# Wittenheim

> commune in Haut-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q659533](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q659533)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wittenheim)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/wittenheim

## Summary

Wittenheim is a commune located in the Haut-Rhin department in the Alsace region of northeastern France. Situated at coordinates 47.8075°N 7.3369°E, it is part of the Mulhouse Alsace Agglomération and the arrondissement of Mulhouse. The commune serves as the seat of the canton of Wittenheim and has a population of approximately 15,553 residents.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Wittenheim is situated in the Haut-Rhin department in the Alsace region of France
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 47.8075°N, Longitude 7.3369444444444°E
- **Administrative Status**: Commune in the arrondissement of Mulhouse, seat of the canton of Wittenheim
- **Intercommunal Structure**: Member of Mulhouse Alsace Agglomération (since January 1, 2017)
- **Historical Region**: Part of Upper Alsace (Oberelsass), which was part of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918
- **Department**: Haut-Rhin (established March 4, 1790)
- **Country**: France
- **Aliases**: Wittene, Schönensteinbach
- **Official Website**: http://www.wittenheim.fr
- **Population**: Approximately 15,553 residents (most recent figure provided)
- **Wikipedia Title**: Wittenheim
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Haut-Rhin, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 42

## FAQs

**What region is Wittenheim located in?**

Wittenheim is located in the Alsace region, specifically in the northeastern French department of Haut-Rhin. The area is historically known as Upper Alsace (Oberelsass in German), which was part of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918 before returning to French control.

**What administrative structures is Wittenheim part of?**

Wittenheim is a commune that belongs to the arrondissement of Mulhouse and serves as the administrative seat of the canton of Wittenheim. It is also a member of Mulhouse Alsace Agglomération, an intercommunal structure established on January 1, 2017, which brings together municipalities in the Mulhouse area.

**What is the population of Wittenheim?**

Wittenheim has a population of approximately 15,553 residents according to the most recent data provided. Historical population figures show numbers ranging from around 14,317 to 15,553 over the recorded period.

**What is the historical background of Wittenheim?**

Wittenheim's history is tied to the broader history of Alsace. The commune is located in what was historically known as Upper Alsace (Oberelsass), which became part of the German Empire following the Franco-Prussian War in 1871 and remained under German control until the end of World War I in 1918, when it returned to France.

**What are the alternative names for Wittenheim?**

Wittenheim is also known by two historical aliases: Wittene and Schönensteinbach. These names reflect the commune's German-speaking heritage prior to the region's return to French administration after World War I.

## Why It Matters

Wittenheim matters as a representative commune in the Alsace region, an area of significant historical and strategic importance in European history. The commune exemplifies the complex regional identity of Alsace, which has transitioned between French and German control multiple times throughout history. Today, Wittenheim plays an active role within the Mulhouse Alsace Agglomération, a metropolitan area that serves as an economic and cultural hub in northeastern France.

The commune's position within the canton system and the intercommunal structure demonstrates the organizational framework of French local government. As part of the Mulhouse urban area, Wittenheim contributes to the regional economy and community networks that connect municipalities in the southern Alsace region. The area's bilingual heritage, reflected in both French and German historical influences, makes it a noteworthy example of European cross-border cultural exchange and historical reconciliation.

## Notable For

- **Historical Significance**: Located in Upper Alsace, part of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918
- **Administrative Role**: Serves as the seat of the canton of Wittenheim (established March 22, 2015)
- **Intercommunal Membership**: Part of Mulhouse Alsace Agglomération since 2017
- **Regional Identity**: Represents the distinctive Alsatian cultural heritage combining French and German influences

## Body

### Geography and Location

Wittenheim is situated in the northeastern French department of Haut-Rhin, located in the Alsace region. The commune sits at coordinates 47.8075°N latitude and 7.3369444444444°E longitude. This positioning places Wittenheim in the southern portion of the Alsace region, within the urban area surrounding the city of Mulhouse. The terrain and landscape reflect the characteristic geography of the Rhine valley plain, which dominates this section of Alsace.

### Administrative History

The commune of Wittenheim exists within the French administrative framework that was formalized during the French Revolution. The department of Haut-Rhin was established on March 4, 1790, during the early years of the French Revolution as part of the reorganization of French territorial administration. The commune system itself dates to 1789, when municipalities were formally established as basic territorial units in France.

Historically, the region of Upper Alsace, where Wittenheim is located, experienced significant political changes. From 1871 to 1918, following the Franco-Prussian War, the territory was annexed by the German Empire and known as Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine). During this period, the area was organized into districts (Bezirke), with Upper Alsace constituting the southern district. After World War I, the territory returned to French control, and the commune regained its status within the French administrative system.

### Administrative Structure Today

Wittenheim currently operates within several layers of French local government. At the most local level, it is a commune (municipality), which represents the smallest territorial collective in France. The commune is part of the arrondissement of Mulhouse, an administrative division that groups together municipalities for administrative purposes within the department.

At the canton level, Wittenheim serves as the seat of the canton of Wittenheim. This canton was formally established on March 22, 2015, as part of the decennial redrawing of cantonal boundaries in France. The canton system provides representation at the departmental level and serves as electoral districts for certain elections.

At the intercommunal level, Wittenheim is a member of Mulhouse Alsace Agglomération, an agglomeration community (communauté d'agglomération) that brings together municipalities in the Mulhouse metropolitan area. This intercommunal structure was established on January 1, 2017, consolidating previous intercommunal arrangements into a larger metropolitan framework. The headquarters of Mulhouse Alsace Agglomération is located in Mulhouse, the principal city of the urban area.

### Demographics and Population

Wittenheim has a population of approximately 15,553 residents according to the most recent data. Historical population figures show a generally stable trend with some fluctuation over the recorded period, with numbers ranging from approximately 14,317 to 15,553 residents. The population figures reflect the commune's role as a residential community within the Mulhouse metropolitan area, providing housing for workers and families employed in the regional economy.

### Cultural and Historical Identity

Wittenheim exemplifies the distinctive cultural identity of Alsace, a region characterized by its blend of French and German influences. The commune's alternative names, Wittene and Schönensteinbach, reflect the German-speaking heritage of the region prior to the 20th century. The toponymy of the area bears witness to the complex historical interactions between French and German-speaking populations in this border region.

The commune's website at http://www.wittenheim.fr provides information about local services, community events, and municipal administration for residents and visitors. This digital presence reflects the modern governance approach of French communes, which maintain active communication with their populations through various channels.

### Regional Context

Wittenheim's location within the Mulhouse urban area places it in one of the major metropolitan centers of eastern France. Mulhouse, the principal city of the area, developed historically as an industrial center, particularly in the textile and manufacturing sectors. The surrounding communes, including Wittenheim, form an integrated urban fabric that shares economic, cultural, and social connections.

The Alsace region as a whole is known for its distinctive character, including the Alsatian dialect (Elsässisch), traditional half-timbered architecture, and renowned cuisine. The region has also become symbolic of European reconciliation, having experienced the bitter conflicts of the 19th and 20th centuries before becoming a model of cross-border cooperation within the European Union.

## References

1. CD Atlas of France
2. Virtual International 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. MusicBrainz
10. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
11. Populations légales 2016
12. Populations légales 2017
13. Populations légales 2018
14. Populations légales 2019
15. Populations légales 2020
16. Populations légales 2021
17. Populations de référence 2022
18. Populations de référence 2023
19. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
20. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
21. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
22. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
23. GeoNames
24. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
25. [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)
26. [Wittenheim: Overview | LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ville-de-wittenheim/)
27. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File