Duchy of Luxembourg population. Luxembourg map. Luxembourg city map. Where is Luxembourg located on the world map. Cuisine and restaurants

Officially, the country is called the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, which according to the state system is a constitutional monarchy headed by a duke. The government is governed by the prime minister.

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Geographic features

Luxembourg is a state located on the territory of Western Europe (between 49 ° 45 ′ north latitude and 6 ° 10 ′ east longitude), with a total area of \u200b\u200babout 2.6 thousand km² and a population of about 473 thousand people. The capital has the same name - Luxembourg. Countries bordering the state: Germany - from the east, Belgium - from the west and north, France - from the south. The state from the east is bordered by the Moselle River. Luxembourg is a member of the European Union and the Benelux Economic Union.

The climate is temperate continental, characterized by a rather cool summer and mild winter season with an average monthly temperature in July - 18 ° С, in January - 2 ° С.

Features of the relief

Luxembourg is located on an elevated, hilly plain. In the relief area, the northern and southern regions can be distinguished. In the north, there are the Ardennes spurs, the highest point of which is the Burgplatz mountain with a height of 559 m. The soil here is characterized by low fertility due to the presence of shale and quartz rocks. The southern part is characterized by a wavy cuesta relief, which is a rise of ridges and ledges with asymmetric slopes, which gradually decrease to the east. The loamy soils here are fertile enough to cultivate cultural landscapes.

Luxembourg city map.

Luxembourg - a state in Western Europe. In the north and west it borders with Belgium, in the east - with Germany and in the south - with France.

The name comes from the High German lucilinburch - "small town".

Official name: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Capital: Luxembourg

The area of \u200b\u200bthe land: 2 586 thousand sq. km

Total population: 480 K people

Administrative division: 3 districts, which, in turn, are divided into cantons, and those into communes.

Form of government: A constitutional monarchy.

Head of State: Grand Duke of Luxembourg.

Population composition: 30% are Luxembourgers, 36.9% are Portuguese, 13.5% are Italians, 11.2% are French, 8.9% are Belgians and 6.8% are Germans.

Official language: luxembourgish (a dialect of German with elements of French), French and German.

Religion: 90% are Catholics, there are Protestants.

Internet domain: .lu, .eu

Mains voltage: ~ 230 V, 50 Hz

Country dialing code: +352

Country barcode: 540 - 549

Climate

In terms of climatic features, Luxembourg is similar to the Netherlands and Belgium. Summers are warm, the average July temperature is 17 ° C. In winter, positive temperatures prevail, but in the foothills of the Ardennes there are sometimes frosts - up to –15 ° C. The city of Luxembourg receives an average of 760 mm of precipitation per year, partly in the form of snow. In the north of the country, the average annual precipitation increases to 850-900 mm, snowfalls are more frequent. In the valleys of the Moselle and the lower reaches of the Syur, hail often falls.

Geography

The country is located in Western Europe, between 6 ° 10 "east longitude and 49 ° 45" north latitude. It borders in the east with Germany (138 km), in the south - with France (73 km) and in the west with Belgium (148 km). In the east, the country is bordered by the Moselle River. The relief is mainly a hilly, elevated plain, in the north of which the Ardennes spurs rise (the highest point is Burgplatz, 559 m.). The total area of \u200b\u200bthe country is about 2.6 thousand square meters. km. The capital is also called Luxembourg, as is the neighboring province of Belgium, which covers a larger area than the Duchy of Luxembourg.

The territory of Luxembourg can be divided into 2 parts - northern (Esling) with the Ardennes spurs and southern (Gutland - "good land"). The southern half of Luxembourg is a continuation of the Lorraine plateau and is characterized by an undulating cuesta relief. Here the relief is represented by a system of ridges and ledges gradually decreasing to the east. Cultural landscapes prevail. In the north of the country, in Esling, occupied by the foothills of the Ardennes, there is a highly dissected relief with heights of up to 400-500 m.

The highest point is Mount Burgplatz (559 m). The soils in the north are composed of quartz and shale rocks, which are of low fertility. In the south, there are fertile loamy soils.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

More than 1/3 of Luxembourg's territory is occupied by oak and beech forests. They are concentrated in Esling and the northern part of Gutland. Larch and spruce appear on the upper slopes of the Ardennes. In some places there are heathers and peat bogs. In Luxembourg, such thermophilic plants as walnuts, apricots, holly, boxwood, dogwood, and barberry are cultivated in gardens and parks.

Animal world

The fauna is very poor. On arable land you can see hares, and in the forest thickets - individual individuals of roe deer, chamois and wild boars. Many squirrels live here. Among birds, there are wood pigs, jays and buzzards, as well as pheasants. Sparrowhawk became a rare guest. Grouse and capercaillie live in dense forest thickets. Trout is found in the rivers and streams of the Esling.

sights

The first mention of Luxembourg dates back to 963, at that time it was known as "Luklinburhuk", which in the local dialect means "small castle". A person who first came to this tiny country is struck by the variety of landscapes that fit in such a small area, as well as the originality of the traditions and way of life of local residents.

From the strongest fortress in Europe, Luxembourg, built by the French marshal Vauban and destroyed in 1868, many buildings have survived to this day - separate walls with loopholes, some of the fortress gates (for example, the original Three Doves gate, Treve gate and etc.), long passages and casemates in the depths of the rock, the Three Acorns towers along the edges of the rocky platform above the cliff and the citadel of the Holy Spirit. Next to the square, on the site of ancient fortifications, a park is laid out, which on the other side ends with a cliff, from which a wonderful view of the old suburb of Bock and the ruins of the castle opens.

