At a Glance

Official Name: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Continent: Europe

Area: 998 square miles (2,586 sq km)

Population: 442,972

Capital City: Luxembourg

Largest City: Luxembourg (76,446)

Unit of Money: Luxembourg franc

Major Languages: Luxembourgian (official), French, German, English

Literacy: 99%

Land Use: 24% arable, 1% permanent crops, 20% meadows, 21% forest, 34% other

Natural Resources: Iron ore

Government: Constitutional monarchy

Defense: 114 million

The Place

Luxembourg is a small landlocked country in western Europe. It is bordered by France to the south, Belgium to the west, and Germany to the east.

The country is divided into two main land areas. The northern third of Luxembourg is called the Osling. It consists of the Ardennes Mountains that extend from southern Belgium. This plateau averages about 1,500 feet (450 m) in elevation and has dense forests.

The rest of the country is called the Bon Pays or Gutland. This translates in to "good land" in French and German respectively. This region has a lower elevation of about 800 feet (243 m). The Alzette Rivers flows northward through the center of the Bon Pays. The Our, Sûre, and Moselle rivers make up Luxembourg's border with Germany. The fertile river valleys have rich pastures. The slopes of the Moselle River are also covered with vineyards. The Mullerthal is a giant beech tree forest in the eastern-central region.

The People

Almost 90% of Luxembourgers live in urban areas. The majority reside in the south, which is more developed and industrialized than the north. The country's population density averages 403 people per square mile (164 people per sq km). The busiest area is in the south center around the capital city. Other urban dwellers live in smaller towns. Because of the heavy concentration of people in the southwest, the government has tried to relocate some industries to rural areas to balance the population. In the rural north, people live in small villages. Their houses are traditionally made of stone.

Approximately 37% of the Luxembourg population is foreignborn. The most common ethnic groups include Portuguese, Italians, and French. The country has a very low birthrate, and the native-born population cannot keep up with the available jobs. Most people are employed in trade, government, and industry. Life expectancy is 78 years.