Facts Chief

Written by Facts Chief

Modified & Updated: 27 May 2022

Jessica Corbett

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

luxembourg-facts
  1. Official Name: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
  2. Government: Constitutional monarchy with democratic parliament
  3. Population: 549,680
  4. Capital: Luxembourg City
  5. Language: French, German, Luxembourgish
  6. Currency: Euro
  7. GDP: $113,113 per Capita
  8. Religion: Roman Catholic
  9. Internet Domain: .lu
  1. Government: Luxembourg Is the world’s only grand duchy
  2. Size: Luxembourg Covers an Area of 1,607 Square Miles
  3. Geography: Luxembourg Is landlocked in Europe
  4. Language: Luxembourg recognizes 3 official languages
  5. GDP: Luxembourg has the world’s highest GDP per capita
  6. Politics: Luxembourg was a founding member of the EU
  7. Religion: Luxembourg Is a secular state with a Christian majority
  8. History: Luxembourg Was home to 3 Holy Roman Emperors
  1. Luxembourg motto: We Want to Remain What We Are
  2. Luxembourg Is 75% Smaller Than It Was in 1659
  3. Luxembourg City Is a World Heritage site
  4. The European Court of Justice Is in Luxembourg
  5. The Grand Duke and Duchess have 4 princes and a princess
Table of Contents

Luxembourg Is The World’s Only Grand Duchy

Luxembourg is currently the world’s only grand duchy. A grand duchy is a monarchy where a Grand Duke or Grand Duchess rules the land. Luxembourg facts indicate that in addition to the grand duchy, which is a constitutional monarchy, Luxembourg has a democratic parliament.

Luxembourg Covers an Area of 1,607 Square Miles

Luxembourg Map
Luxembourg Map

This country is one of the world’s smallest. Luxembourg covers an area of approximately 1,607 square miles. Luxembourg is a quarter of the size it used to be, thanks to war and political partitioning in the 17th and 19th centuries. It is only slightly larger than Rhode Island, the United States’ smallest state.

Luxembourg Is Landlocked in Europe

Luxembourg is bordered by Belgium, Germany and France. This leaves Luxembourg landlocked in Europe, though its geography has always proved desirable. Luxembourg is a member of the European Union and uses the Euro as its currency.

Luxembourg Recognizes 3 Official Languages

Luxembourg facts show that Luxembourgers have a choice of three official languages. Luxembourgish is not only an official language, but is also the national language and is the most commonly spoken between Luxembourgers. Luxembourgish is a Germanic language with a strong French influence and is also spoken in the border areas of Belgium, Germany and France. French and German are also considered official languages of the small country. Most written language in Luxembourg is in French or German.

Luxembourg Has The World’s Highest GDP per Capita

GDP Per Capita at PPS, 2010
GDP Per Capita at PPS, 2010

Luxembourg facts indicate this small European country has the world’s highest GDP (according to the International Monetary Fund) per capita. GDP per capita is the gross domestic product divided by the midyear population of the country. Luxembourg’s estimated 2015 GDP per capita is $113,113. In comparison, the International Monetary Fund lists the United States as having the 9th largest GDP at $53,0001.

Luxembourg Was a Founding Member of the EU

Luxembourg was an original member of the Inner Six which founded the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1958. The other Inner Six countries were Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands. Luxembourg facts tells us the EEC, along with the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), was a precursor to the European Union. The ECSC was founded in 1951, with Luxembourg as a founding member.

Luxembourg Is a Secular State with a Christian Majority

Most Luxembourgers are Roman Catholic
Most Luxembourgers are Roman Catholic

While Luxembourg has no state sponsored religion, it does have official religions in which it assists with clerical appointments and costs. The religions that currently have this relationship with the government include Judaism, Roman Catholicism, and Islam among others. The Luxembourg government does not collect data on religious affiliation; however other organizations outside of the country have attempted to ascertain the percentages of religious denominations. In 2000, the CIA Factbook approximated that 87% of Luxembourgers are Roman Catholic.

Luxembourg Was Home to 3 Holy Roman Emperors

The House of Luxembourg, seated in Luxembourg City, ruled as Holy Roman Emperors on three separate occasions in the 14th and 15th centuries. Henry VIII, Charles IV, and Sigismund, all of the House of Luxembourg, were elected Holy Roman Emperors in 1312, 1355, and 1433. Sigismund died without a male heir, ending the reign of of the House of Luxembourg.

Luxembourg Motto: We Want To Remain What We Are

Luxembourg national motto is we want to remain what we are. This motto came from an 1859 song marking the construction of the first international rail road in the country. The song mentions Luxembourg’s neighbors France, Belgium, and Germany, inviting them to visit while also declaring that the Luxembourgers wish to remain Luxembourgers. Luxembourg facts indicate the song may refer to previous incursions and loss of land in the 17th and 19th centuries.

Luxembourg Is 75% Smaller Than It Was in 1659

Luxembourg Partitions Map
Luxembourg Partitions Map

At various points in history, each of its three neighbors has tried to annex Luxembourg in its entirety. Though these attempts were unsuccessful, Luxembourg’s size was reduced in three peace treaties.

In 1659, the Treaty of the Pyrenees granted France 409 square miles of Luxembourg’s original 6,648 square miles. This was a result of the Franco-Spanish War, in which Luxembourg sided with Spain.

The second partition occurred in 1815. After having been annexed by France in 1795, Luxembourg was granted independence in 1814 by the Treaty of Paris after Napoleon was defeated. The following year, 880 square miles were given to Germany as a result of the war. They are currently held by both Germany and Belgium.

According to Luxembourg facts, the 1839 Treaty of London was the largest loss of land for Luxembourg. The 1,827 square miles were given to Belgium after Belgium took over most of Luxembourg.

Luxembourg City Is a World Heritage Site

Luxembourg City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fortifications and old quarters of the city show the rich history of conquest in the European city. Initially, the city was a small fortress. It was built up and fortified with each successive takeover. Because of its strategic location and numerous takeovers, Luxembourg became one of the largest European fortresses.

The European Court of Justice Is in Luxembourg

The highest court that deals with European Union law is located in Luxembourg City. All of the judicial processes related to the European Union are handled in Luxembourg, including the Court of First Instance and Civil Service Tribunal.

The Grand Duke and Duchess Have 4 Princes and a Princess

Luxembourg facts show that while the monarchical head of the Luxembourg government is called a Grand Duke or a Grand Duchess, the children of the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess are called princes and princesses. Currently, Henri Albert Gabriel Félix Marie Guillaume is Grand Duke of Luxembourg. His wife, the Grand Duchess, is María Teresa Mestre y Batista. The royal couple have five children: Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Prince Félix, Prince Louis, Princess Alexandra, and Prince Sébastien. Guillaume is called the Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg because he is expected to become the Grand Duke upon his father’s death.

Luxembourg Facts – Facts about Luxembourg Summary

Luxembourg FactsLuxembourg facts tell us that Luxembourg is the only grand duchy in the world. This small, landlocked country was the home of three Holy Roman Emperors, and its capital, Luxembourg City, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to Luxembourg facts, Grand Duke Henri currently leads the country with his wife, Grand Duchess María.

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