Interesting is the garden of the Spanish governor Ernst Mansfeld (end of the 16th century), the labyrinth of old houses of the National Museum of History and Art, the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1751), Notre Dame Cathedral (Our Lady, 1613-1621), famous for its majestic sculptures and the tomb of the Grand Dukes, as well as the tomb of the King of Bohemia and Count of Luxembourg John the Blind. It is worth visiting the Refugium of the Abbey of St. Maximin in Trier (1751), the former Jesuit college (1603-1735, now the National Library is located here), the Town Hall building (1830-1838), the Church of Saint-Michel (built in the 10th century and rebuilt in the 16th century), the St. Quirin's chapel (14th century), the Church of St. John on the Stone (17th century), the Bastion of the Holy Spirit, the Casino (1882) and many other monuments of history and culture.

One of the places of pilgrimage for tourists is the former underground defensive systems of the Bocque and La Petrus casemates, in which 35 thousand people took refuge during the Second World War. The ruins of the first count's fortress lie on the cliff above the Bock casemates. During the tourist season, the main bridges and buildings, as well as all ancient fortifications, are skillfully illuminated.

Royal Boulevard and the Ring of Parks, densely built up with dozens of buildings of banks, offices and shopping centers, surround the ancient city center in a semicircle. Two pedestrian streets depart from Gamilius Square - Post Street and Monterey Avenue. Nearby lies Arm Square - once a meeting place for young Luxembourgers (now there is a pedestrian zone and dozens of restaurants and bistros), which was "replaced" in this role by Hamilius Square.

Also interesting here are the Waldbilig Chapel, a small passage on Wilhelm II Square, the City Hall, the National Monument of Solidarity with the Eternal Flame, etc. You can see the old quarters of Hron (Stadgro), Dinselpyurt, Klosen, Pfafandahl and others, or visit the old Benedictine monastery of Münster with a church St. John the Baptist, the building of the Palace of European Justice in the Kirchberg district, the Central Archives of the Grand Duchy in the old arsenal building, as well as the Fish Market Square and see many old houses of the local bourgeoisie, most of which are made in a very original architectural style.

Banks and currency

Since January 2002, the official currency of Luxembourg is the euro. 1 euro is equal to 100 cents. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, as well as coins of 1 and 2 euros and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.

Banks are open on weekdays from 9:00 to 16:00 with a lunch break from 12:00 to 14:00. On weekends, banks are open until 12:00. Most exchange offices are open throughout the week.

Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks and currency exchange offices located at banks, railway stations, hotels and at the airport. In banks, the exchange rate is more favorable.

Credit cards and traveler's checks are accepted everywhere. In some shops, credit cards are only accepted for purchases over € 100.

Useful information for tourists

Luxembourgers give the impression of being reserved and overly reserved (most of the locals live in small families and prefer their own homes), although this is not entirely true. In dealing with visitors, the inhabitants of the country are extremely polite and correct, they also easily come to the aid of a tourist in any difficult situation.

Luxembourg has virtually no "nightlife" tradition and the entertainment industry is mainly aimed at foreigners.

In spring, Shepherds Day is widely celebrated in the country with a colorful procession and carnival. Luxembourg is famous for its Moselle wines. Flower exhibitions are held annually.

You can freely move around the country, but you should carefully monitor the observance of the rights of private properties - crossing the latter, and even more so settling on a private territory for the night, fishing or collecting plants is possible only with the permission of the owner or tenant. Otherwise, the police have the right to apply any measures of influence, up to and including detention and expulsion from the country.

Tipping in most establishments is 10%, in a taxi the amount is rounded up.

LUXEMBOURG (capital) LUXEMBOURG (capital)

