, which existed in three distinct periods: 1800–1870, 1919–1940, and 1944–2015, before being merged into the current arrondissement.

**Where can one find official information about Retschwiller?**
Official information and communications regarding the commune are accessible through its dedicated website at https://www.retschwiller.fr. Additionally, the entity is documented on Wikipedia under the title "Retschwiller" and has 44 associated sitelinks across various language editions.

## Why It Matters
Retschwiller serves as a specific case study of the administrative and historical evolution of the Alsace region, reflecting the complex territorial shifts between French and German control. As a commune within the Bas-Rhin department, it contributes to the decentralized administrative structure of France, maintaining local governance within a larger national framework. Its existence highlights the continuity of municipal life despite the region's turbulent history, including its time as part of the German Empire's imperial territory of Alsace-Lorraine. The entity's data points, such as its precise coordinates and population stability, provide essential granularity for geographic information systems and demographic studies in the Grand Est region.

## Notable For
- **Geographic Precision**: Defined by specific coordinates of 48.95°N latitude and 7.879166666667°E longitude.
- **Historical Transitions**: Located in a region that transitioned from the French arrondissement of Wissembourg to the German district of Unterelsaß and back to French administration multiple times.
- **Administrative Reorganization**: Currently situated within the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg, formed on January 1, 2015, replacing the former Wissembourg arrondissement.
- **Population Stability**: Maintains a consistent population range between 274 and 287 residents, characteristic of small rural French communes.
- **Digital Presence**: Maintains an active official website at https://www.retschwiller.fr for local governance and information.
- **Linguistic Identity**: Recognized by the alias "Retschweiler," reflecting the region's Germanic linguistic heritage.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Retschwiller is geographically positioned at latitude 48.95 and longitude 7.8791666666667. It is located within the Bas-Rhin department, which serves as the French administrative district of the European Collectivity of Alsace. The commune is part of the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg, a division established on January 1, 2015. Prior to this reorganization, the area fell under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Wissembourg, which had a fragmented history of existence from 1800 to 1870, 1919 to 1940, and 1944 to 2015.

### Historical Administrative Context
The territory of Retschwiller has been subject to significant historical administrative changes. Between 1871 and 1918, the region was part of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) within the German Empire, where it was known as Unterelsaß. This district was established on May 20, 1871. The area's status shifted back to French control following World War I, and it remained part of the French administrative system, specifically the arrondissement of Wissembourg, until the 2015 merger. The commune itself is a territorial subdivision of France, a system of municipalities that originated around 1789.

### Demographics and Population
The population of Retschwiller is small and has shown minor variations over time. Recorded population figures include 275, 279, 287, 285, 282, 276, and 274. These numbers reflect the demographic stability typical of rural communes in the Bas-Rhin department. The entity is classified as a commune of France, which is the lowest level of administrative division in the country.

### Digital and Information Presence
Retschwiller maintains a digital footprint through its official website, located at https://www.retschwiller.fr. This platform serves as the primary source for local information and administrative updates. The entity is also documented in the Wikidata database with the description "commune in Bas-Rhin, France" and is associated with the Wikipedia title "Retschwiller." The entity has a sitelink count of 44, indicating its presence across multiple language versions of Wikipedia and other linked projects.

### Regional and National Context
As part of France, Retschwiller is subject to the national framework established by the Treaty of Verdun in 843 (West Francia), the inception of Francia in 481, and the First French Empire in 1804. The Bas-Rhin department, where the commune is located, is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace. The region's history is deeply intertwined with the broader geopolitical shifts of Western Europe, including its time as part of the German Empire and its return to French sovereignty. The commune's location in the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg places it within a larger administrative unit that consolidates several former districts.

## 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)