Luxembourg: Difference between revisions
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Luxembourg does not exist and is in fact a Urban myth unlike the fact that you can't electrocute an ant. |
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{{this|the country in western Europe}} |
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{{Infobox Country |
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|native_name =''Groussherzogtum Lëtzebuerg'' {{lb icon}}<br/>''Grand-Duché de Luxembourg'' {{fr icon}}<br/>''Großherzogtum Luxemburg'' {{de icon}} |
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- |
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|conventional_long_name = Grand Duchy of Luxembourg |
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|conventional_long_name = Grand Duchy of Luxembourg |
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|common_name = Luxembourg |
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|image_flag = Flag_of_Luxembourg.svg |
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|image_coat = Coat of arms Grand Duchy of Luxembourg large.png |
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|national_motto = ''"[[Mir wëlle bleiwe wat mir sinn]]"''{{spaces|2}}<small>([[Luxembourgish language|Luxembourgish]])<br/>"We want to remain what we are"</small> |
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|national_anthem = ''[[Ons Hémécht]]''<small><br/>"Our Homeland"</small> |
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|royal_anthem = ''[[De Wilhelmus]]'' {{smallsup|1}} |
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|image_map = Location Luxembourg EU Europe.png |
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|capital = [[Luxembourg (city)|Luxembourg]] |
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|latd=49 |latm=36 |latNS=N |longd=6 |longm=7 |longEW=E |
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|largest_city = capital |
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|official_languages = [[French language|French]], [[German language|German]], [[Luxembourgish language|Luxembourgish]]<br/>(''[[de jure]]'' since 1984) |
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|demonym = [[Luxembourgers]] |
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|government_type = [[Parliamentary system|Parliamentary democracy]] and [[Constitutional monarchy|Constitutional]] [[grand duchy]] |
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|leader_title1 = [[Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg|Grand Duke]] |
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|leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of Luxembourg|Prime minister]] |
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|leader_name1 = [[Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg|Grand Duke Henri]] <small>([[List of Grand Dukes of Luxembourg|List]])</small> |
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|leader_name2 = [[Jean-Claude Juncker]] <small>([[List of Prime Ministers of Luxembourg|List]])</small> |
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|sovereignty_type = History |
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|established_event1 = [[Treaty of Paris (1815)|Independence]] |
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|established_event2 = [[Treaty of London (1839)|1st Treaty of London]] |
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|established_event3 = [[Treaty of London (1867)|2nd Treaty of London]] |
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|established_event4 = End of [[personal union]] |
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|established_date1 = [[9 June]] [[1815]] |
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|established_date2 = [[19 April]] [[1839]] |
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|established_date3 = [[11 May]] [[1867]] |
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|established_date4 = [[23 November]] [[1890]] |
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|accessionEUdate = [[March 25]] [[1957]] |
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|area_km2 = 2,586.4 |
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|area_sq_mi = 999 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> |
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|area_magnitude = 1 E9 |
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|area_rank = 175th |
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|percent_water = negligible |
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|population_estimate = 480,222 |
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|population_estimate_year = 2007 |
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|population_census = 439,539 |
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|population_census_year = 2001 |
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|population_estimate_rank = 171st |
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|population_density_km2 = 171 |
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|population_density_sq_mi = 469 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> |
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|population_density_rank = 59th |
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|GDP_PPP_year = 2006 |
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|GDP_PPP = $32.6 billion |
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|GDP_PPP_rank = 97th |
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|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $81,511(2006) |
