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| 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 | ||||
| Table of contents |
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2 Politics 3 Districts 4 Geography 5 Economy 6 Demographics 7 Culture 8 Miscellaneous topics 9 External links |
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.
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.
Luxembourg is divided in to three administrative subdivisions, or districts:
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.
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.
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.
Virtually all Luxembourgers adhere to the Roman Catholic faith.
Countries acceding to membership on May 1, 2004:
History
Main article: History of LuxembourgPolitics
Main article: Politics of LuxembourgDistricts
Main article: Districts of LuxembourgGeography
Main article: Geography of LuxembourgEconomy
Main article: Economy of LuxembourgDemographics
Main article: Demographics of LuxembourgCulture
Main article: Culture of LuxembourgMiscellaneous topics
External links
Austria | Belgium | Denmark | Finland | France | Germany | Greece | Ireland
Italy | Luxembourg | Netherlands | Portugal | Spain | Sweden | United Kingdom
Cyprus | Czech Republic | Estonia | Hungary | Latvia | Lithuania | Malta | Poland | Slovakia | Slovenia