HautRhin

Haut-Rhin was a department in the Grand Est region of northeastern France. It was created in 1790 from the former province of Alsace. Its prefecture was Colmar. The department's INSEE code was 68. In 2016, Haut-Rhin was merged with the Bas-Rhin department to form the new department of Bas-Rhin-Haut-Rhin, which was later renamed simply Bas-Rhin. The territory of the former Haut-Rhin is now part of the larger administrative area of the Collectivité européenne d'Alsace.

The geography of Haut-Rhin was characterized by the Vosges mountains to the west and the Rhine river forming its eastern border with Germany. The Alsatian plain lay between these features. Major cities included Mulhouse, Colmar, and Saint-Louis. The economy was historically driven by industry, particularly textiles in the south around Mulhouse, and agriculture in the fertile plain. Tourism also played a significant role, attracted by the picturesque villages, wine routes, and natural landscapes of the Vosges.

The cultural heritage of Haut-Rhin, like the rest of Alsace, reflected a blend of French and German influences. This was evident in its architecture, cuisine, and local dialect. The department was known for its wine production, particularly from the Alsace wine route. Significant historical sites included the Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg and numerous medieval villages. The administrative dissolution of Haut-Rhin as a distinct department aimed to consolidate regional governance and administrative structures within Alsace.