LUXEMBURG (French Luxembourg, German Luxemburg; ancient Lucilinburch, Lutzelburg), capital of the state of Luxembourg (cm. LUXEMBOURG (state)) in the valley of the Alzet river. Population 79.8 thousand people (2004). Luxembourg is the second capital of the European Union (cm. EUROPEAN UNION)... Here are the offices of the European Investment Bank, the Supreme European Court, the administrative offices of the EU.
International Monetary and Financial Center and Trans-European Transport Hub. International Airport. Metallurgy and mechanical engineering, chemical, clothing, food industry. School of Arts and Crafts. National Library. National Museum of History and Art, Pescator Museum (rich collection of Flemish and Dutch painting of the 17th-19th centuries).
Historical sketch
Luxembourg is one of the oldest settlements and fortifications in Europe. There are two versions of the origin of the name "Luxembourg". The most recognized version is that the name of the Lucilinburch fortress is of Germanic origin and translates as “small castle” or “small fortress”. The second version connects this name with the name of the leader of the Romans who seized the Celtic fortress - Lucius (or Lucilius). Later, the name of the fortress was transformed into Lutzemburg, Lutzelburg, and Letzeburg. The modern name of the country and its capital is French in form and was legalized only in 1815.
Once this strategic crossroads of Europe was occupied by the Romans. Under Emperor Gallienus (cm. GALLIEN) (253-268) a fortress was built on the site of Luxembourg. It is also known that in 738 Lucilinburh was donated by Karl Martell (cm. CARL MARTELL) Abbey of Trier (cm. TRIR).
In 963 Siegfried, one of the descendants of Charlemagne (cm. CARL the Great), erected on the steep cliffs rising above the Alzet River, a fortress that became the core of the medieval city and the ancestral nest of the Luxembourgish counts. In 1244, the settlement received city rights. New bastions were being built to the fortress, the city grew, despite the constant enemy raids.
Marshal Vauban (cm. VOBAN Sebastian)who took the city in 1684, made it one of the strongest fortresses in Europe, known as the "Northern Gibraltar (cm. GIBRALTAR)". By decision of the London Conference of 1867, the fortifications of Luxembourg were razed to the ground. This place is now the estate of the 19th century. "Villa Vauban".
Architecture, layout, sights
The upper (old) city within the boundaries of the old fortress walls with towers is bounded from the south and west by the valleys of the Petrus and Alzet rivers, and from the north and east - by the city park. Among the numerous bridges are the Adolphe railway bridge (1900, height 46 m, length 211 m), repeating the proportions of Roman aqueducts, and the Old Viaduct (1859).
Among the main attractions of the Upper City are the Saint-Cyrene rock chapel (6th and 15th centuries) and the Renaissance Palace of Justice (16th century). The baroque cathedral of Notre Dame (17th century) is decorated with rich choirs, saturated with Moorish stylistic elements. In the southern part of the temple, rebuilt in the 1930s, there is a particularly revered image of the Mother of God - the Comforter of the mourners, the patroness of the city. This image is the object of pilgrimage. The entrance to the crypt-tomb of the Great Dukes is guarded by two bronze lions.
The building of the former Jesuit Collegium, a Renaissance palace with three wings, now houses the National Library. The powerful stone building (1751) of the old Refugium of the Trier Abbey of St. Maximinus today serves as the seat of the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In Place Clairefontaine, there is a statue of Grand Duchess Charlotte in front of him, and an equestrian statue of William II (cm. WILHELM II Frederick) rises in the center of the square of the same name, nicknamed "Knudeler" (which means the knotted belt of Franciscan monks, whose abbey was located on this place until the 19th century). In the southern part of the square, there is the city hall - the classicist town hall (1830). A small fountain, decorated with a statue of a fox, commemorates the Luxembourgish poet Michel Rodange.
Parade Square is the center of the city's social life and a venue for cultural events.
The Palace of the Grand Dukes (1572) is still the official residence of the monarchs. The left Renaissance wing of the palace is the former town hall (1563). The façade with Moorish-Spanish arabesques stands out in particular.
The historical core of the city is the area of \u200b\u200bthe former Fish Market. The Gothic Church of Saint-Michel (16th century) was built on the site of the palace chapel, built in 987 by order of Count Siegfried. On the rock Bock (Le Bock - "goat") in the 10th century. the fortress of Lucilinburgus was erected (not preserved), in the undergrounds of which in the 18th century. under Empress Maria Theresa (cm. MARIA THERESIA) Casemates Bock were arranged. Ancient catacombs served as a refuge for Luxembourgers during World War II (cm. THE SECOND WORLD WAR)... The ruins of bastions and watchtowers rise above the remains of an ancient fortress.
The suburbs of Grund and Pfaffental are the Lower Town, which is a well-preserved architectural ensemble of the 14th century. with old houses, sandwiched in a narrow mountain valley. In the suburbs of Bereldange, Walferdange, Strassen there are rose plantations. The area of \u200b\u200bLimpertsberg, which once had extensive rose plantations, is now within the city limits.

encyclopedic Dictionary. 2009 .

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Luxembourg (capital) - Luxembourg. View of the Upper Town. LUXEMBOURG, the capital of the state of Luxembourg. 75 thousand inhabitants. Trans-European Transport Hub; international Airport. International Financial Center. Metallurgy and metalworking, light and ... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

Luxembourg (Luxembourg, Luxemburg), capital of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The main economic center of the country, the junction of the trans-European railways and road communications. Located at the confluence of the Alzet and Petrus rivers, at an altitude of 334 m. Climate ... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

Luxembourg, capital - (Luxembour) Luxembour, capital of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, on the Alzet and Petruss rivers; 75,620 inhabitants (1991). Location of the Court of Justice of the European Union and the Secretariat of the European Parliament. Commercial, cultural and industrial center ... Countries of the world. Dictionary

1) Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, state in the Center. Europe. It is named after the capital city of Luxembourg. In 1792 1815. the duchy was part of France as a dep. Fore (French Foret forest). The name is associated with the significant forest cover of the country, ... ... Geographical encyclopedia

LUXEMBOURG, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (French Grand Duche de Luxembourg, German Grossherzogtum Luxemburg), a state in Western Europe, between the Moselle (see MOSEL) and the Meuse (see MAAS). In the north and west, Luxembourg borders with Belgium ... encyclopedic Dictionary

LUXEMBOURG - the capital of the state of Luxembourg. This old medieval town sits on a rocky peninsula between two rivers and is surrounded by residential and industrial areas. The population of the capital is 75,000 inhabitants. The city emerged as a fortress on the site of the remains ... ... Cities and countries

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National flag of Luxembourg.

Luxembourg (Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, French Grand-Duche de Luxembourg) is a state in Western Europe, located between the Moselle and the Meuse. In the north and west, Luxembourg borders with Belgium (the neighboring province of Belgium is also called Luxembourg), in the east - with Germany, in the south - with France. Territory area - 2586 sq. km. The population of the state is 480 thousand people. Indigenous Luxembourgers make up three quarters of the country's inhabitants. The rest are Germans, Belgians, Italians, Portuguese, French. Most of the believers are Catholics.