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|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 1st |
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|GDP_nominal = $40.577 billion |
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|GDP_nominal_rank = 65th |
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|GDP_nominal_year = 2006 |
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|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $87,995 |
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|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 1st |
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|HDI = {{decrease}} 0.945 |
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|HDI_year = 2004 |
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|HDI_rank = 12th |
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|HDI_category = <font color="#009900">high</font> |
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|currency = [[Euro]] ([[Euro sign|€]]){{smallsup|2}} |
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|currency_code = EUR |
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|country_code = LUX |
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|time_zone = [[Central European Time|CET]] |
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|utc_offset = +1 |
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|time_zone_DST = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]] |
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|utc_offset_DST = +2 |
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|cctld = [[.lu]]{{smallsup|3}} |
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|calling_code = 352 |
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|footnote1 = Not the same as the ''[[Het Wilhelmus]]'' of the Netherlands. |
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|footnote2 = Prior to 1999: [[Luxembourgian franc]]. |
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|footnote3 = The [[.eu]] domain is also used, as it is shared with other [[European Union]] member states. |
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}} |
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The '''Grand Duchy of Luxembourg''' ({{lang-lb|Groussherzogtum Lëtzebuerg}}, {{lang-fr|Grand-Duché de Luxembourg}}, {{lang-de|Großherzogtum Luxemburg}}), also spelled '''Luxemburg''', is a small [[landlocked]] country in [[western Europe]], bordered by [[Belgium]], [[France]], and [[Germany]]. Luxembourg has a population of under half a million people in an area of approximately 2,586 [[square kilometre]]s (999 [[square mile|sq mi]]).<ref>http://www.luxembourg.co.uk/nutshell.html</ref> |
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Luxembourg is a [[parliamentary]] [[representative democracy]] with a [[constitutional monarchy]], ruled by a [[Grand Duke]]. It is the world's only remaining sovereign [[Grand Duchy]]. The country has a highly developed economy, with the highest [[List of countries by GDP (nominal) per capita|Gross Domestic Product per capita]] in the world. Its historic and strategic importance dates back to its founding as a [[Roman Empire|Roman era]] [[fortress]] site and [[Kingdom of the Franks|Frankish]] [[County|count's]] [[castle]] site in the [[Early Middle Ages]]. It was an important bastion along the [[Spanish road]] when Spain was the principal [[international power|European power]] influencing the whole western hemisphere and beyond in the 14th–17th centuries making the polity an important place. |
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Luxembourg is a founding member of the [[European Union]], [[NATO]], the [[United Nations]], [[Benelux]], and the [[Western European Union]], reflecting the political consensus in favour of [[economic integration|economic]], political, and military integration. The city of [[Luxembourg (city)|Luxembourg]], the [[capital]] and largest city, is the seat of several institutions and agencies of the European Union. |
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Luxembourg lies on the cultural divide between [[Romance language|Romance]] Europe and [[Germanic languages|Germanic]] Europe, borrowing customs from each of the distinct traditions. Luxembourg is a [[trilingual]] country; [[French language|French]], [[German language|German]], and [[Luxembourgish language|Luxembourgish]] are [[official languages]]. Although a [[secular state]], Luxembourg is predominantly [[Roman Catholic]]. |
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==History== |
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{{About||the pre-Roman history of the region|Celtic Luxembourg}} |
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The recorded history of Luxembourg begins with the acquisition of Lucilinburhuc<ref>Kreins (2003), p. 20</ref> (today [[Luxembourg Castle]]) by [[Siegfried of Luxembourg|Siegfried, Count of Ardennes]] in 963. Around this [[Fortifications|fort]], a [[town]] gradually developed, which became the centre of a small state of great strategic value. In 1437, the [[House of Luxembourg]] suffered a succession crisis, precipitated by the lack of a male heir to assume the throne, that led to the territory being sold to [[Philip the Good]] of [[Duchy of Burgundy|Burgundy]].<ref>Kreins (2003), p. 39</ref> In the following centuries, Luxembourg's fortress was steadily enlarged and strengthened by its successive occupants, the [[Bourbons]], [[Habsburg]]s, [[Hohenzollern]]s, and the [[France|French]], among others. After the [[Treaty of Paris (1815)|defeat]] of [[Napoleon]] in 1815, Luxembourg was disputed between [[Kingdom of Prussia|Prussia]] and the [[United Kingdom of the Netherlands|Netherlands]].<ref>Kreins (2003), p. 70</ref> The [[Congress of Vienna]] formed Luxembourg as a [[Grand Duchy]] in personal union with the Netherlands. Luxembourg also became a member of the [[German Confederation]], with a Confederate fortress manned by Prussian troops.<ref>Kreins (2003), p. 70</ref> |
