• Location and Climate
  Luxembourg is a small Western European country of 998 square miles [2586 square kilometers].  This is about one twelfth the size of neighboring Belgium.  Its capital is Luxembourg City which has a population of almost 80,000.  The population of the whole country is in the neighborhood or 450,000, of which only about 10% are rural. 
  
  Luxembourg is bordered by Belgium to the west and north, Germany to the east and France to the south.  The Ardennes region, in the north, has verdant forests and the highest elevation in Luxembourg.  Mullerthal, with it's sculpted features, is the fertile meadows of the Centre.  To the southwest are the rolling vineyards that border the River Moselle and the Land of the Red Earth with it's rugged scenery.  Many crops are raised in the Lorraine region in the south.  The country is 51 miles by 35 miles at its widest points.
  
  Luxembourg's average temperature is around 50 degrees F [10 degrees C].  The country enjoys about 32 inches [815 mm] of annual rainfall.
• Food and Drink
  The Luxembourgois have a diet of heavy foods that are well prepared and are served with beers and wines.  Popular dishes include Bouneschlupp [bean soup], Fritten, Ham an Zalot [fried potatoes, ham and salad], Judd mat Gaardebounen [smoked pork collar with broad beans], cheese such as cancoillotte and Quetschentaart [plum tart].  These are often times served with such side dishes as sausages and sauerkraut.  Should you be invited home for dinner, your host will expect you to ask for seconds.  Visit our Specialty Foods, Beers and Wines from Luxembourg page, with recipes and more interesting information.
• People, Religion and Language
  French and German are official languages, but the people generally use Lëtzebuergesch, a Germanic dialect, as their everyday language.  Luxembourg is a linguistic puzzle, due to the fact that several languages are spoken and written on the names of streets, shops, restaurants, etc.
  
  The country is almost entirely Roman Catholic [approximately 91%] and many of the main festivities are centered around the religious holidays such as Shrove Tuesday [Mardi Gras] in February, Easter, Ascension, Whit-Monday, Assumption [August 15], All Saints' Day [November 1], All Souls' Day [November 2] and Christmas.  Civil holidays include New Year's Day, Labor Day [May 1], National Day [the Grand Duke's birthday on June 23] and Fair Day which occurs in early September.

• History
  The area remained under Roman rule after the Romans conquered the area in the 1st century B.C.  It was taken over by the Franks in the 5th century, becoming part of Charlemagne’s empire. Passing through many hands, and ruled by many rulers, it passed to the Habsburgs in 1477 and then to Spanish rule in 1555.
  
  The city of Luxembourg fell to revolutionary French troops in 1795 when the duchy was annexed to France.  Given to the Netherlands in 1815 by the Congress of Vienna, it became part of Belgium by the Treaty of London in 1839.  German troops invaded and overran the Grande Duchy in both World Wars.
  
  The origins of the name of Luxembourg are intimately linked with one person, and with one place, according to Luxembourg City history.
  
  In the year 963, a Count by the name of Siegfried, a Carolingian by blood - and on his mother's side he was descended from Charlemagne, acquired from the St. Maximin Abbey in Trier a rocky promontory overhanging the valley of the River Alzette. According to the deed recording the transaction, a small stronghold called "Lucilinburhuc" was situated there at that time.  It was probably of Roman origin.  It was there that the name of Luxembourg first appeared in history.  The name would pass to the city which took shape all about, and then be handed on to the country which developed around that city.  Nowadays, the city and the country carry the same name.  Click here for more historical information regarding Luxembourg the medieval city, the fortress city, the Gibraltar of the North, dismantling of the fortress and then a European City.
  
  For information on famous landmarks in Luxembourg:
  Luxembourg Tourist Office [English]
  Office National du Tourisme du Luxembourg [Eng., Fr., Gr.]
• Economics
  There are vineyards along the Moselle River, while beets for animal fodder, wheat, oats, rye and potatoes are grown elsewhere.  Farming is a major industry in Luxembourg.  An hereditary duchy with steel, iron and banking industries having economic ties with the neighboring countries. 
  
  The Luxembourg franc, consisting of 100 centimes [LuxF], was the currency up to 2002 when it was superceded by the Euro.

• Government
  The government is a parliamentary democracy and voting is obligatory for everyone over 18 years old.
  
  Luxembourg City, the Capital of Luxembourg, is the largest city in Luxembourg.  Located in the south central region of the country, it is built on a high rock plateau overlooking the Alzette and Petrusse valleys.  It is also the home of the several European Union agencies and is an industrial and financial center.  It was originally a fourth-century Roman fortification and is surrounded by wonderful historical fortifications that have been classified as a world heritage by UNESCO.
   

• Ardennes
  • Ardennes with its hills, valleys and plateaus and their magnificent seasonal colors, along with a vast array of castles and fortifications and town directory.
     
• Good Land [Includes Luxembourg City]
  • Good Land with it's center Luxembourg City, and a listing of towns, and map with their locations, and  Luxembourg City
     
• Moselle
  • The famous vineyards along the Moselle River [a tributary of the Rhine] produces grand vintages, with many wine cellars and museums to visit, along with the famous thermales [spas] in Mondorf-les-Bains.
     
• Mullerthal [The Small Switzerland]
  • Mullerthal the Petite Suisse Luxembourgeoise has wonderfully different sandstone rock formations, verdant forests, cascading waterfalls.  It is situated along the river Sûre, along with the 7th century Benedictine Abbey, one of many  areas to be explored.  More on Mullerthal.
     
• Red Rocks [The Red Earth Region]
  • Red Rocks history was rich in mining iron, but now a thing of the past with abandoned quarries.  But hope springs eternal, and the city of Esch-sur-Alzette,  and the second largest city in Luxembourg,  has become a major business center for expositions.
     

Major Cities and Towns of Luxembourg

• Luxembourg City
  Luxembourg City, the capital of the Grand Duchy, is a thousand year old plus city that is rich in history and culture.  It is also called the 'Gibraltar of the North'.  Today it is a popular, cosmopolitan city that boasts a vast cultural history with an assortment of activities, monuments of the past, sporting events and all of the other attractions of a major European city.
   
• Mondorf-les-Bains
  Mondorf-les-Bains, the Spa City, is known for just that.  Health is your most important asset, and Mondorf is the watering place for health thermals all kinds including the Thermarium which has ancient Roman and Turkish Ottoman baths.  There are healing and therapeutic sources for rheumatism, respiratory, digestive tract, pathological obesity, lympho-venous damning up and more.
   
• Esch-sur-Alzette
  Esch-sur-Alzette, is rich in architecture [some famous architects that have worked in Esch are: Violet le Duc, Joseph Stubben, Gottfried Boh and Peter Rice], cultural events.  It is also a major business center.
   

• Useful Information
  • CIA World Factbook:  Luxembourg [Language: English] Outstanding source for demographical, governmental and economic information 
  • Luxembourg from Travel Notes, with travel information
     
• Go To Luxembourg
  • GoTo Luxembourg