Luxembourg. Upper town.

The official languages \u200b\u200bin the country are French, German and Luxembourgish (one of the Rhine dialects of German); Luxembourgish was only adopted as official in 1985. Luxembourgish is spoken on the streets and at home, French is more commonly spoken in government offices, and German is the language of the business community and the press. English is spoken in the capital, but hardly spoken in the countryside. The country is divided into three administrative districts (Luxembourg, Diekirch and Grevenmacher), 12 cantons, 118 urban and rural communes. The capital is Luxembourg. Other large cities of the country are Esch-sur-Alzette, Differdange, Dudelange; tourist centers - Echternach and Mondorf-les-Bains.

Luxembourg is a constitutional monarchy. The current constitution entered into force on October 17, 1868 and was repeatedly amended and supplemented. The head of state is the Grand Duke of the Nassau dynasty. Since 1964, the country was headed by the Grand Duke Jean (born January 5, 1921). In September 2000, he abdicated power in favor of his son Prince Henry (born April 16, 1955). The highest legislative body is a unicameral parliament (chamber of deputies). The head of government is the state minister.

Natural conditions

The southern part of the country's territory is a continuation of the Lorraine plateau and is a hilly medium-altitude area with a pronounced system of ridges and ledges gradually lowering to the east, in the north - the spurs of the Ardennes (height up to 565 m) and the Rhine Slate Mountains. In the north of the country, in Esling, occupied by the foothills of the Ardennes, there is a highly dissected relief with heights of up to 400-500 m. The highest point is Mount Burgplatz (559 m). The rivers belong to the Moselle basin. The largest river in Luxembourg - the Sur (Sauer) - originates in Belgium and flows eastward, then after confluence with the Ur to the southeast and south, and flows into the Moselle. The Alzette, a southern tributary of the Syure, flows through the capital city of Luxembourg and the industrial cities of Esch-sur-Alzette, Mersch and Ettelbrück. Trout is found in the rivers and streams of the Esling.

In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when Luxembourg was part of France, it was called the Foret department (“Forestry Department”). Until now, about a third of Luxembourg's territory is covered with forests (on the plains deciduous - oak and beech, in the mountains - conifers). They are concentrated in Esling and the northern part of Gutland. Larch and spruce appear on the upper slopes of the Ardennes. In some places there are heathers and peat bogs.

Orchards and vineyards grow in river valleys. In the gardens and parks of Luxembourg, thermophilic plants such as walnuts, apricots, holly, boxwood, dogwood, and barberry are cultivated. In terms of climatic features, Luxembourg is similar to the Netherlands and Belgium. The climate is temperate, transitional from maritime to continental. Winters are mild (average January temperatures +1 ° C), cool summers (average July temperatures +17 ° C). Precipitation is over 700 mm per year. In the foothills of the Ardennes, snow often falls in winter, sometimes there are frosts down to –15 ° С. The sunniest months are May, June, July and August; however, it is also sunny in the first half of September.

Natural attractions

The southern, most part of Luxembourg (68% of the territory, 87% of the population) - Gutland ("good land") - is a hilly, medium-altitude area, cultivated by the economic activities of people. Small fields, gardens, meadows and pastures, small forests and thickets of shrubs - all this constantly alternates with each other, creating an extraordinary diversity of the landscape.

The area to the east of the city of Echternach, along the White and Black Erenz rivers, called "Luxembourgish Switzerland", stands out as a peculiar corner of the country. Here, on the border of Triassic limestones and Jurassic sandstones, bizarre peaked peaks and deep gorges with steep walls have formed, stone pillars are piled above the gorges, further strengthening the idea of \u200b\u200bheight and depth.

In the extreme south of Goutland, on the border with France, lies the Mondorf resort, famous for its mineral waters, as well as the Mondor-les-Bains balneological resort (in the Moselle valley). On the plateau near the town of Uzeldange there is a "Luxembourg sailing circle", where from the beginning of May to the end of October, those wishing to practice hang gliding can undergo "air baptism". In Luxembourg there are several nature reserves, in the Ardennes is the German-Luxembourg Forest Park ("Deutsch-Luxemburgischer") - a natural national park, part of which is located in Germany.

Economy

Luxembourg is a highly developed industrial country, one of the most prosperous countries in Europe. The structure of GDP is dominated by the service sector, finance and trade. These industries employ about 50% of the economically active population. Until the mid-1990s, the leading industry was ferrous metallurgy, which developed from rich iron ore deposits (belonging to the vast Lorraine basin) near the southern border of Luxembourg. In 1997, iron ore mining ceased and the last blast furnace was extinguished. The steel industry has long played a major role in the country's economy. The main steel concern ARBED, founded in 1911, was the largest industrial enterprise in the country. Later, steel production was reoriented to use scrap metal as raw materials and smelting in electric furnaces. Almost all of the energy consumed in Luxembourg is imported, including oil, natural gas, coal.

The chemical, leather, cement, earthenware (glass, porcelain), woodworking, sewing (including weaving), and food industry are also developing; creation of telecommunication networks and production of audio and video equipment. Luxembourg is a major international financial and tourism center. In the 20th century. Luxembourg has become one of the world's largest banking centers. More than 200 of the world's largest banks operate in the country. Since 1929, the government has encouraged the registration of large multinational companies in the country - these associations have branches all over the world, but are very heavily taxed in their "home" countries. The liberal tax climate and the almost complete absence of taxation of offshore operations attract numerous foreign capital to the country.

With a high industrial development, the country continues to engage in traditional sectors of agriculture - meat and dairy farming, gardening, viticulture. The vineyards along the Moselle are especially famous for their excellent wine. The country is part of the Benelux Economic Union and the European Union (EU). On January 1, 2002, Luxembourg's monetary unit, the Luxembourg franc, was replaced by the euro.

History

Luxembourg more than once fell under the rule of German, French, Austrian, Dutch and Spanish rulers. After the fall of the Roman Empire, this territory was conquered by the Franks in the 5th century, and later became part of the vast empire of Charlemagne. In 963-987. one of Charles's descendants, Siegfried, erected a fortress on the steep cliffs rising above the Alzet River and made it the center of his possessions along the Moselle and in the Ardennes mountains. And in the 11th century. Conrad, who assumed the title of Count of Luxembourg, became the founder of the dynasty. The male line of this genus was cut short in 1136. Luxembourg passed along the female line to the Count of Namur, and then to the Count of Limburg.

The founder of the Luxembourg-Limburg dynasty was Henry I the Blond (1247-1281), whose son Henry II fell in the battle of Woringen, which separated Limburg from Luxembourg, transferring it to the rule of the Dukes of Brabant. In 1308, the son of Henry II, Henry III of Luxembourg, was elected emperor of the Holy Roman Empire under the name of Henry VII, and founded the Luxembourg dynasty, to which later the emperors Charles IV, Wenceslas (Czech king Wenceslas IV) and Sigismund I belonged. Charles IV handed over the County of Luxembourg, which he had elevated to the status of a duchy, to his brother, Wenceslas. After the death of the childless Wenceslas, the duchy passed from clan to clan. So, since 1419 it belonged to the Dukes of Burgundy.

After the death of Sigismund in 1437, as a result of the marriage of his daughter with the Austrian Duke Albrecht V of Habsburg (German King Albrecht II), the Duchy of Luxembourg passed to the Habsburg dynasty. In 1443 it was seized by the Duke of Burgundy, and the power of the Habsburgs was restored only in 1477. In 1555, together with Holland and Flanders, Luxembourg went to the Spanish Habsburg - Philip II.

In the 17th century. Luxembourg was repeatedly involved in wars between Spain and France, which was gaining strength. Under the Treaty of Pyrenees in 1659, Louis XIV conquered the southwestern edge of the duchy with the cities of Thionville and Montmedy. During the military campaign of 1684, the French captured the fortress of Luxembourg and remained there for 13 years, until, under the terms of the Peace of Riswick, Louis was forced to return him to Spain along with the lands he had seized in Belgium. And only in 1713, after long wars, under the terms of the Peace of Utrecht, Belgium and the territory of the modern Duchy of Luxembourg came under the rule of the Austrian Habsburgs again.

After the Great French Revolution, the Luxembourg fortress was taken not by arms, but by blockade. The troops of Republican France entered Luxembourg in 1795, and until 1813 the area remained under French rule. In 1815, by decision of the Congress of Vienna, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg was formed, the crown of which was transferred to the king of the United Netherlands (modern Belgium and the Netherlands) William I (Willem I) in exchange for his former possessions, which were annexed to the Duchy of Hesse. At the same time, some areas were separated from the former Luxembourg in favor of Prussia. Luxembourg found itself in a personal union with the Netherlands. At the same time, Luxembourg was included in the confederation of independent states - the German Confederation (and was a part of it until 1860), and the Prussian troops were allowed to maintain their garrison in the capital's fortress.

The revolution of 1830 in Belgium also embraced Luxembourg, with the exception of the capital, which was held by the Prussian garrison. This led to the dismemberment of the rebellious country: the western, French-speaking (Walloon) part (two-thirds of the territory) was transferred by the London Treaty of 1839 to Belgium as an independent province of Luxembourg. And William I remained the ruler of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, which had shrunk in size to its present borders and was connected with the ruler of the Netherlands only by a personal union. In 1841, Wilhelm II entrusted (granted) a special constitution for Luxembourg, and from 1842 to 1919 Luxembourg was a member of the Customs Union of German states.

After the collapse of the German Confederation in 1866, the prolonged presence of the Prussian garrison in Luxembourg began to displease France. William III and Napoleon III negotiated the sale of Luxembourg, but at this time an acute conflict broke out between France and Prussia. By decision of the London Conference of 1867, the Prussian garrison was withdrawn from the city of Luxembourg, the fortifications of Luxembourg were razed to the ground. The independence and neutrality of Luxembourg were proclaimed. The throne in the Grand Duchy remained the privilege of the Nassau dynasty.

Personal union with the Netherlands was broken in 1890 after the death of William III. In the Netherlands, the crown passed to his daughter Wilhelmina, and in Luxembourg, where, according to ancient laws, the throne was passed only through the male line, to the Grand Duke Adolf, representing another branch of the house of Nassau. Adolf was succeeded by his son Wilhelm IV (1905-1912), and William (with a change in the law on succession to the throne) was succeeded by his daughter Maria Adelaide.

