Bienvenu!  Luxembourg is the smallest nation of the European Union and is centrally located in the "Heart of Europe" between France, Germany, and Belgium. Luxembourg enjoys a special central position in the workings of the European Union as well, as it is the location for many of the Union's institutions such as the European Court of Justice, the European Investment Bank, and the European Statistical Office.  Luxembourg is a member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, NATO, and the EU.

Although smaller than its geographic neighbors in terms of population and territory, Luxembourg boasts the highest standard of living and per capita income among all European Union countries.  Beyond regional comparisons, Luxembourg also achieves the highest GDP per capita in the world. 

Geographic Details

Located in Western Europe, bordered by France, Germany, and Belgium. 

Total area:  2,586 square kilometers (slightly smaller than Rhode Island, U.S.)

Climate:  modified continental with mild winters, cool summers 

Terrain:  The Ardennes are forested hills in the northern half of the country; the southern half contains the Moselle valley and vineyards as well as rolling farmlands and woods, with some mining districts in the extreme south. 

Natural resources:  iron ore 
 

Demographics

Population:  429,080 

Age structure: 
0-14 years:  18% (male 39,701; female 37,998) 
15-64:  67% (male 146,336; female 140,717) 
65 years and over:  15% (male 26,201; female 38,127) 

Literacy: 
age 15 and over who can read and write 
total population:  100% 
male:  100% 
female:  100% 

Labor Force:  226,500 (one third of labor force is foreign workers, mostly from Portugal, Italy, France, Belgium, and Germany) 

Labor force by occupation:  services 83.2%, industry 14.3%, agriculture 2.5% 

Ethnic Groups:  Celtic (with French and German), Portugese, Italian, and other European. 

Religions:  97% Roman Catholic, 3% Protestant and Jewish 

Languages:  Luxembourgian, German, French, English 

Government

Luxembourg is ruled by a constitutional monarchy which is a hereditary position.  The sixty members of Luxembourg's legislative branch (the Chamber of Deputies) are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms. 

Luxembourg achieved independence from the Netherlands in 1839 and adopted a constitution in 1868.  Luxembourg maintains strong financial and trade ties with Belgium and the Netherlands. 

Luxembourg has been the only EU member to fully comply with the convergence criteria necessary to join Europe's Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). 

Business

"Luxembourg has a thriving economy with four world-class business sectors:  private offshore banking, steel, satellite transmission, and television/radio broadcasting." 
 

Sources:  Department of State, Country Commercial Guide 
Source:  Frommer's Belguim, Holland & Luxembourg, 6th ed. (1999) 
CIA World Factbook