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[[Image:LuxembourgPartitionsMap english.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The three [[Partitions of Luxembourg]] have greatly reduced Luxembourg's territory.]] |
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The [[Belgian Revolution]] of 1830–1839 reduced Luxembourg's territory by more than half, as the predominantly [[francophone]] [[Luxembourg (Belgium)|western part of the country]] was transferred to [[Belgium]].<ref>Kreins (2003), p. 74</ref> Luxembourg's independence was reaffirmed by the 1839 [[Treaty of London, 1839|First Treaty of London]]. In the same year, Luxembourg joined the [[Zollverein]].<ref>Kreins (2003), p. 76</ref> Luxembourg's independence and neutrality were again affirmed by the 1867 [[Treaty of London, 1867|Second Treaty of London]], after the [[Luxembourg Crisis]] nearly led to war between Prussia and France.<ref>Kreins (2003), pp. 80–81</ref> After the latter conflict, the Confederate fortress was dismantled.<ref>Kreins (2003), p. 81</ref> |
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The [[King of the Netherlands]] remained [[Head of State]] as [[Grand Duke of Luxembourg]], maintaining [[personal union]] between the two countries until 1890. At the death of [[William III of the Netherlands|William III]], the Dutch throne passed to his daughter [[Wilhelmina of the Netherlands|Wilhelmina]], while Luxembourg (at that time restricted to male heirs by the [[Nassau Family Pact]]) passed to [[Adolphe, Grand Duke of Luxembourg|Adolph of Nassau-Weilburg]].<ref>Kreins (2003), p. 84</ref> |
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Luxembourg was [[German occupation of Luxembourg in World War I|invaded and occupied by Germany]] during the [[World War I|First World War]], but was allowed to maintain its independence and political mechanisms. It was again invaded and subject to [[German occupation of Luxembourg in World War II|German occupation]] in the [[World War II|Second World War]] in 1940, and was formally annexed into the [[Third Reich]] in 1942. |
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During [[World War II]], Luxembourg abandoned its policy of [[Neutral country|neutrality]], when it joined the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]] in fighting Germany. Its government, [[government in exile|exiled]] to [[London]], set up a small group of volunteers who participated in the [[Battle of Normandy|Normandy invasion]]. It became a founding member of the [[United Nations]] in 1946, and of [[NATO]] in 1949. In 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six founding countries of the [[European Community|European Economic Community]] (later the [[European Union]]), and, in 1999, it joined the [[euro]] currency area. In 2005, a [[Referendum on EU treaty in Luxembourg|referendum on the EU treaty establishing a constitution for Europe]] was held in Luxembourg.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1061873.stm Timeline: Luxembourg - A chronology of key events] BBC News Online, [[9 September]] [[2006]]. Retrieved [[8 October]] [[2006]]. </ref> |
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==Government and politics== |
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[[Image:Grand Ducal Palace, Luxembourg 1.jpg|right|thumb|The [[Grand Ducal Palace, Luxembourg|Grand Ducal Palace]], the [[official residence]] of the [[Grand Duke of Luxembourg]], situated in [[Luxembourg City]], the country's [[capital]].]] |
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{{main|Politics of Luxembourg}} |
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Luxembourg is a parliamentary democracy headed by a constitutional monarch. Under the constitution of 1868, executive power is exercised by the [[Governor]] and the [[cabinet]], which consists of several other ministers. The Governor has the power to dissolve the [[legislature]] and reinstate a new one, as long as the Governor has judicial approval. However, since 1919, sovereignty has resided with the [[Supreme Court]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legilux.public.lu/leg/textescoordonnes/recueils/constitution_droits_de_lhomme/CONST1.pdf |title=Constitution of Luxembourg |accessdate=2006-07-23 |date=2005 |format=PDF |publisher=Service central de législation}}</ref> |
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Legislative power is vested in the [[Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg|Chamber of Deputies]], a [[unicameral]] legislature of sixty members, who are directly elected to five-year terms from four [[Legislative circonscriptions (Luxembourg)|constituencies]]. A second body, the [[Council of State of Luxembourg|Council of State]] (''Conseil d'État''), composed of twenty-one ordinary citizens appointed by the Grand Duke, advises the Chamber of Deputies in the drafting of legislation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ce.etat.lu/structure.htm |title=Structure of the Conseil d'Etat |accessdate=2006-07-23 |publisher=Conseil d'Etat}}</ref> |
