Figures and information on Luxembourg

General Information on Luxembourg & Quick Overview

Luxembourg was founded in 963, and in 1815 became a Grand Duchy and an independent state as part of the Netherlands.

It lost over 50% its territory to Belgium in 1839.

Independence from the Netherlands came in 1867.

Germany conquered Luxembourg in both World Wars, and in 1948 it entered into the Benelux Customs Union and when it joined NATO the following year.

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.

Geographical Statistics & Information on Luxembourg

Geographical Position: Western Europe, between France and Germany Map Ref Latitude & Longitude 49 degrees North, 6 degrees East Total Land & Sea Area Europe Total: 2,600 square kilometres Sea Area 0 square kilometres land area: 2,600 square kilometres Land boundaries: Total: 360 kilometres border countries: Belgium 150 kilometres, France 70 kilometres, Germany 140 kilometres

Climatological Conditions & information on Luxembourg

modified continental with mild winters, cool summers

Terrain Features

mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down to Moselle flood plain in the southeast Highest & Lowest Elevations: Lowest elevation: Moselle River 130 metres Highest elevation: Buurgplaatz 560 metres Country’s natural resources: iron ore (no longer exploited), arable land

Land use

ploughable land area: 30 percent other: 80 percent (includes Belgium) (1998 estimate) permanent crops: 0 percent Irrigated land area: 50 square kilometres (includes Belgium) (1998 estimate) Hazardous Natural phenomena: NA

Geographical Point of Interest

landlocked; the only Grand Duchy in the world

People-Information on Luxembourg

Population: 454,000 (July 2003 estimate) Age structure: under 15 years: 19 percent 15 to 64 years: 67 percent Over 65: 14 percent Median age of population: Total: 38 years male: 37 years female: 39 years (2002)

Population growth rate: 1.2 percent (2003 estimate) Birth rate: 12 births per thousand population (2003 estimate) mortality rate: 9 deaths per thousand population (2003 estimate) Net rate of migration: 9 migrant(s) per thousand population (2003 estimate) Infant mortality rate: Total: 5 deaths per thousand live births female: 5 deaths per thousand live births (2003 estimate) male: 5 deaths per thousand live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.5 years male: 74. years female: 81 years (2003 estimate) Total fertility rate: 1.5 children born/woman (2003 estimate)

Nationality

Luxembourger,

Ethnic groups

Celtic base (with French and German blend), Portuguese, Italian, Slavs (from Montenegro, Albania, and Kososvo) and European (guest and resident workers)

Religious information on Luxembourg

85 percent Roman Catholic, 10. percent Protestants, Jews, and Muslims (2000)

Languages & Linguistic Groupings

Luxembourgish (national language), German (administrative language), French (administrative language) Literacy: definition: People over the age of 15 years that are literate (can read & write): total population: 100 percent male: 100 percent female: 100 percent (2000 estimate)

Government information on Luxembourg

Country name: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital city: Luxembourg Independence: 1839 from the Netherlands National holiday: National Day (Birthday of Grand Duchess Charlotte) 23 June Constitution: 1868

Legal system: based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Electoral & Voting System

Universal vote from the age of 18.and compulsory

Executive branch: Head of State: Grand Duke
Chief of Government:Prime Minister
Cabinet: Council of Ministers chosen by the prime minister.

Legislative branch: Unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes

Economy information on Luxembourg

Economy - overview: This stable, high-income economy features solid growth, low inflation, and low unemployment. The industrial sector, initially dominated by steel, has become increasingly diversified to include chemicals, rubber, and other products.

Growth in the financial sector, which now accounts for about 22 percent of GDP, has more than compensated for the decline in steel. Most banks are foreign-owned and have extensive foreign dealings.

Agriculture is based on small family-owned farms. The economy depends on foreign and trans-border workers for more than 30 percent of its labour force.

Although Luxembourg, like all EU members, has suffered from the global economic slump, the country has maintained a fairly strong growth rate and enjoys an extraordinarily high standard of living.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

$USD22 billion (2002 estimate) Gross Domestic Product - actual growth rate: 0.5 (2002 estimate) Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - per head of population: $USD49,000 (2002 estimate) Gross Domestic Product - composition by sector: agriculture: 2 percent industry: 28 percent services: 70 percent (2000 estimate)

Rate of inflation: 2 percent (2002 estimate) Labour force: 262,000 Labour force - by occupation: services 90 percent, industry 7 percent, agriculture 3 percent (1999 estimate) Rate of unemployment: 4 percent (2002 estimate)

Budget information on Luxembourg

Incomes: $USD5 billion spending : $USD5 billion Industries: finance & banking, iron and steel, food processing, chemicals, metal products, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum

Agriculture - products: barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits, wine grapes; livestock products

Exports

$USD10 billion . (2002) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, steel products, chemicals, rubber products, glass Exports - partners: Germany 24 percent, France 20 percent, Belgium 10 percent, United Kingdom 9 percent, Italy 6 percent, Spain 4 percent, Netherlands 4 percent (2002)

Imports

$USD13billion . (2002) Imports - commodities: minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods Imports -most important trading partners: Belgium 29 percent, Germany 23 percent, France 13 percent, Taiwan 7 percent, Netherlands 4 percent (2002)

National Currency: euro (EUR) Currency Abbreviation: EUR

Communications information on Luxembourg

Telephones landlines: 315,000 (1999) Radio broadcast stations: Amplitude Modulation 3, Frequency Modulation 8, shortwave 3 (1999) Television broadcast stations: 6 (1999) Internet country code: .lu

Transportation in & travel to Luxembourg

Railroad networks: Total: 275 kilometres Roading System: Total: 5,200 kilometres Pipelines: gas 150 kilometres (2003) Airports & airfields: 1 (2002)

Military system of Luxembourg

Military branches: Army, Grand Ducal Police Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age (2003 estimate) Military spending : - $USD148 million (Fiscal Year01/02) Military spending : percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP): 1 percent (Fiscal Year 01/02)

International Issues Disputes - international: none

Now you’ve studied the information on Luxembourg – check out the historical information on French speaking countries

More information on Luxembourg, a French-speaking nation
History of French speaking countries | Flag of Luxembourg | Map of Luxembourg | Learn French in Luxembourg |

Information on Luxembourg
Source: All info sourced and adapted from CIA Factbook
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