Luxembourg

Alternate uses: Luxembourg (disambiguation)

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (also Luxemburg) is a landlocked country in north-west Europe, bordered by France, Germany and Belgium.

Grand-Duché de Luxembourg
Großherzogtum Luxemburg
Grousherzogdem Lëtzebuerg

(In Detail)
National motto: Mir wëlle bleiwe wat mir sin (Luxembourgish, We wish to stay what we are)
Official languages	French, German, (Luxembourgish)
Capital	Luxembourg
Grand Duke	Grand Duke Henri
Prime minister	Jean-Claude Juncker
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 166th 2,586 km² Negligible
Population  - Total (Year)  - Density	Ranked 168th 442,972 171/km²
Independence  - Declared  - Recognised	1835 May 11, 1867
Currency	Euro¹, Lux. euro coins
Time zone	UTC +1
National anthem	Ons Hémécht
Internet TLD	.LU
Calling Code	352
(1) Prior to 1999: Luxembourg franc

History

Founded in 963, Luxembourg became a grand duchy in 1815 and an independent state under the Netherlands. It lost more than half of its territory to Belgium in 1839, but gained a larger measure of autonomy. Full independence was attained in 1867. Overrun by Germany in World War I and by Nazi Germany in World War II, it ended its neutrality in 1948 when it entered into the Benelux Customs Union and when it joined NATO the following year. In 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six founding countries of the European Economic Community (later the European Union) and in 1999 it joined the euro currency area.

Politics

Luxembourg has a parliamentary form of government with a constitutional monarchy by inheritance. Under the constitution of 1868, executive power is exercised by the Grand Duke and the cabinet, which consists of a prime minister and several other ministers.

Legislative power is vested in the Chamber of Deputies, elected directly to 5-year terms. A second body, the "Conseil d'Etat" (Council of State), composed of 21 ordinary citizens appointed by the Grand Duke, advises the Chamber of Deputies in the drafting of legislation.

Districts

Luxembourg is divided in to three administrative subdivisions, or districts:

• Diekirch
• Grevenmacher
• Luxembourg

Geography

The north of the country, part of the Ardennes, has hills and low mountains, with the Burgplatz as the highest point at 559 m. The rest of the country is also hilly.

Luxembourg's southern and eastern borders are formed by a number of rivers, among which the largest is the Moselle.

The capital Luxembourg is the largest city of the country. Other important cities are Esch-sur-Alzette (a.k.a. Esch), to the south-west of the capital, and Echternach, against the German border in the east.

Economy

The stable, high-income economy features moderate growth, low inflation, and low unemployment. The industrial sector, until recently dominated by steel, has become increasingly more diversified to include chemicals, rubber, and other products. During the past decades, growth in the financial sector has more than compensated for the decline in steel. Services, especially banking, account for a growing proportion of the economy. Agriculture is based on small family-owned farms. Luxembourg has especially close trade and financial ties to Belgium and the Netherlands, and as a member of the EU, enjoys the advantages of the open European market.

Demographics

As a small country, much of the population of Luxembourg originates from neighbouring countries, and there are three languages spoken. Besides French (spoken in neighbouring Belgium and France) and German (Germany), Luxembourgish is spoken. There are sizeable minorities of Italian and Portuguese speakers.

Most Luxembourgers adhere to the Roman Catholic faith.

Culture

• Music of Luxembourg

Miscellaneous topics

• Communications in Luxembourg
• Transportation in Luxembourg
• Military of Luxembourg
• Foreign relations of Luxembourg
• List of Grand Dukes of Luxembourg
• Royal Family of Luxembourg
• Luxembourg film

External links

• Official Website

Referenced By