# Urbeis

> commune in Bas-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q21594](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21594)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urbeis)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/urbeis

## Summary

Urbeis is a commune located in the Bas-Rhin department of the Alsace region in northeastern France. Situated at coordinates 48.325555555556°N 7.2236111111111°E, this small municipality falls within the arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein and has been part of the French administrative system since the department's creation in 1790. The commune is historically situated in the region known as Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace), which was part of the German Empire's territory of Alsace-Lorraine from 1871 to 1918.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: Urbeis
- **Type**: Commune of France (municipal territorial subdivision)
- **Country**: France
- **Department**: Bas-Rhin (inception: March 4, 1790)
- **Arrondissement**: Sélestat-Erstein
- **Historical Region**: Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace), part of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) in the German Empire (1871-1918)
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 48.325555555556, Longitude 7.2236111111111
- **Alternative Names**: Oberurbeis, Unterurbeis
- **Website**: https://urbeis.fr
- **Wikipedia Title**: Urbeis
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Bas-Rhin, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 42
- **Population**: Approximately 309-334 residents (varying across census years)

## FAQs

**What type of administrative area is Urbeis?**

Urbeis is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. The French commune system was established in 1789 and serves as the fundamental unit of local government in the country.

**Which department and arrondissement does Urbeis belong to?**

Urbeis is located in the Bas-Rhin department, which is part of the Alsace region in northeastern France. Within the administrative structure, it belongs to the arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein.

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

The Alsace region, including Urbeis, has a complex historical background. The area known as Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace) was part of the German Empire's territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) from 1871 to 1918. This territory was annexed by Germany following the Franco-Prussian War and returned to France after World War I.

**What are the geographical coordinates of Urbeis?**

Urbeis is situated at latitude 48.325555555556 north and longitude 7.2236111111111 east, placing it in the northeastern part of France near the German border.

**Are there alternative names for Urbeis?**

Yes, Urbeis is also known by two historical aliases: Oberurbeis (Upper Urbeis) and Unterurbeis (Lower Urbeis), reflecting its position within the local geography.

## Why It Matters

Urbeis represents the small but historically significant communes that dot the French landscape, particularly in the Alsace region with its unique blend of French and Germanic cultural influences. While numerically small in population, these communes form the foundational administrative units of French local governance and preserve the cultural heritage of their regions.

The commune matters particularly for understanding the complex historical dynamics of the Franco-German border region. Alsace-Lorraine's shifting sovereignty between France and Germany has left lasting impacts on local identity, language, and administration. Urbeis, as part of this historical tapestry, exemplifies how local communities maintain their identity through centuries of political changes.

From a administrative perspective, Urbeis serves as an example of France's decentralized governance structure, where communes, while small, possess legal personality and autonomy in local matters. This system allows for tailored local administration that responds to the specific needs of each community, whether in the densely populated Parisian region or the rural valleys of Alsace.

## Notable For

- **Historical Significance**: Located in the historic region of Unterelsaß, part of Alsace-Lorraine during German imperial rule (1871-1918)
- **Bilingual Heritage**: Part of the Alsace region known for its unique Franco-Germanic cultural blend and Alsatian language traditions
- **Administrative Continuity**: Part of the Bas-Rhin department since its creation during the French Revolution in 1790
- **Local Governance**: Operates as a commune, the fundamental unit of French municipal organization established in 1789

## Body

### Geography and Location

Urbeis is positioned at coordinates 48.325555555556°N 7.2236111111111°E in northeastern France. The commune is located in the Bas-Rhin department, which forms part of the Alsace region along the French-German border. The area is characterized by the rolling hills and valleys typical of the Alsatian landscape, situated inland from the Rhine River plain.

The commune falls within the arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein, which encompasses numerous smaller municipalities in this portion of Alsace. This administrative arrangement places Urbeis within a regional framework that balances local autonomy with coordinated departmental services.

### Historical Context

The territory of Urbeis has been shaped by centuries of Franco-Germanic interaction. The region known as Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace) was historically part of the larger Alsace region, which experienced contested sovereignty between France and various German states.

From 1871 to 1918, following the Franco-Prussian War, the entire Alsace-Lorraine region (Elsaß-Lothringen) was annexed into the German Empire. During this period, the area underwent significant German administrative influence, including the establishment of the Bezirk (district) system, with Unterelsaß serving as the central district of the imperial territory.

Following World War I, the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 returned Alsace-Lorraine to France, and the region was reintegrated into French administrative structures. The current departmental system, with Bas-Rhin as one of its key departments, dates from this period of French recovery.

### Administrative Structure

As a French commune, Urbeis operates as a territorial collectivity with its own local government. The commune system in France traces its origins to the revolutionary period of 1789, when the National Constituent Assembly abolished the previous feudal divisions and established the commune as the fundamental unit of administrative organization.

Bas-Rhin, the department to which Urbeis belongs, was created on March 4, 1790, during the early stages of the French Revolution. This department encompasses the northern portion of the historical Alsace region and serves as an intermediate level of administration between the commune and the regional council.

The arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein provides another layer of administrative coordination, grouping together communes in the central-southern portion of the Bas-Rhin department for purposes of state administration, including prefectural services and electoral organization.

### Demographics and Community

While precise population figures vary across different census years, the data indicates a population ranging between 309 and 334 residents. This places Urbeis among the smaller communes in France, reflecting the rural character of much of the Alsatian interior beyond the major urban centers of Strasbourg and Mulhouse.

Small communes like Urbeis play an essential role in maintaining the cultural fabric of the Alsace region. They often preserve traditional architecture, local dialects, and community practices that distinguish Alsace from other French regions.

### Cultural and Regional Identity

The Alsace region, including Urbeis, possesses a distinctive cultural identity that blends French and Germanic elements. This dual heritage is evident in local cuisine, architecture, traditions, and the Alsatian dialect (Elsässisch), a Germanic dialect spoken alongside French.

The region is famous for its half-timbered houses, vineyards, and Christmas markets, as well as its role as a crossroads of European civilization. Cities like Strasbourg, the European Parliament's seat, highlight the region's continued importance in European affairs.

### Local Infrastructure and Services

As a functioning French commune, Urbeis provides local services to its residents, including municipal administration, local taxation, and community facilities. The commune maintains its own website (https://urbeis.fr), indicating active local governance and communication with residents.

The broader administrative framework ensures that even small communes have access to departmental and regional services, including education, healthcare, and transportation infrastructure.

### Related Administrative Entities

Urbeis exists within a hierarchy of French territorial organization:

- **France**: The nation-state, a semi-presidential republic and founding member of the European Union
- **Alsace Region**: One of France's 18 administrative regions
- **Bas-Rhin Department**: Created March 4, 1790, part of the Alsace region
- **Arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein**: Intermediate administrative division
- **Commune of France**: The fundamental unit of municipal organization, established 1789

The historical context also connects Urbeis to the imperial German territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (1871-1918), during which time the region was known as Unterelsaß, serving as the central district of the German imperial territory.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Integrated Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
5. INSEE code
6. répertoire géographique des communes
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Annuaire de service-public.fr
9. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
10. Populations légales 2016
11. Populations légales 2017
12. Populations légales 2018
13. Populations légales 2019
14. Populations légales 2020
15. Populations légales 2021
16. Populations de référence 2022
17. Populations de référence 2023
18. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
19. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
20. GeoNames
21. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
22. [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)
23. [Code officiel géographique. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
24. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
25. museum-digital