# Richtolsheim

> commune in Bas-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q21366](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21366)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richtolsheim)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/richtolsheim

## Summary
Richtolsheim is a commune located in the Bas-Rhin department of France, specifically within the arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein. It is a small administrative division classified as a commune of France, situated within the European Collectivity of Alsace.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Commune of France (inception: 1789).
- **Department**: Bas-Rhin (inception: March 4, 1790).
- **Arrondissement**: Sélestat-Erstein.
- **Historical Region**: Unterelsaß (central district of Elsaß-Lothringen, German Empire, 1871–1918).
- **Coordinates**: 48.225277777778°N, 7.5947222222222°E.
- **Population Data Points**: 348, 348, 337, 343, 352, 360, 364, 368, 378, 383.
- **Sitelink Count**: 43.
- **Country**: France.

## FAQs
**Where is Richtolsheim administratively located?**
Richtolsheim is situated in the Bas-Rhin administrative district within the European Collectivity of Alsace. It falls under the arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein in France.

**What historical territory did Richtolsheim belong to?**
From 1871 to 1918, the area was part of Unterelsaß, which was the central district (Bezirk) of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) in the German Empire.

**What are the population trends for Richtolsheim?**
Recorded population figures for the commune include a range of values, fluctuating between a low of 337 and a high of 383 across various data points.

**What is the status of Richtolsheim as a territorial entity?**
It is recognized as a "commune of France," a territorial subdivision for municipalities that was established in 1789.

## Why It Matters
Richtolsheim serves as a fundamental administrative unit within the French Republic, exemplifying the local governance structure of the country. Its location in Bas-Rhin places it within a region of significant historical complexity, having transitioned between French and German control, specifically as part of Unterelsaß during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As a commune, it acts as the foundational level of democratic representation and public service delivery in France, linking local residents to the broader national framework of the European Union and the French semi-presidential system.

## Notable For
- **Historical Identity**: Formerly part of the German Empire's territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Unterelsaß) from 1871 until 1918.
- **Administrative Longevity**: Existing as a defined commune since the inception of the French territorial subdivision system in 1789.
- **Geographic Specificity**: Located at precise coordinates 48.225277777778°N and 7.5947222222222°E.
- **Demographic Scale**: Maintaining a small population size, with recorded figures hovering near the mid-300s.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Richtolsheim is geographically positioned at the coordinates 48.225277777778°N latitude and 7.5947222222222°E longitude. It is situated within the Bas-Rhin department, which serves as a French administrative district within the European Collectivity of Alsace. The commune is further administered through the arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein.

### Administrative History and Classifications
The entity is classified as a "commune of France," a territorial subdivision for municipalities that came into existence in 1789. This places Richtolsheim within the broader administrative hierarchy of the French state. The specific department it resides in, Bas-Rhin, was established on March 4, 1790, with its headquarters in Strasbourg.

Historically, the area was incorporated into Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace). This was the name for the central district (Bezirk) of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) during the period it was part of the German Empire, lasting from May 20, 1871, until the end of World War I in 1918.

### Demographics
The population of Richtolsheim has been recorded through various data points, indicating a small and fluctuating community. The specific population figures documented are 348, 348, 337, 343, 352, 360, 364, 368, 378, and 383.

### National Context: France
As a commune, Richtolsheim is part of France, a country located primarily in Western Europe but extending its presence to other continents through overseas territories in the Americas, Africa, and Oceania.

#### Geography and Territory of France
France encompasses a total area of 643,801 square kilometres. Metropolitan France shares borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain, and Andorra. It is bordered by the English Channel, the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. The highest point in the country is Mont Blanc at 4,808.72 meters, while the lowest point is Étang de Lavalduc at -10 meters. The geographic center is approximately at coordinates 47°N 2°E.

#### Government and Politics
France is a unitary semi-presidential republic with a decentralized administration. The current constitution was established on October 4, 1958, founding the Fifth Republic. The executive branch consists of the President of the Republic (Emmanuel Macron) and the Prime Minister (Sébastien Lecornu). The legislative branch is bicameral, composed of the National Assembly and the Senate. The country is a founding member of the European Union (March 25, 1957) and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (since October 24, 1945). It is also a member of NATO (since April 4, 1949) and possesses nuclear weapons (since 1960).

#### Demographics and Society
As of January 1, 2025, France has an estimated population of 68,605,616. The official language is French, though regional languages such as Basque, Occitan, Catalan, Breton, and Alsatian are also recognized. The age of majority is 18, and compulsory education is required for children between the ages of 6 and 16. The life expectancy at birth is 82 years (2022).

#### Economy and Finance
France has a mixed economy with a nominal GDP of $2.78 trillion USD as of 2022. The government budget for 2023 was €455.2 billion. The currency is the Euro (€) in metropolitan France, while the CFP Franc is used in overseas territories like New Caledonia, French Polynesia, and Wallis and Futuna. The standard VAT rate is 20%, with reduced rates of 10% and 5.5%.

#### Infrastructure and Standards
France operates on Central European Time (UTC+01:00) and observes Central European Summer Time (UTC+02:00). The country drives on the right-hand side of the road. The electrical grid supplies 230 volts at 50 Hz using Europlug and Type E plugs. The international calling code is +33, and the top-level internet domain is .fr.

#### Symbols and Culture
The national flag is the tricolore (blue, white, red), and the official motto is "Liberté, égalité, fraternité" (Liberty, equality, fraternity). The national anthem is "La Marseillaise." Public holidays include New Year's Day, Easter Monday, International Workers' Day (May 1), Victory in Europe Day (May 8), Bastille Day (July 14), and Christmas (December 25).

## References

1. Virtual International 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. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
18. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
19. GeoNames
20. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
21. [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)
22. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)