|
Country
Identification |
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg |
|
Language(s)
|
Luxembourgish (national language), German and French (administrative
languages) |
|
Religion(s)
|
87 % Roman catholic, 13% Protestants, Jews and Muslims |
|
Political System
|
Constitutional Monarchy
Chief of State: Grand Duke Henri of the House of Nassau-Weilburg |
|
Currency |
Euro |
|
Geographical Information |
Capital: Luxembourg
Total area: 2,586 sq km
Three districts
Border countries: Belgium, France, Germany
Mostly soft uplands with nice valleys, slightly mountainous in the
north, plain in the south east. Large forests.
Continental climate but with mild winters and not very warm summers |
|
Typical Food and drinks |
Beer of Diekirch. Famous spirits and liquors. Nice Moselle wines.
Sausages, smoked ham, sauerkraut, cakes |
|
Holidays and Festivals |
23rd of June (National Day)
Christmas, New Year and different Roman Catholics Days |
|
History
|
Founded in 963 by Sigefroi of Lorraine it was first a county , a part
of the Holy Empire. It was ruled by the Netherlands up to 1444, then Spain
up to 1555 and Austria up to 1714. In 1794 Luxembourg was occupied by the
French army. At the Congress of Vienna in 1815 it was given to the
Netherlands. With the revolution in 1830 the former duchy of Luxembourg
was divided in two parts, one being a part of Belgium and the other one
building the new Duchy still under the government of the Netherlands. When
King Wilhelm II died in 1890, the actual branch of the Family of Nassau
took over the power and has been ruling the Grand Duchy since then.
During the two World Wars Luxembourg was occupied by Germany.
In Mai 1947 the Grand Duchy, Belgium and the Netherlands built the
Benelux, an economical union.
Luxembourg is member of the EU since 1957 and partner of the NATO since
1954. |
|
Art and culture |
Arts: Jean-Pierre
Beckius, Nico Klopp, Jean-Luc Koltz (painters)
Kutter, the conductor Hofmann
Literature: Jean Sorrente, guy Wagner, Josy Braun, Roger
Manderscheid,
Fotograph Edward Steichen |
|
Dos and donīts for visiting the country |
You should try to arrive on time.
Be correct and well dressed.
Donīt expect too much flexibility in timing and social relationship. |
|
Population and
% of foreign population /minorities |
Celtic base with French and German influences.
about 442.000 citizens
276.600 native Luxembourgers (about 59 % of the whole population - -
441.200),
67.000 Portuguese, 25.000 French, 21.000 Italians, 17.000 Belgians,
11.000 Germans,
other minorities but not in a high number of people. Very few Muslims |
|
Main Integration Problems
|
Nearly none. Most of the foreigners come from EU countries and do not
have religious problems or serious cultural differences |
