Luxembourg

Luxembourg, officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, is a landlocked country in Western Europe. It is bordered by Belgium to the west and north, Germany to the east, and France to the south and west. Its capital and largest city, Luxembourg City, is one of the four institutional seats of the European Union and hosts several EU institutions, including the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Luxembourg is Europe's seventh-smallest country. In 2026, it had a population of 692,402, making it one of the least-populated countries in Europe. Luxembourg is a representative democracy headed by a constitutional monarch, Grand Duke Guillaume V. It is the world's only remaining sovereign grand duchy.

Luxembourg is a developed country with an advanced economy and one of the world's highest PPP-adjusted GDPs per capita, according to the IMF and World Bank. The historic city of Luxembourg was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Luxembourg is a founding member of the European Union, OECD, the United Nations, NATO, and the Benelux.

History

Main article: History of Luxembourg

The history of Luxembourg starts over 35,000 years ago with early people from the Paleolithic Age. Celtic tribes lived between the Rhine and Meuse rivers from around 600 BC. The Romans named these tribes the Treveri and shared their culture in the area.

In 963, Luxembourg Castle was built, and the town of Luxembourg grew around it. Over time, the counts of Luxembourg became powerful and joined the Holy Roman Empire. By the 14th century, the House of Luxembourg ruled much of Central Europe.

Later, Luxembourg was ruled by different groups, including the Habsburgs and France. In the 19th century, Luxembourg became more independent, especially after it became its own grand duchy in 1890. In the 20th century, Luxembourg joined groups like the United Nations and the European Union, growing into an important place for money and knowledge.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Luxembourg

Luxembourg is a small country in Europe. It is about 2,586 square kilometres. It borders Germany, France, and Belgium. The north, called the Éislek, is hilly with fewer people. The south, called the Guttland, has more people and the capital city, Luxembourg City. The land has many shapes, from flat areas to forests and small hills.

Luxembourg has an oceanic climate with warm summers and cool winters. It gets a lot of rain, especially in late summer. The country values its nature and works to keep it safe by cutting down on pollution and growing more organic food.

Government and politics

Main article: Politics of Luxembourg

See also: Elections in Luxembourg and Law of Luxembourg

Luxembourg is a full democracy with a parliamentary democracy led by a constitutional monarch. The grand duke and a group of ministers, led by a Prime Minister, lead the country. The Constitution of Luxembourg, first made in 1868 and updated in 2023, is the country’s most important law.

The Chamber of Deputies, a group of sixty elected members, makes the laws. There is also a Council of State that helps with creating laws. Luxembourg has several courts, including a Superior Court of Justice, to make sure laws are followed.

Main articles: Cantons of Luxembourg and Communes of Luxembourg

Further information: Administrative divisions of Luxembourg

Luxembourg is divided into 12 cantons, which are split into 100 communes. Twelve of these communes are cities, with Luxembourg City being the largest.

Main article: Foreign relations of Luxembourg

Luxembourg strongly supports European unity and was a founding member of the European Union. It works closely with Belgium and the Netherlands in the Benelux Economic Union. Luxembourg hosts many important EU institutions, including the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Luxembourg’s army is small and based in Diekirch. The grand duke is the Commander-in-Chief, and a Minister for Defense oversees the army. Luxembourg works with NATO and the United Nations on peacekeeping and helping others.

Luxembourg is known for its strong civil rights laws. In 2015, it allowed same-sex couples to marry.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Luxembourg

Luxembourg has a strong economy with high incomes and low unemployment. It is known for low inflation and lots of new ideas. In 2011, Luxembourg was one of the richest countries. By 2023, it was the richest country for wealth per person.

The country has many types of work, such as steel, chemicals, and technology. Its financial sector is very important, with many banks and investment funds. Luxembourg is also a popular place for internet companies and high-tech businesses. The country’s economy benefits from being part of the European Union, which lets it trade freely with other member countries.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Luxembourg

The people of Luxembourg are called Luxembourgers. Many people in Luxembourg were born in other countries. In 2025, about half of the people living there were not from Luxembourg originally. The largest group of these newcomers is from Portugal. Many also come from France, Italy, Belgium, and Germany.

Luxembourg uses several languages. Luxembourgish is the national language and is spoken by many people at home. French and German are also important and used in schools, government, and business. Many people in Luxembourg can speak several languages, and French is especially common. English is also widely taught and spoken, especially in schools and business places. Because of the many people from Portugal living there, Portuguese is also spoken by many, especially within that community.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Luxembourg

See also: National symbols of Luxembourg

Luxembourg’s culture mixes traditions from Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. The country has many museums, such as the National Museum of History and Art and the Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art. Luxembourg City is a UNESCO World Heritage List site because of its old walls and forts.

Luxembourg has produced famous artists like painter Joseph Kutter and photographer Edward Steichen. The country loves music and has won the Eurovision Song Contest five times!

Media

The main languages used in Luxembourg’s media are French and German. The most popular newspaper is the German-language Luxemburger Wort. Luxembourg is known for its radio and television stations, such as Radio Luxembourg and RTL Group. The country won an Oscar in 2014 for the animated short film Mr Hublot.

Cuisine

Main article: Cuisine of Luxembourg

Luxembourg’s food comes from French and German traditions, with flavors from Italian and Portuguese foods.

Sports

Main article: Sport in Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, people enjoy many different sports. Over 100,000 people are part of sports clubs. The country’s biggest stadium is the Stade de Luxembourg, and the largest indoor arena is d'Coque, where many games and events happen.