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The Grand Duchy has three lower tribunals (''justices de paix''; in [[Esch-sur-Alzette]], the city of [[Luxembourg (city)|Luxembourg]], and [[Diekirch]]), two district tribunals (Luxembourg and Diekirch) and a Superior Court of Justice (Luxembourg), which includes the Court of Appeal and the Court of Cassation. There is also an Administrative Tribunal and an Administrative Court, as well as a Constitutional Court, all of which are located in the capital. |
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==Military== |
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{{main|Military of Luxembourg}} |
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Luxembourg's contribution to its defence and to NATO consists of a small [[army]] (currently consisting of around 800 people). As a landlocked country, it has no [[navy]], and it has no [[air force]], except for the fact that the eighteen NATO [[Airborne Warning And Control System|AWACS]] airplanes were registered as aircraft of Luxembourg for convenience.<ref name="Aeroflight">{{cite web |url=http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/lux/luxaf1.htm |title=Luxembourg |accessdate=2006-07-23 |date=[[8 September]] [[2005]] |publisher=Aeroflight.co.uk}}</ref> In a joint agreement with [[Belgium]], both countries have put forth funding for one [[Airbus A400M|A400M]] military cargo plane, now currently on order. Luxembourg still jointly maintains three NATO [[Boeing 707]] model TCAs for cargo and training purposes based in [[NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen]].<ref name="Aeroflight"/> |
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==Districts, cantons, and communes== |
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{{main|Districts of Luxembourg|Cantons of Luxembourg|Communes of Luxembourg}} |
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{{see|Administrative divisions of Luxembourg}} |
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Luxembourg is divided into 3 [[Districts of Luxembourg|districts]], which are further divided into 12 [[Cantons of Luxembourg|cantons]] and then 116 [[communes]]. Twelve of the communes have [[List of cities in Luxembourg|city status]], of which the city of [[Luxembourg (city)|Luxembourg]] is the largest. |
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===Districts=== |
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The following districts are |
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1. [[Luxembourg (district)|Luxembourg]] |
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2. [[Diekirch (district)|Diekirch]] |
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3. [[Grevenmacher (district)|Grevenmacher]] |
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==Geography and climate== |
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[[Image:Luxembourg-CIA WFB Map.png|thumb|upright|The largest towns are [[Luxembourg (city)|Luxembourg]], [[Esch-sur-Alzette]], [[Dudelange]], and [[Differdange]].]] |
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[[Image:Luxembourg City climate.PNG|thumb|Luxembourg's climate is characterised by mild temperatures and high precipitation.]] |
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{{main|Geography of Luxembourg}} |
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Luxembourg is one of the smallest countries in [[Europe]], and ranked [[List of countries by area|175th]] in size of all the 194 independent countries of the world; the country is about 2,586 square kilometres (998 [[square mile|sq mi]]) in size, and measures 82 km (51 miles) long and 57 km (35 miles) wide. To the east, Luxembourg borders the [[Germany|German]] ''[[States of Germany|Bundesländer]]'' of [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] and [[Saarland]], and, to the south, it borders the [[France|French]] ''[[Région in France|région]]'' of [[Lorraine (region)|Lorraine]]. The Grand Duchy borders the [[Belgium|Belgian]] [[Wallonia|Walloon Region]], in particular the latter's [[Provinces of regions in Belgium|provinces]] of [[Luxembourg (Belgium)|Luxembourg]] and [[Liège (province)|Liège]] to the west and to the north respectively. |
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The northern third of the country is known as the '[[Oesling]]', and forms part of the [[Ardennes]]. It is dominated by hills and low mountains, including the [[Kneiff]], which is the highest point, at 560 [[metre]]s (1,837 [[foot (unit of length)|ft]]). The region is sparsely populated, with only one town ([[Wiltz]]) with a population of more than four thousand people. |
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The southern two-thirds of the country is called the "[[Gutland (Luxembourg)|Gutland]]", and is more densely populated than the Oesling. It is also more diverse, and can be divided into five geographic sub-regions. The [[Luxembourg plateau]], in south-central Luxembourg, is a large, flat, [[sandstone]] formation, and the site of the city of Luxembourg. [[Little Switzerland (Luxembourg)|Little Switzerland]], in the east of Luxembourg, has craggy terrain and thick forests. The [[Moselle valley]] is the lowest-lying region, running along the south-eastern border. The [[Red Lands]], in the far south and southwest, are Luxembourg's industrial heartland and home to many of Luxembourg's largest towns. |
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The border between Luxembourg and Germany is formed by three [[river]]s: the [[Moselle River|Moselle]], the [[Sauer]], and the [[Our River|Our]]. Other major rivers are the [[Alzette]], the [[Attert River|Attert]], the [[Clerve]], and the [[Wiltz River|Wiltz]]. The [[valley]]s of the mid-Sauer and Attert form the border between the [[Gutland]] and the [[Oesling]]. |