During the First World War 1914-1918. Luxembourg was occupied by the German army. On January 9, 1919, Maria Adelaide abdicated in favor of her sister Charlotte. In 1919, a referendum was held to decide whether Luxembourg wished to remain a Grand Duchy with the ruling house of Nassau. The population of Luxembourg voted for the independence of the country, but at the same time for an economic union with France, which for the sake of improving relations with Belgium rejected this proposal and thereby prompted Luxembourg to conclude an agreement with Belgium. As a result, in 1921 an economic (including customs) union with Belgium that had been in effect for half a century was established.

Luxembourg's neutrality was again violated by Germany when troops entered the country on 10 May 1940. Following the German invasion, Grand Duchess Charlotte established an exile government based in London and Montreal. Germany's plans to annex Luxembourg in August 1942 were thwarted by the Luxembourg general strike, to which the Germans responded with massive repression. About 30 thousand residents (more than 10% of the total population), including most of the young men, were arrested and deported from the country. In September 1944, the Allied forces liberated Luxembourg, and the exiled government returned to its homeland. The northern regions of Luxembourg were again captured by German troops during the Ardennes operation and finally liberated only in January 1945.

In 1944-1948. The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg merged into the Benelux customs union, and in 1958 they formed an economic union. In 1957 Luxembourg became one of the founders of the EEC, and in June 1990 an agreement was signed at the Schengen castle that abolished border controls in the Benelux countries, France and Germany. In February 1992, the country joined the EU.

Culture

Neolithic ceramics, dolmens, Celtic and ancient Roman monuments (the remains of baths, military camps, towers, bas-reliefs, mosaics) have been discovered on the territory of Luxembourg. During the early Middle Ages, the main artistic center was the Benedictine monastery in Echternach, where beautiful miniatures were made, reflecting in the 8-10 centuries. Irish, and at the turn of the 10th and 11th centuries. Ottonian traditions. Carved frames of the Gospels with ivory plates were also performed.

In the 11th century. numerous (preserved only in ruins) castles, Romanesque chapels (ten-sided chapel of the Vianden castle) and basilicas (St. Willibrordus church in Echternach, 1017-1031) with sculptural decoration were erected. Gothic churches of the 14-16th centuries (in the cities of Luxembourg, Rindschleiden, Sete-Fontaine, etc.) were distinguished by an abundance of sculpture in the interiors (tabernacles, statues of Madonnas and saints, tombstones). In the second half of the 16th century. the Renaissance style spread (the town hall, now the ducal museum, in Luxembourg, 1563), and in the 17th century. - Baroque (Notre Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg, 1613-1621). Fortified residences of the nobility were erected (castles Vitrange, Ansemburg, etc.). In the 18th century. the decorative and applied arts flourished (production of furniture, metal products, faience). In the architecture of the 19th century. eclecticism replaced classicism.

Fine arts of the 19th century developed under French influence (portraits by J. B. Frese, romantic landscapes by M. Kirsch). After the First World War, the influence of German Expressionism appeared, then French Fauvism. J. Kutter's paintings are marked by features of sharp grotesque and richness of the scale. In the works of contemporary artists (W. Kesseler, J. Probst, M. Hoffmann and others), the influences of A. Matisse, P. Picasso, F. Leger and other French masters are felt. Compositions by the sculptor L. Vercolier, with the tendencies of abstract art, retain a certain closeness to nature.

sights

Wiltz, the largest city in Essling, consists, like the capital, of two parts - the Lower City (at an altitude of 320 m) and the Upper City, located 80 m higher up the mountainside around the ancient fortress. Wiltz is a beautiful town, its surroundings are very picturesque. Some randomness of development, coupled with ravines overgrown with bushes and numerous fences give the city a special provincial flavor.

Vianden is one of the most beautiful and picturesque cities in Luxembourg, stretching along the banks of the narrow valley of the Ur River, at the foot of the ancient fortress of the Dukes of Nassau. Vianden Castle (11-13th centuries), the oldest buildings of which date back to the 9th century, is a pearl of medieval architecture. The Gothic Church of the Holy Trinity, which is part of the castle complex, is one of the most famous in the country. Vianden is famous for the fact that Victor Hugo lived there. The house where he lived was restored in 1948 and now there is a museum in it, which contains some things and books that belonged to the great French writer.

The city of Echternach, located on the banks of the Syra on the border with Germany, near the "Luxembourg Switzerland", is one of the oldest cities in the country, it is about 1000 years old. There are many ancient buildings with quaint vaults and arches. A wonderful view of the city opens from the opposite, mountainous and forested, left bank of the Syur. Against the background of Echternach, stand out the massive buildings of the former monastery, which now houses the classical lyceum. Echternach, along with the capital, is a recognized center of tourism, it is a city of numerous processions and holidays.

The main attraction of this ancient city is the so-called. "Dancing procession". On the first Tuesday after Trinity, thousands of people, holding hands, skip: three steps forward, two to the side. Legend has it that in time immemorial, one horse thief condemned to death was allowed to play his favorite melody at last: upon hearing it, everyone started dancing and forgot about the execution! The folk motif was later mixed with the religious one: allegedly in the 14th century. the dancing procession turned into a prayer procession of pilgrims asking God to save people from hunger and plague.

The feudal castle, towering over the city, is the main attraction of Clervaux, located in a picturesque lowland between wooded hills. Inside the castle, there are also several museum collections, including an exhibition of miniature Luxembourg fortresses. In 1910, the Benedictine abbey of Clairvaux was founded. The Benedictine monastery was built in the neo-Romanesque style by the Dutch architect Klomp. An exhibition dedicated to the history of monastery life has been opened here.

