The picturesque Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is one of the world's smallest nations. Despite its small size, it is a center of European diplomacy. Luxembourg is also a popular destination for people who enjoy outdoor sports. They come to enjoy the country's extensive network of hiking trails and bicycle paths and to fish in Luxembourg's rivers and streams. The capital is Luxembourg city. GeographyLuxembourg has an area of only 998 square miles (2,586 square kilometers). It is surrounded by Belgium to the west and north, Germany to the northeast and east, and France to the south. The southern two thirds of Luxembourg is known as the Good Land, called Bon Pays in French and Gutland in German. The northern part of the country, called Ösling, lies on a plateau of the Ardennes Mountains. The highest point is Buurgplaatz at 1,835 feet (559 meters). Luxembourg has a mild climate. The north is slightly colder and more humid than the south. The sheltered valley of the Moselle River has a gentler and sunnier climate than the rest of the country. In spring and summer the steep river valleys of Luxembourg are covered with a dense carpet of wildflowers. A great woodland, the Müllerthal, lies in the east-central part of the Good Land. People and cultureThe society and culture of Luxembourg reflect the country's common interests and close historical relations with its neighbors. The three most common languages are German, French, and Luxembourgian, which is a Germanic dialect influenced by both French and German. Most of the people are Roman Catholics. - The town of Clervaux lies among the forested hills of the Ösling region of northern Luxembourg.
The vast majority of the population lives in cities or towns, though the capital and largest city, Luxembourg has fewer than 100,000 people. Other cities include Esch-sur-Alzette, Differdange, and Dudelange. EconomyIron and steel production constituted Luxembourg's leading industry until the iron ore deposits of the southwest were used up in the 1980s. Although the industry remains a part of the Luxembourg economy, the rubber tire, plastic, chemical, and machine industries have grown in importance. Banking and financial services are also important. Agriculture is a small sector of the Luxembourg economy. Crops grown in the north include barley, wheat, oats, and potatoes. In the southeast, vineyards in the valley of the Moselle River produce wines. Livestock and dairy farming contribute to the agricultural production. HistoryThe region that is now Luxembourg has been inhabited since at least 500 BC. It was controlled by various tribes and kingdoms, including the Franks and the Holy Roman Empire, until the 10th century AD. In AD 963 Siegfried, Count of the Ardennes, established an independent state in the area that is now Luxembourg city. He ruled from an old Roman castle called Lucilinburhuc, or “little fortress,” from which the country's name is derived. In 1354 the region became a duchy, or dukedom. From the 15th to the 19th century the duchy was ruled by a succession of foreign powers. It finally gained full independence in 1866. Although the country was officially neutral, it was occupied by Germany during both World War I and World War II. After World War II, Luxembourg gave up its neutrality and joined several international organizations, including the United Nations. Many institutions of the European Union are based in Luxembourg. It is also a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Luxembourg city is one of the capitals of the European Union and as such is home to the European Court of Justice. Population (2001 estimate), 444,000. |