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Luxembourg has a [[marine west coast climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: Cfb), marked by high [[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]], particularly in late summer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stadtklima.de/webklima/CITIES/Europe/Lx/luxembourg/luxembourg.htm |title=Luxembourg |accessdate=2007-04-19 |date= |publisher=Stadtklima (Urban Climate)}}</ref> |
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==Demographics== |
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{{main|Demographics of Luxembourg}} |
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===Ethnicity=== |
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The people of Luxembourg are called [[Luxembourger]]s.<ref>http://www.eu2005.lu/en/savoir_lux/societe_tradition/lux_type/index.php</ref> The native population has a [[Celts|Celtic]] base with a [[French people|French]] and [[Germanic peoples|Germanic]] blend.<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/lu.html CIA World Factbook: Luxembourg] Retrieved [[14 October]] 2007. </ref> The indigenous population was augmented by immigrants from [[Belgium]], [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Italy]], and [[Portugal]] throughout the twentieth century, with the majority coming from [[Portugal]]. Since the beginning of the [[Yugoslav wars]], Luxembourg has seen many immigrants from [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[Montenegro]], and [[Serbia]]. Annually, over 10,000 new immigrants arrive in Luxembourg, mostly from [[European Union|EU]] states, as well as Eastern Europe. As of 2000, there were 162,000 [[immigrant]]s in Luxembourg, accounting for 37% of the total population. There are an estimated 5,000 illegal immigrants in Luxembourg.<ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.compas.ox.ac.uk/publications/papers/Country%20Case%20Luxembourg.pdf |title=The Regularisation of Unauthorised Migrants: Literature Survey and Country Case Studies - Regularisation programmes in Luxembourg |accessdate=2006-09-02 |format=PDF |author=Amanda Levinson |publisher=Centre on Migration, Policy and Society, University of Oxford}}</ref> |
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===Language=== |
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{{main|Languages of Luxembourg}} |
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Three languages are recognized as official in Luxembourg: [[French language|French]], [[German language|German]], and [[Luxembourgish language|Luxembourgish]], a [[Franconian languages|Franconian]] language of the [[Moselle valley|Moselle]] region very similar to the local [[German language|German]] dialect spoken in the neighboring part of Germany, except that it includes more borrowings from French. Apart from being one of the three official languages, Luxembourgish is also considered the [[national language]] of the Grand Duchy; it is the mother tongue or "language of the heart" for nearly all Luxembourgers. |
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Each of the three languages is used as the primary language in certain spheres. Luxembourgish is the language that Luxembourgers generally speak to each other, but it is not much written. Most official (written) business is carried out in French. German is usually the first language taught in school and is the language of much of the [[Mass media|media]] and of the [[church]].<ref>{{fr icon}} {{cite web |url=http://www.eu2005.lu/fr/savoir_lux/lux_publications/a_propos_langues/a_propos_langues.pdf |title=À propos des langues |accessdate=2006-08-01 |format=PDF |pages=pp.3-4 |publisher=Service Information et Presse}}</ref> |
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Luxembourg's education system is trilingual: the first years of primary school are in Luxembourgish, before changing to German, while secondary school, the language of instruction changes to French. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unavarra.es/tel2l/eng/luxembourg.htm |title=The Trilingual Education system in Luxembourg |accessdate=2007-06-09 |date= |publisher=Tel2l - Teacher Education by Learning through two languages, University of Navarra}}</ref> However, as proficiency in all three languages is required for graduation from secondary school, half the students leave school without a certified qualification, with the children of immigrants being particularly disadvantaged.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.migrationinformation.org/Profiles/display.cfm?ID=587 |title=Immigration in Luxembourg: New Challenges for an Old Country|accessdate=2007-06-09 |date= |publisher=Migration Information Source}}</ref> |
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In addition to the three official languages, [[English language|English]] is taught in the compulsory schooling (mostly from the eighth grade, i.e. at the age between 12 to 14 years) and much of the population of Luxembourg can speak some simple English, at any rate in Luxembourg City. [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] and [[Italian language|Italian]], the languages of the two largest [[immigrant]] communities, are also spoken by large parts of the population, but by relatively few from outside their respective communities. |
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===Religion=== |
