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Luxembourg

Facts & Figures

Map of Luxembourg

Ruler: Grand Duke Henri (2000)

Prime Minister: Jean-Claude Juncker (1995)

Total area: 998 sq mi (2,585 sq km)

Population (2009 est.): 491,775 (growth rate: 1.1%); birth rate: 11.7/1000; infant mortality rate: 4.5/1000; life expectancy: 79.3; density per sq km: 187

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Luxembourg, 78,800

Monetary unit: Euro (formerly Luxembourg franc)

More Facts & Figures

Geography

Luxembourg is about half the size of Delaware. The Ardennes Mountains extend from Belgium into the northern section of Luxembourg. The rolling plateau of the fertile Bon Pays is in the south.

Government

Constitutional monarchy.

History

Luxembourg, once part of Charlemagne's empire, became an independent state in 963, when Siegfried, count of Ardennes, became sovereign of Lucilinburhuc (“Little Fortress”). In 1060, Conrad, a descendant of Siegfried, took the title count of Luxembourg. From the 15th to the 18th century, Spain, France, and Austria held the duchy in turn. The Congress of Vienna in 1815 made it a grand duchy and gave it to William I, king of the Netherlands. In 1839, the Treaty of London ceded the western part of Luxembourg to Belgium. The eastern part, continuing in personal union with the Netherlands and a member of the German Confederation, became autonomous in 1848 and a neutral territory by decision of the London Conference of 1867, governed by its grand duke. Germany occupied the duchy in World Wars I and II. Allied troops liberated the enclave in 1944.

Luxembourg joined NATO in 1949, the Benelux Economic Union (with Belgium and the Netherlands) in 1948, and the European Economic Community (later the EU) in 1957. In 1961, Prince Jean, son and heir of Grand Duchess Charlotte, was made head of state, acting for his mother. She abdicated in 1964, and Prince Jean became grand duke. Luxembourg's parliament approved the Maastricht Accord, paving the way for the economic unity of the EU in July 1992. Crown Prince Henri was sworn in as grand duke in Oct. 2000, replacing his father, Jean, who had been head of state for 26 years.

See also Encyclopedia: Luxembourg .
U.S. State Dept. Country Notes: Luxembourg
National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies .