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Luxembourg The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a small country in the north-west of continental Europe, bordered by France, Germany and Belgium. Grand-Duché de Luxembourg Capital Luxembourg Official languages French, German, Luxembourgish (de jure since 1984) Government Grand duchy Grand Duke Grand Duke Henri Independence 1868, constitution confirmed by breaking personal union with The Netherlands 1890 Area 2,586 km² (167th) Population 468,571 (162th) • 2005 census Currency Euro (€ EUR) Time zone CEST (UTC+2) • Summer (DST) CET (UTC+1) Internet TLD .lu Calling code +352 History The recorded history of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg begins with the construction of Luxembourg Castle in the year 963. Around this fort a town gradually developed, which became the center of a small but important state of great strategic value. In 1437 the ruling family had no rightful heirs to assume the throne. In the following centuries, Luxembourg's fortress was steadily enlarged and strengthened over the years by its successive occupants, the Bourbons, Habsburgs, Hohenzollerns and the French, among others. Even after the defeat of Napoleon in 1815, when the Congress of Vienna gave formal autonomy to Luxembourg, the country was disputed between Prussia and the Netherlands. Luxembourg's independence was confirmed in 1839, but it was not formally ratified until 1867. The king of the Netherlands remained head of state until 1890, when Luxembourg gained a grand duke of its own. William III left the Dutch throne to his daughter while Luxembourg (at that time restricted to male heirs passed to a distant cousin. The country was invaded and occupied by Germany during World War I and World War II. During World War II, Luxembourg abandoned its policy of neutrality, when it joined the Allies in fighting Germany. The government exiled to London set up a small group of volunteers, who participated in the Normandy invasion. It became a founding member of NATO and the United Nations. In 1957, 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. Several European agencies are located in Luxembourg. In 2005 a referendum on the EU treaty establishing a constitution for Europe was held in Luxembourg. Religion 94 percent of Luxembourg's population are Roman Catholic Christians. External links
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License (see Copyrights for details). About Wikipedia Disclaimers This information was correct in December 2005. E. & O.E. Sarolta and I visited Luxembourg in 1978 and we enjoyed the capital-city-country until an over zealous Police man spoilt it. We were waiting at a light to cross, the lights had 'some time off' and didn't seem to change for a long time,when there was hardly any traffic. A few people crossed, but the cop stopped us and when I tried to explain to him the obvious, he didn't like my accent and told me something to the effect, that "Luxembourg don't want any foreign law breakers". I don't think anybody, except a few totalrian states consider crossing a street against the lights - jay-walking - although most places against the law - a major crime wave. Here I think, we should consider how much tourist contribute to any local economy. Also, if he had to say something it could been put better. My family and I travelled around Europe since many times, - as you can check out on my pages - giving Luxembourg a wide 'berth' since. It happenned a long time ago, but I can still remember it, even a hazy picture of the cop. I hope he managed to 'get off his high horse' and grew up. I hope in time he became more 'racially' tolerant over the years. This pages are my 'travel blog' and I thought it was worth to recall some of my experiences, good or bad. You can click on
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