# Rott

> commune in Bas-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q22488](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q22488)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rott,_Bas-Rhin)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rott-q22488-2

## Summary

Rott is a commune located in the Bas-Rhin department in the Alsace region of northeastern France. Situated at coordinates 49.023333°N latitude and 7.908055556°E longitude, the commune belongs to the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg and falls within the historical territory of Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace), which was part of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) in the German Empire from 1871 to 1918. As a commune of France—a territorial subdivision for municipalities established in 1789—Rott represents one of the smallest administrative units in the French system, serving as a local governance and community entity.

## Key Facts

- **Entity Type**: Commune in Bas-Rhin, France
- **Department**: Bas-Rhin (French administrative district established March 4, 1790)
- **Current Arrondissement**: arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg (established January 1, 2015)
- **Former Arrondissement**: arrondissement of Wissembourg (existed 1800-1870, 1919-1940, and 1944-2015)
- **Historical Region**: Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace), part of Elsaß-Lothringen in the German Empire (1871-1918)
- **Coordinates**: 49.023333333333°N latitude, 7.9080555555556°E longitude
- **Country**: France
- **Commune System Established**: 1789 (commune of France territorial subdivision)
- **Website**: https://rott.fr
- **Wikipedia Title**: Rott, Bas-Rhin
- **Population Values Recorded**: 476, 481, 479, 472, 470, 469, 468, 468, 467, 462 (across recorded periods)
- **Sitelink Count**: 45

## FAQs

**What administrative region does Rott belong to?**

Rott is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department of France, located in the Alsace region in northeastern France. It currently falls under the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg, which was created on January 1, 2015, as part of administrative reorganization in France.

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

The Alsace region, including Rott's area known as Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace), has a complex historical background. From 1871 to 1918, this territory was part of the German Empire as Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) following the Franco-Prussian War. The region returned to French control after World War I, though it was again under German administration during World War II (1940-1944).

**What type of administrative division is a commune in France?**

A commune is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France, a system established in 1789 during the French Revolution. Communes serve as the lowest level of local government and are analogous to municipalities or townships in other countries. There are over 35,000 communes in France.

**What are the coordinates and location details of Rott?**

Rott is located at approximately 49.023333°N latitude and 7.908055556°E longitude, placing it in the northeastern portion of France near the German border. The commune sits within the Bas-Rhin department, which is characterized by its proximity to Germany and its position in the Rhine valley.

**How can I find more information about Rott?**

The official website for Rott is available at https://rott.fr, and the commune has a Wikipedia article titled "Rott, Bas-Rhin" that provides additional context about the locality.

## Why It Matters

Rott, while a small commune, represents the granular administrative structure that forms the backbone of French local governance. The commune system in France is notable for being one of the most decentralized administrative structures in Europe, with over 35,000 communes of varying sizes serving as the primary unit of local democracy and administration. Each commune, regardless of population size, maintains its own municipal council, mayor, and local administration.

The historical context of Rott and the Alsace region more broadly illustrates the complex geopolitical history of northeastern France. The territory has changed hands multiple times between France and Germany, most notably during the periods of German annexation (1871-1918 and 1940-1944). This history has shaped the region's unique cultural identity, bilingualism (French and Alsatian German dialects), and architectural heritage.

For researchers and those interested in French administrative organization, Rott exemplifies how the commune system provides local governance while maintaining connection to broader departmental and regional structures. The commune's membership in the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg connects it to a network of 68 communes in the Haguenau-Wissembourg arrondissement, facilitating regional cooperation and administrative coordination.

The population figures recorded for Rott (ranging from 462 to 481 residents across recorded periods) reflect the demographic reality of many rural communes in eastern France, where population stability or gradual decline characterizes smaller municipalities away from major urban centers like Strasbourg.

## Notable For

- **Administrative Continuity**: Rott has maintained its status as a commune since at least the modern French administrative system was established in 1789, demonstrating the longevity and stability of France's municipal governance structure.
- **Historical Territory**: Located in Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace), a region that was part of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918, making it part of a territory with a unique cross-border historical legacy.
- **Departmental Membership**: Part of Bas-Rhin, one of the two departments in the Alsace region (along with Haut-Rhin), known for its distinctive cultural heritage, viticulture, and strategic position on the Franco-German border.
- **Arrondissement Reorganization**: Currently part of the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg, created in 2015 as part of France's administrative reorganization, replacing the former arrondissement of Wissembourg which had existed in various forms since 1800.

## Body

### Geography and Location

Rott is situated in the northeastern French department of Bas-Rhin, which is part of the Alsace region. The commune's precise coordinates place it at 49.023333333333°N latitude and 7.9080555555556°E longitude. This location positions Rott in the heart of Alsace, a region characterized by its fertile Rhine valley, rolling vineyards, and proximity to the German border. The terrain and climate of this region are influenced by its continental position, with cold winters and warm summers typical of eastern France.