The Moselle Valley is located 40 km north of the Schengen castle, famous for the signing of the international agreement of the same name. Selected grape varieties are grown in this valley, from which the world famous Riesling, Mozelskoe and Rivaner wines are produced. Stadtbredimus Castle in the Moselle Valley is famous for the fact that the poet de Lafontaine lived here for some time. The best blends of Moselle wines are kept in the basements of the castle, and tasting is offered to tourists. Remich is a recognized winemaking center in the southern part of the Moselle Valley.

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, despite its magnificent name, is one of the dwarf states of Europe, but this does not in the least detract from its beauty, historical role in the development of neighboring countries and its current influence.

Country information

Luxembourg is very small in size, with an area of \u200b\u200bonly 2,586 sq. km., but this does not prevent it from placing 220 bank offices on it and being one of.

The Grand Duchy is a member of 49 international organizations, including the UN, WTO, NATO, Benelux, etc., and has a lot of weight in them. The country of Luxembourg lies at the crossroads of important transport routes, which makes it attractive and convenient for tourism. In addition, in Luxembourg, about 65% of the treasury income is provided by banking and registration of foreign companies, and Luxembourgers are also happy to breed livestock, plant vineyards and make excellent wine.

Since 2002, the national currency in Luxembourg is the euro. The capital of the duchy is of the same name.

Where is Luxembourg located?

The state of Luxembourg was formed in Western Europe and has no outlet to the sea. It shares the northern and western borders with Belgium, the southern - with France, in the east it borders with Germany. Geographically, Luxembourg is a hilly plain, in the north abutting the Ardennes mountains.

Weather and climate in Luxembourg

The climate in the country is moderate, it goes from maritime to continental. Average winter temperatures balance around 0 degrees, usually positive. But in the north of the country at the foot of the Ardennes mountains, real winter often comes with frosts down to -15 degrees. Summer is warm and comfortable, average temperatures are kept at +17.

Precipitation falls mainly in winter, about 760 mm, and even in the form of snow, and in the north of the country snowfalls are increasingly common and are considered a common winter phenomenon.

Luxembourg population

The many Germanic tribes, Franks and Celts, who lived in the area both before and after the domination of the Roman Empire, are considered the distant ancestors of the modern inhabitants of the duchy.

In 2013, the country's population exceeded 500 thousand inhabitants, most of whom live in the southern part of the country. It should be noted that for both men and women, the average life expectancy is about 80 years, and this figure is growing positively.

It can be said that it has preserved its own language - a mixture of Germanic dialects and numerous borrowed words from the French language. By the way, French and German are also recognized as official languages \u200b\u200bof Luxembourg. In addition, many residents are fluent in English.

Religion

Most of the believers are Catholics, but since freedom of religion is guaranteed in the country, in the cities of a small country, mostly large ones, there are Protestant organizations and Jewish communities.

State structure of Luxembourg

The head of the Duchy of Luxembourg is the Grand Duke, the form of power is a constitutional monarchy, and the right to inherit power belongs to the Nassau family. In 2000, Grand Duke Jean abdicated in favor of his son Henri. According to the Constitution, the head of state appoints the government and the prime minister. The Chamber of Deputies (60 people) is elected by residents for 5 years. The monarch has his assistants - an advisory council, whose membership is for life.

There are three administrative districts in the country: Luxembourg, Grevenmacher and, which are then divided into 12 cantons, and they, in turn, into 118 different communes.

History of Luxembourg

Luxembourg is perhaps one of the few countries that in the entire history of Europe passed from one conqueror to another, and as a result gained its own path and independence.

The history of the state originates from a small fortress, which, according to assumptions, was the first to be built and fortified by the Romans. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the lands were conquered by the Franks and became part of the new empire of Charlemagne. The ruler of this territory were the descendants of Charles, one of whom was Konrad. In the 11th century, he took the title of Count of Luxembourg, thereby becoming the ancestor of a dynasty that ruled until the 14th century.

At the conclusion of a marriage between a relative of Konrad and the German king Albert II, the territory of the future Luxembourg went to the Habsburg dynasty as a dowry. And after that a series of medieval wars began, in which the duchy more than once passed into ownership from Spain to France and back. The two powers were constantly at war with each other. And only after the French Revolution and even after Napoleon, who proudly walked across Europe, the Vienna Congress of 1814-1815 defined the Duchy as a separate territory and profitably exchanged it from the Netherlands for possessions of interest. Since then, the borders of Luxembourg have somewhat decreased, and in May 1867 the small country became completely independent, headed by the Nassau dynasty.

Both the First and Second World Wars passed through the borders of Luxembourg, and since then the ruling dynasty has been actively participating in all post-war agreements and plays an important role in the life of Europe.

The nature of Luxembourg

The natural landscapes of the country are mesmerizing, especially in the north, where the mountainous relief and weather changes are more pronounced. The highest point of the duchy is located here - the Burgplatz mountain with a height of 559 meters. The largest river Sur comes from Belgium, crossing the entire country and merging with local rivers. On the east side, Luxembourg is washed by the Moselle River.

Oaks and beeches grow everywhere, but this, as in all of Europe, is already secondary forests. The mountain slopes are covered with conifers, spruce and larch trees are often found, and in some places there are even swampy areas of the forest. More delicate plants are planted and cultivated in parks: apricot, dogwood, boxwood, barberry and even walnut.

