# Steinseltz

> commune in Bas-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q21483](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21483)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steinseltz)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/steinseltz

## Summary
Steinseltz is a commune located in the Bas-Rhin department of France, within the historical region of Alsace. It is a small municipality with a population fluctuating around 600 inhabitants, known for its local football club, F.C. Steinseltz, and its administrative ties to the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Steinseltz is situated in the Bas-Rhin department of the European Collectivity of Alsace, France.
- **Population**: The commune's population has varied between 596 and 643 inhabitants in recent years.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 49.010555555556, Longitude 7.9311111111111.
- **Administrative Division**: Part of the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg since 2015.
- **Historical Context**: Previously part of the arrondissement of Wissembourg (1800–1870, 1919–1940, 1944–2015).
- **Aliases**: Also known as Steinselz or Schafbusch.
- **Football Club**: Home to F.C. Steinseltz, a local association football club founded in 1949.
- **Website**: Official commune website at [https://www.steinseltz.fr](https://www.steinseltz.fr).
- **Wikidata Sitelinks**: 46 sitelinks, indicating its presence across multiple language editions of Wikipedia.

## FAQs
**Where is Steinseltz located?**
Steinseltz is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department of France, within the historical and cultural region of Alsace. It lies near the German border and is part of the larger European Collectivity of Alsace.

**What is the population of Steinseltz?**
The population of Steinseltz has fluctuated slightly over recent years, ranging from approximately 596 to 643 inhabitants. This makes it a small, rural municipality typical of the Alsace region.

**What is the history of Steinseltz's administrative divisions?**
Steinseltz was historically part of the arrondissement of Wissembourg during three distinct periods: 1800–1870, 1919–1940, and 1944–2015. Since 2015, it has been part of the newly formed arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg, reflecting broader administrative reforms in France.

**What is F.C. Steinseltz?**
F.C. Steinseltz is the local association football club based in the commune, founded in 1949. It serves as a community focal point for sports and local engagement, reflecting the cultural importance of football in rural French municipalities.

**What are the alternative names for Steinseltz?**
Steinseltz is also known by the names Steinselz and Schafbusch, reflecting its linguistic and historical ties to both French and German influences in the Alsace region.

## Why It Matters
Steinseltz represents the administrative and cultural fabric of rural France, particularly within the historically contested region of Alsace. Its small size and stable population make it a microcosm of local governance, community life, and regional identity in France. The presence of F.C. Steinseltz highlights the role of sports in fostering community cohesion, while its administrative history reflects broader changes in French territorial organization, particularly in border regions like Alsace. Understanding Steinseltz provides insight into the everyday functioning of French communes and their significance in preserving local heritage and identity.

## Notable For
- **Historical Administrative Shifts**: Steinseltz has been part of multiple arrondissements over its history, reflecting changes in French territorial organization, particularly in Alsace.
- **Local Football Club**: Home to F.C. Steinseltz, a long-standing association football club founded in 1949, which plays a key role in community life.
- **Multilingual Heritage**: Known by multiple names (Steinselz, Schafbusch), showcasing the linguistic duality of the Alsace region.
- **Small Commune Dynamics**: Serves as an example of rural French governance, with a population consistently around 600 inhabitants.

## Body
### Geography and Location
Steinseltz is located in the Bas-Rhin department of France, within the European Collectivity of Alsace. The commune is situated at coordinates 49.010555555556 (latitude) and 7.9311111111111 (longitude), placing it in the northeastern part of France, near the border with Germany. This location is part of the historical region of Alsace, known for its cultural and linguistic blend of French and German influences.

### Administrative History
Steinseltz has undergone several administrative changes over the years. It was originally part of the arrondissement of Wissembourg, which existed during three distinct periods: 1800–1870, 1919–1940, and 1944–2015. The arrondissement of Wissembourg was dissolved and merged into the larger arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg in 2015 as part of France's territorial reforms aimed at streamlining local governance. This change reflects broader trends in French administrative organization, particularly in regions with complex historical backgrounds like Alsace.

### Demographics
The population of Steinseltz has remained relatively stable, with recent figures indicating between 596 and 643 inhabitants. This small population size is characteristic of many rural communes in France, where local governance and community life play a central role. The demographic stability suggests a close-knit community with limited migration, typical of rural areas in Alsace.

### Cultural and Community Life
Steinseltz is home to F.C. Steinseltz, a local association football club founded in 1949. The club serves as a hub for community engagement and sports, reflecting the importance of football in French rural life. The existence of such a club highlights the role of sports in fostering social cohesion and local identity.

### Linguistic and Historical Context
The commune is known by multiple names, including Steinselz and Schafbusch, which reflect its historical and linguistic ties to both French and German cultures. Alsace has long been a region of linguistic and cultural exchange, and the alternative names for Steinseltz underscore this dual heritage. The use of these names also reflects the historical shifts in sovereignty over Alsace, particularly during periods of German and French control.

### Governance and Infrastructure
As a commune, Steinseltz is governed by local municipal structures typical of French rural administration. The commune's official website, [https://www.steinseltz.fr](https://www.steinseltz.fr), serves as a platform for local information, governance, and community engagement. The website likely provides details on local services, events, and administrative procedures, reflecting the commune's role in local governance.

### Related Entities
Steinseltz is part of the broader administrative and historical context of Alsace, which includes entities such as the Bas-Rhin department and the former arrondissement of Wissembourg. The commune's history is intertwined with the larger narrative of Alsace, particularly its shifts between French and German control and its eventual integration into the modern French administrative system. The presence of F.C. Steinseltz also ties the commune to the broader cultural and sporting landscape of France.

## 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. MusicBrainz
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)