The commune lies within the broader geographical context of Unterelsaß, or Lower Alsace, which historically referred to the portion of Alsace lying closer to the Rhine River and the German-speaking world. This contrasts with Oberelsaß (Upper Alsace), which is more mountainous and closer to the Swiss border.

### Administrative Structure

Rott operates as a commune, which is the fundamental territorial collectivity in France. The French commune system, established in 1789 following the French Revolution, divides the entire territory of France into over 35,000 municipalities. Each commune is an administrative unit with its own council, mayor, and local government, though the extent of local autonomy varies based on population and resources.

At the departmental level, Rott belongs to Bas-Rhin, one of France's 101 departments. The department of Bas-Rhin was created on March 4, 1790, during the early years of the French Revolution, as part of the initial division of France into administrative districts. The department is named after the Rhine River (Rhin in French, Rhein in German), which forms part of its eastern border.

Rott is currently part of the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg, an administrative district that was created on January 1, 2015, as part of a reorganization of French arrondissements. This reorganization merged the former arrondissements of Haguenau and Wissembourg. The former arrondissement of Wissembourg, to which Rott was previously attached, had existed during three distinct periods: 1800-1870, 1919-1940, and 1944-2015.

### Historical Context

The history of Rott and the Alsace region is deeply intertwined with the complex geopolitical relationship between France and Germany. The territory of Alsace-Lorraine (Elsaß-Lothringen) was annexed by the German Empire following the Franco-Prussian War in 1871. During this period, from 1871 to 1918, the region was organized as a Bezirk (district) within the German Empire, with Unterelsaß serving as the central district.

Following World War I, the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 returned Alsace-Lorraine to France. The region then experienced another period of German administration during World War II, from 1940 to 1944, before being returned to French control after the war. This alternating control has left a lasting impact on the region's culture, language, and administrative structures.

The commune of Rott, like others in the region, has navigated these political transitions while maintaining its identity as a French administrative unit. The stability of the commune system, which persisted through these regime changes, demonstrates the resilience of French local governance structures.

### Population and Demographics

The population figures recorded for Rott—476, 481, 479, 472, 470, 469, 468, 468, 467, and 462—suggest a small but relatively stable community. These figures likely represent census data from multiple years, showing population fluctuations within a narrow range. Such population stability is characteristic of many rural communes in eastern France, where aging populations and limited economic opportunities have constrained growth.

As a small commune, Rott likely lacks extensive local services and amenities that would be found in larger towns and cities. However, commune residents benefit from membership in the broader administrative and economic structures of the Bas-Rhin department and the Alsace region, which offer employment, education, and services in larger centers like Strasbourg, the regional capital.

### Regional Connections

Rott's position within the Bas-Rhin department connects it to a region of significant economic and cultural importance. Bas-Rhin is home to the city of Strasbourg, which serves as the seat of several European institutions, including the European Parliament. The department is known for its strong economy, driven by manufacturing, agriculture (particularly viticulture), and services.

The arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg, to which Rott belongs, encompasses 68 communes and serves as an intermediate administrative level between the commune and the department. The subprefecture towns of Haguenau and Wissembourg provide administrative services and serve as economic centers for the surrounding communes.

The historical connection to Unterelsaß and the broader Alsace region also links Rott to a distinctive cultural heritage. The Alsace region is known for its half-timbered houses, Christmas markets, wine route, and unique dialect of German (Alsatian). These cultural elements reflect the region's position at the crossroads of French and German civilization.

### Local Governance

As a commune of France, Rott is governed by a municipal council elected by residents and headed by a mayor. The mayor serves as the chief executive of the commune, responsible for local administration, civil status (births, deaths, marriages), local taxes, and municipal services. In small communes like Rott, the municipal council often consists of a small number of advisors who serve part-time alongside their primary occupations.

Communes in France have significant autonomy in local matters, including urban planning, local infrastructure, and community events. However, they also depend on higher levels of government for certain services and funding, particularly for education, road maintenance, and social services.

### Contemporary Relevance

In the contemporary French administrative system, communes like Rott continue to serve as the most immediate level of government for citizens. While populations may be small, these communes maintain their importance in the French administrative hierarchy. They provide a direct connection between citizens and the state, administer local resources, and preserve community identity.

The website https://rott.fr indicates that the commune maintains an online presence, allowing residents and interested parties to access information about local services, council meetings, and community events. This digital presence reflects the adaptation of small French communes to modern communication methods while maintaining traditional local governance structures.

The sitelink count of 45 for Rott's Wikipedia article suggests moderate visibility in the digital information ecosystem, with the commune attracting enough interest to warrant coverage in the online encyclopedia while remaining a relatively obscure location compared to larger French cities.

## 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)