# Struth

> commune in Bas-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q21485](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21485)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Struth)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/struth

## Summary

Struth is a commune located in the Bas-Rhin department of the European Collectivity of Alsace in northeastern France. Situated in the arrondissement of Saverne, the commune sits at coordinates 48.893888888889°N latitude and 7.2558333333333°E longitude. As part of the historical region of Alsace-Lorraine, Struth represents the administrative and cultural continuity of this contested territory through various political transformations since the late 18th century.

## Key Facts

- **Entity Type**: Commune in Bas-Rhin, France
- **Administrative Division**: Arrondissement of Saverne
- **Department**: Bas-Rhin
- **Region**: European Collectivity of Alsace
- **Country**: France
- **Coordinates**: 48.893888888889°N, 7.2558333333333°E
- **Historical Region**: Alsace-Lorraine (German: Unterelsaß)
- **Population**: 253, 249, 252, 243, 233, 224, 221, 218, 213 (multiple census years)
- **Wikipedia Title**: Struth
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Bas-Rhin, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 43
- **Administrative District Inception**: Bas-Rhin established March 4, 1790
- **Commune of France Inception**: 1789

## FAQs

**What is Struth and where is it located?**

Struth is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department located in the northeastern French region of Alsace. It is part of the arrondissement of Saverne and falls within the European Collectivity of Alsace. The commune is situated at coordinates 48.893888888889°N latitude and 7.2558333333333°E longitude.

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

Struth is part of the Bas-Rhin administrative district, which was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. The commune belongs to the arrondissement of Saverne and falls under the jurisdiction of the European Collectivity of Alsace. The commune system itself dates back to 1789.

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

Struth is situated in the historical region of Alsace-Lorraine, specifically in the area known as Unterelsaß (Central Alsace). This territory was part of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918 following the Franco-Prussian War, when it was organized as a Bezirk (district) of Elsaß-Lothringen. The region has changed hands multiple times between France and Germany throughout history.

**What is the population of Struth?**

According to available data, Struth has recorded the following population figures across multiple census years: 253, 249, 252, 243, 233, 224, 221, 218, and 213 residents. These figures demonstrate a gradual population decline over the recorded period.

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

A commune is the lowest-level territorial subdivision in France, representing a municipality. The French commune system was established in 1789 and serves as the fundamental unit of local administration in the country. There are over 35,000 communes in France, each with its own local government.

## Why It Matters

Struth matters as a representative example of the small rural communes that form the backbone of French territorial administration. Located in the historically significant region of Alsace-Lorraine, Struth embodies the complex historical and cultural dynamics of this border region that has been contested between France and Germany for centuries. The commune's existence since at least the late 18th century demonstrates the continuity of French municipal administration even in areas that experienced significant political upheaval, including incorporation into the German Empire from 1871 to 1918.

The commune's location within Bas-Rhin and the arrondissement of Saverne places it in one of France's most economically dynamic regions, close to the German border. This positioning has implications for cross-border cooperation, economic exchange, and cultural exchange between France and Germany. As part of the European Collectivity of Alsace, Struth participates in the regional governance structure that was established to preserve and promote the unique Alsatian cultural identity and linguistic heritage.

Furthermore, Struth represents the demographic reality of many rural French communes facing population decline. The population figures showing a decrease from 253 to 213 residents reflect broader trends of rural depopulation and urbanization that affect small municipalities across France. Understanding these dynamics is essential for policy makers addressing territorial cohesion and rural development.

## Notable For

- **Historical Border Region Location**: Situated in Alsace-Lorraine, a region that has changed sovereignty between France and Germany multiple times since 1871
- **Administrative Continuity**: Part of the Bas-Rhin district since its establishment in 1790, representing over two centuries of continuous French administrative organization
- **Part of European Collectivity of Alsace**: Included in the unique territorial collectivity that replaced the former Alsace region in 2021
- **Cross-Border Proximity**: Located in northeastern France near the German border, facilitating Franco-German economic and cultural exchange

## Body

### Geography and Location

Struth is a commune situated in the northeastern French department of Bas-Rhin, which is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace. The commune is located at precise coordinates of 48.893888888889°N latitude and 7.2558333333333°E longitude. This positioning places Struth in the heart of the Alsace region, approximately midway between Strasbourg and the German border. The terrain consists of the characteristic rolling hills and farmland of the Alsatian plain, typical of the easternmost agricultural areas of France before the Vosges mountains rise to the west.