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{{main|Religion in Luxembourg}} |
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Luxembourg is a [[secular state]], but the state recognises certain religions as officially-mandated religions. This gives the state a hand in religious administration and appointment of clergy, in exchange for which the state pays certain running costs and wages. Currently, religions covered by such arrangements are Roman Catholicism, Judaism, Greek and Russian Orthodoxy and Protestantism. |
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Since 1979 it has been illegal for the government to collect statistics on religious beliefs or practices.<ref>{{fr icon}} {{cite web |url=http://www.legilux.public.lu/leg/a/archives/1979/0291104/0291104.pdf#page=2 |title=Mémorial A, 1979, No. 29 |accessdate=2006-08-01 |format=PDF |publisher=Service central de législation}}</ref> It is estimated by the CIA Factbook that 87% of Luxembourgers are [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholics]], the remaining 13% being made up of [[Protestantism|Protestants]], [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox Christians]], [[Judaism|Jews]], [[Islam|Muslims]] and those of other or [[irreligion|no religion]].<ref name="CIA World Factbook">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/lu.html |title=World Factbook - Luxembourg |accessdate=2007-01-13 |date=19 December 2006 |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency}}</ref> |
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According to the most recent [[Eurobarometer|Eurobarometer Poll]] 2005,<ref name=EUROBAROMETER>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_225_report_en.pdf|title=Eurobarometer on Social Values, Science and technology 2005 - page 11|accessdate=2007-05-05}}</ref> 44% of Luxembourg citizens responded that "they believe there is a [[God]]", whereas 28% answered that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force" and 22% that "they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, god, or life force". |
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==Economy== |
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{{main|Economy of Luxembourg}} |
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Luxembourg's stable, high-income [[Economic system|economy]] features moderate [[economic growth|growth]], low [[inflation]], and low [[unemployment]]. The industrial sector, which was dominated until the 1960s by [[steel]], has 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]] and other [[financial export]]s, account for the majority of economic output. [[Agriculture]] is based on small, family-owned farms. Luxembourg has especially close trade and financial ties to [[Belgium]] and [[the Netherlands]] (see ''[[Benelux]]''), and as a member of the [[European Union|EU]] it enjoys the advantages of the open European [[market]]. Luxembourg possesses the highest [[List of countries by GDP (nominal) per capita|GDP per capita]] in the world ([[US$]]87,995 as of 2006),<!--This figure is the (PPP) GDP per capita, calculated by dividing the CIA nominal figure by the CIA population--><ref name="CIA World Factbook"/> the eighteenth highest [[Human Development Index]], and the fourth highest [[quality of life]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.economist.com/media/pdf/QUALITY_OF_LIFE.pdf |title=World Life Quality Index 2005 |accessdate=2006-07-23 |date=2005 |format=PDF |publisher=Economist Intelligence Unit}}</ref> As of March 2006, unemployment is 4.8% of the labour force.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=STAT/06/55&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en |title=Euro-zone unemployment down to 8.1% |accessdate=2006-07-23 |date=3 May 2006 |publisher=Eurostat}}</ref> For the fiscal year of 2005 and 2006, Luxembourg has run a budget deficit for the first time in many years, mostly because of slower international economic growth.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oecd.org/document/49/0,2340,en_2649_201185_37022129_1_1_1_1,00.html |title=Economic Survey of Luxembourg 2006 |accessdate=2006-07-23 |date=2006 |publisher=OECD}}</ref> |
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[[Image:Notredame_lux.jpg|thumb|Notre Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg]] |
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[[Image:Lux_pet.JPG|thumb|Luxembourg Spuerkeess]] |
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[[Image:Lux_arc.jpg|thumb|Architecture in Luxembourg]] |
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==Culture== |
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{{main|Culture of Luxembourg}} |
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Luxembourg has been overshadowed by the culture of its neighbours, although, having been for much of its history a profoundly rural country, it retains a number of folk traditions. There are several notable museums, mostly located in the capital; these include the [[National Museum of History and Art]] (MNHA), the [[History Museum of the City of Luxembourg]], and the new [[Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art]] (Mudam). The [[National Museum of Military History (Luxembourg)|National Museum of Military History (MNHM)]] in Diekirch is especially known for its representations of the [[Battle of the Bulge]]. The city of Luxembourg itself is on the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage List]], on account of the historical importance of its fortifications. |
