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Luxembourg Travel Guide, Luxembourg

Luxembourg - Small Country, Big Character!

Luxembourg, one of Europe’s smallest countries, has an area of 997 square miles and a population of approximately 474,000. As a duchy, Luxembourg is ruled by the current Grand Duke, Henry Albert Gabrielle Felix Marie Guillaum, the eldest son of Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg and Princess Josephine Charlotte of Belgium. The Grand Duke’s official residence is The Grand Ducal Palace.

Government and Economy

A parliamentary representative democracy, Luxembourg was one of the founder members of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treat Organisation (NATO). Luxembourg’s capital city, also called Luxembourg, is headquarters to many of the European Union’s official agencies.

Luxembourg has a thriving economy, boasting the highest Gross Domestic Product in the world. Its agricultural is based mainly on small, family-owned farms but the industrial sector, which used to be dominated by steel, is becoming increasingly diverse, and Luxembourg’s economic industry is thriving. The country also boasts a thriving wine industry, based in the beautiful Moselle Valley.

Geography

Situated in the northwest of Europe, Luxembourg is bordered by Germany, France, and Belgium. As a landlocked country, it has a small army but no navy forces. The ‘Oesling’ in the northern third of the Luxembourg, is a mountainous region with a small population of less than 3,000 residents. The mid to lower parts of the country are known as the ‘Gutland’. This is a more populous area and is home to the country’s capital city, Luxembourg.

History

In the year 963 a small castle was built and this was the beginnings of Luxembourg’s development. Gradually this town become the nucleus of a state which gained great strategic importance, disproportionate to its size. Through time Luxembourg grew, strengthened by its diversity of occupants, but mainly by France. In spite of being occupied by Germany in the First World War Luxembourg maintained its independence and neutrality. However, during the Second World War it was again occupied by Germany and became part of the Third Reich. At this, Luxembourg abandoned its neutrality and fought with the allies in opposition to Germany. The U.S. Military Cemetery is based in a forest clearing near the village of Hamm, east of Luxembourg City. It is home to the grave of over 5,000 American servicemen killed during the World War II.

Culture

The main religion of Luxembourg is Roman Catholic with about 13% of the population being Protestant, other Christian religions, Jews, and Muslims. Notre Dame Cathedral is the Roman Catholic cathedral in Luxembourg. There are three official languages spoken in Luxembourg - German, French, Luxembourgish. Similar to German Luxembourgish is recognized as the official language of the Grand Duchy. As each language predominates in different aspects of life most people in Luxembourg are multi-lingual. This includes a wide understanding of English, as this language is taught in Luxembourg schools to children from about thirteen years of age upwards.

Due to Luxembourg’s close proximity to larger neighbors much of its culture has been overshadowed in the world market. However, it still retains many folk traditions and Luxembourg boasts several museums to display its heritage.

However, a very small country, Luxembourg’s impact on European, and indeed, world affairs has been significant. Its involvement as part of 2007’s European Capital of Culture will have increased its status on both a cultural and economic level.

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Luxembourg
review by adam posted more then 30 days ago
Luxembourg is the wealthiest country in Europe, and the second richest in the world after Qatar. Diminutive but powerful, it has an impressive history. The capital of the nation, is small yet highly developed, liberal with stunning structures and also it's one of the greenest city in the...