The commune falls within the arrondissement of Saverne, one of the administrative divisions responsible for coordinating state services and local governance in the Bas-Rhin department. This arrondissement serves as an important administrative hub for the surrounding rural communes, providing access to government services, courts, and administrative offices for residents of Struth and neighboring municipalities.

### Administrative History

Struth's administrative status is deeply intertwined with the broader history of French territorial organization and the complex history of Alsace-Lorraine. The commune system in France was established in 1789 during the French Revolution, creating the fundamental units of local administration that persist to this day. Struth has been a commune since this foundational period of modern French administration.

The department of Bas-Rhin, within which Struth is located, was created on March 4, 1790, as part of the revolutionary reorganization of France's administrative divisions. This department encompasses the northern portion of the historical Alsace region and has maintained its boundaries and identity through numerous political changes, including the periods of German rule and the return to French sovereignty.

The territory of Alsace-Lorraine, historically known in German as Elsaß-Lothringen, experienced dramatic political transformations during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Following France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, the region was annexed by the German Empire and administered as a distinct imperial territory. The central district of this territory was designated as Unterelsaß (Central Alsace), encompassing the area where Struth is located. This German administration lasted from 1871 until the end of World War I in 1918, when the region returned to French control following the Treaty of Versailles.

### Demographics and Population

The population data for Struth reveals a pattern of gradual decline over multiple census years. The recorded population figures are: 253, 249, 252, 243, 233, 224, 221, 218, and 213 residents. This decline reflects a widespread phenomenon affecting many rural communes across France, where younger residents often relocate to larger urban centers in search of employment opportunities and access to services.

The population trajectory of Struth is consistent with broader demographic trends in rural France, where agricultural modernization, the concentration of services in larger towns, and lifestyle changes have led to population decreases in many small municipalities. However, the commune continues to maintain its administrative function and community identity despite these demographic challenges.

### Regional Context: European Collectivity of Alsace

Struth is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace, a unique territorial collectivity created in 2021 that replaced the former Alsace region. This administrative reorganization was designed to address the specific needs and identity of the Alsace region, which shares close cultural and linguistic ties with neighboring German-speaking areas. The European Collectivity of Alsace has expanded competencies compared to standard French regions, particularly in areas such as cross-border cooperation, cultural promotion, and economic development.

The Bas-Rhin department, which includes Struth, is one of the most prosperous and densely populated departments in eastern France. The region benefits from its proximity to Germany, Switzerland, and the institutions of the European Union in Strasbourg. Economic activities in the area include agriculture, manufacturing, technology, and services, with many residents commuting across the German border for work.

### Relationship to Surrounding Entities

Struth exists within a hierarchical system of French administrative divisions. At the highest level, it belongs to France, a country that traces its origins to the Treaty of Verdun in 843 AD and the establishment of West Francia. France operates as a semi-presidential republic and is a founding member of the European Union and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

At the intermediate levels, Struth is part of the Bas-Rhin department (established 1790) and the arrondissement of Saverne. The commune of France classification, which dates to 1789, represents the lowest and most fundamental level of French territorial organization, providing local governance and services to residents.

The historical connection to Unterelsaß (Central Alsace) as part of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918 remains a significant aspect of the region's historical identity, even though this administrative division no longer exists. This period of German rule left lasting impacts on the region's architecture, culture, and collective memory.

### Local Governance and Services

As a French commune, Struth is governed by a municipal council headed by a mayor. The commune provides essential local services to its residents, including municipal administration, local planning, maintenance of public spaces, and coordination of local events. The commune also participates in intercommunal structures that pool resources and services across multiple municipalities to achieve efficiencies and provide services that individual small communes cannot support alone.

The commune's small population necessitates cooperation with neighboring municipalities and higher levels of government to provide comprehensive services. This intercommunal cooperation is a hallmark of French local governance, particularly in rural areas where individual communes may lack the resources to maintain full-service administrations.

## 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. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
22. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
23. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File