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The country has produced some internationally known artists, including the painters [[Joseph Kutter]] and [[Michel Majerus]], as well as the photographer [[Edward Steichen]]. Steichen's ''[[The Family of Man]]'' exhibition is now permanently housed in [[Clervaux]], and it has been placed on [[UNESCO]]'s [[Memory of the World Programme|Memory of the World]] register. |
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Luxembourg is the first city to be named [[European Capital of Culture]] for the second time. The first time was in 1995. In 2007, the European Capital of Culture will be a cross-border area consisting of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Rheinland-Pfalz and Saarland in Germany, the Walloon Region and the German-speaking part of Belgium, and the Lorraine area in France. The event will promote mobility and the exchange of ideas, crossing borders in all areas, physical, psychological, artistic and emotional. |
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===Media=== |
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For many people in other parts of Europe, Luxembourg is best known for its radio and television stations, [[Radio Luxembourg]] and the [[RTL Group]],<!-- no cryptic acronyms please! ---> Europe's largest TV, radio and production company. |
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==See also== |
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* [[Foreign relations of Luxembourg]] |
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* [[Radio Luxembourg]] |
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* [[Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg]] |
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* [[Communications in Luxembourg]] |
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* [[Military of Luxembourg]] |
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* [[Transportation in Luxembourg]] |
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* [[Luxembourg Boy Scouts Association]] |
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<br> |
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{{Luxembourg-related topics}} |
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==References== |
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{{articleissues |
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|Citations missing= July 2007 |
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|expand = July 2007 |
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}} |
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* {{fr icon}} {{cite book | first=Jean-Marie | last=Kreins | year=2003 | title=Histoire du Luxembourg | edition=3rd edition | publisher=Presses Universitaires de France | location=Paris | id= ISBN 978-21-3053-852-3 }} |
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* {{cite book | last=Thewes | first=Guy | title=Les gouvernements du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg depuis 1848 | url=http://www.gouvernement.lu/publications/download/gouvernements_1848_2.pdf | format=PDF | accessdate=2007-07-10 | edition=Édition limitée | date= | year=2003 | month=July | publisher=Service Information et Presse | location=Luxembourg City | language=French | id=ISBN 2-87999-118-8 }} |
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* https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/lu.html |
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===Footnotes=== |
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{{reflist|2}} |
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==External links== |
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{{sisterlinks|Luxembourg}} |
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* [http://www.gksoft.com/govt/en/lu.html Governments on the WWW: Luxembourg] |
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* [http://eudocs.lib.byu.edu/index.php/History_of_Luxembourg:_Primary_Documents History of Luxembourg: Primary Documents] |
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* [http://www.gouvernement.lu/ Official Governmental Site] |
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* [http://www.luxembourg.lu/ Official Website for Luxembourg] |
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* [http://www.ont.lu/ Luxembourg National Tourist Office] |
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* [http://www.luxembourg.co.uk/ Luxembourg Tourist Office - London] |
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* [http://www.luxembourg-city-tourism.com/ Luxembourg City Tourist Guide] |
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* [http://rumbletum.org/Europe/Luxembourg Luxembourg Geography] |
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* [http://www.aluxembourgattraction.com A Luxembourg Attraction] |
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* [http://luxembourg2007.org/ Luxembourg European Capital of Culture 2007] |
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* [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/lu.html World Factbook: Information on Luxembourg] |
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* [http://www.socher.org/gallery2/v/Luxembourg/ Over 200 images of important sights in Luxembourg] |
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* [http://www.lubavitch.lu Chabad Lubavitch of Luxembourg] |
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Revision as of 00:05, 30 December 2007
Luxembourg does not exist and is in fact a Urban myth unlike the fact that you can't electrocute an ant.