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 most populous city, Luxembourg City, is one of the four institutional seats of the European Union and hosts several EU institutions, notably the Court of Justice of the European Union, the highest judicial authority in the EU.

With an area of 2,586 square kilometres, Luxembourg is Europe's seventh-smallest country. In 2026, it had a population of 692,402, which makes it one of the least-populated countries in Europe, albeit with the highest population growth rate; foreign nationals account for almost half the population. Luxembourg is a representative democracy headed by a constitutional monarch, Grand Duke Guillaume V, making it 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, per the IMF and World Bank. It also ranks highly in terms of life expectancy, human development, and human rights. The historic city of Luxembourg was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 due to the exceptional preservation of its vast fortifications and historic quarters. 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 begins over 35,000 years ago with early settlements from the Paleolithic Age. Celtic tribes lived in the area between the Rhine and Meuse rivers from around 600 BC. The Romans later named these tribes the Treveri and brought their culture and way of life to the region.

In the year 963, Luxembourg Castle was built, around which the town of Luxembourg grew. Over time, the counts of Luxembourg gained power and influence, eventually becoming part of the Holy Roman Empire. By the 14th century, the House of Luxembourg ruled much of Central Europe and played a key role in the empire’s affairs.

Later, Luxembourg was ruled by various powers, including the Habsburgs and France, and faced many changes in governance. In the 19th century, Luxembourg gained more independence, especially after becoming its own grand duchy in 1890. During the 20th century, Luxembourg joined international organizations like the United Nations and the European Union, becoming an important financial and knowledge-based economy.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Luxembourg

Luxembourg is one of the smallest countries in Europe, covering about 2,586 square kilometres. It shares borders with Germany to the east, France to the south, and Belgium to the north and west. The northern part of the country, called the Éislek, is hilly and less populated, while the southern part, called the Guttland, is more populated and includes Luxembourg City, the capital. The country features varied landscapes, from flat plateaus to forested valleys and low mountains.

Luxembourg has an oceanic climate with warm summers and cool winters, and it receives plenty of rain, especially in late summer. The country is known for its beautiful natural environment and aims to protect it by reducing emissions and expanding organic farming.

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 cabinet of ministers, led by a Prime Minister, run the country. The Constitution of Luxembourg, first adopted in 1868 and updated in 2023, is the country’s highest law.

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

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 have city status, 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 also 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 serves as Commander-in-Chief, while a Minister for Defense oversees operations. Luxembourg works with NATO and the United Nations on peacekeeping and humanitarian missions.

Luxembourg is known for its strong civil rights laws. In 2015, it allowed same-sex couples to marry. In 2026, Luxembourg became the second country to include abortion rights in its constitution, after France.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Luxembourg

Luxembourg has a strong and stable economy with high incomes, low unemployment, and steady growth. It is known for its low inflation and high levels of innovation. In 2011, Luxembourg was one of the richest countries in the world, and by 2023 it was ranked first in wealth per person.

The country has a mix of industries, including 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 allows free trade with other member countries.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Luxembourg

The people of Luxembourg are called Luxembourgers. Many people living in Luxembourg come from 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, with many also coming 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, with French being 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 is shaped by its neighbors, blending 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 itself 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 also loves music, having won the Eurovision Song Contest five times!

Media

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

Cuisine

Main article: Cuisine of Luxembourg

Luxembourg’s food comes from both French and German traditions, with extra flavors from Italian and Portuguese influences. The country sells the most alcohol in Europe per person, though much of it is bought by visitors from nearby countries.

Sports

Main article: Sport in Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, people enjoy many different sports rather than just one. 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 take place.