The fauna has become very poor over the past 500 years, but there are a lot of hares and squirrels, in the forests you can find chamois, wild boars or roe deer. Among the birds, you can see the jay or pheasant, wood grouse and hazel grouse. Trout is also found in local rivers, which, however, does not interfere with breeding it artificially.

Luxembourg landmarks

The first and most ancient is the ancient Roman fortress, from which it all began once, but only the watchtower has survived to this day. The second most important fortress was built in the 10th century by Marshal Vauban. And although in 1868 it was partially destroyed, many buildings were preserved for posterity: these are towers on the very cliff, they are called, casemates, fragments of walls, gates, tunnels and much more. A park was once laid out next to the castle on a cliff; today it is a must-visit point for tourists and a wonderful observation deck for admiring the surroundings.

A country with a rich history boasts countless interesting and mysterious sights, including the most beautiful ones. This list also includes castles and, 17th century with the tomb of the Grand Dukes, secret passages and labyrinths of the National Museum, Mansfeld's garden, St. Krivin's chapel, bastion of the Holy Spirit, and Ministries, itself, and other monuments of history and culture.

La Petrus is also considered a stunning place for fans of the history of World War II, and next to them are the ruins of an old fortress. In the town of Vormeldange you can see the Saint Donassien Chapel, and in Henin - the Museum of Luxembourg Wine.

Lovers of secluded relaxation will love the Essling area with its vast pastures and forests. And the most beautiful city in Luxembourg is Echternach. In addition to architecture, you can admire the Basilica of St. Willibror, fragments of the fortress wall, the market square and visit the Wolf's Mouth canyon. Its surroundings are called "Luxembourg Switzerland". And on the border with France there is a mineral water resort Mondorf.

The cities themselves and their buildings, streets and parks, squares with Gothic architecture and tiles are also a kind of beauty and monuments; many tourists always walk on the streets of any city.

Where to stay?

In a tourist country, problems with finding accommodation are extremely rare, except during the period of national and international. But in any case, in Europe it is customary to book a hotel in advance, and if you go to Luxembourg directly, this is already a prerequisite for obtaining a visa.

Despite the dwarf size of the country, in almost every city you can find hotels of excellent comfort and high service - this is a common feature of all, regardless of the stardom and remoteness from the center. Most are located in the capital of the same name of the Grand Duchy. Fans of comfortable rooms and a buffet will like Hotel Le Royal 5 * and Parc Hotel Alvisse 4 * in Luxembourg. There are accommodation options and easier: the difference in the cost of rooms in local hotels lies in the range of services they offer. It is worth noting cozy hotels (hotel Auberge Aal Veinen 3 *, hotel Oranienburg 3 *), (hotel Anciennes Tanneries 3 *) and Echternach (hotel Du Commerce 3 * and hotel Au Vieux Moulin 4 *).

In Luxembourg, there are also very simple hotels for tourists who decide to spend the night in a specific place once, and continue their journey in the morning.

Duchy of Luxembourg restaurants and cuisine

Although it carries in itself a plexus of culinary tastes of its neighbors, it also has its own aromatic traits carried through centuries of history.

The Grand Duchy's restaurant menus abound in fish and pork. Perch and trout, pike and crayfish are very popular - all this can be tasted in one of the specialized fish restaurants, for example, Brasserie Guillaume. Jellied suckling pigs and Ardennes ham, blood sausage and smoked pork ridge are famous all over Europe for meat dishes. For example, the menu at Mousel Cantine is teeming with local Luxembourgish delicacies.

Shopping in Luxembourg

In a special country there are special shops and, as a result, interesting for everyone. There are no crazy sales of expensive designer collections or bargain prices for foreign novelties. Life flows smoothly and tastefully, boutiques and brand stores are located in a crowd, which is very convenient.

Among the expensive purchases, men's clothing and accessories are popular, as well as various jewelry, crystal, leather goods, watches and electronics - all of which often have tourist discounts of 15-20%.

Most travelers want to bring memorabilia, souvenirs and goodies - such goods are sold in abundance throughout the Luxembourg country. The first in the rating of delicious purchases are chocolate, beer and wine, tobacco products, Ardennes ham and cheeses are not far behind. From inedible, for a long memory, souvenirs tourists like to buy figurines, whistles and kites. Various symbols and paintings, sketches and sketches by local artists are very popular.

Almost all shops are open on weekdays from 9.00-20.00, on Saturday - until six in the evening.

Luxembourg transport

No wonder they say that the wealth of a country is reflected in its roads. And the country of Luxembourg is no exception here: the small duchy is very developed.

Firstly, the Luxembourgers have their own airport near the capital. Secondly, the country is crossed by two main branches of the France-Belgium and Germany-Belgium railway, which form a large railway junction in the Grand Duchy. In addition, 270 km of its own directions run from the main branches throughout the dwarf country. Thirdly, all the communes are connected with more than 5000 thousand km of good safe roadway. Using regular buses, you can easily get even to the most remote town or village.

How to get to Luxembourg?

There are no direct flights from the cities of the CIS countries to Luxembourg, but there are many connecting options with a transfer in Vienna, Istanbul, Munich and other major European cities. Many European and international airlines fly to Luxembourg, choosing the most convenient option will not be difficult. As a rule, the total flight time does not exceed 4 hours.

Most of the tourists come to this country from neighboring states by car, bus or train for a few days to see the rich region and its attractions. In Luxembourg, underground parking lots are built in abundance, so often visiting car owners leave their cars there and change to a city bus, from where it can be much easier and more interesting to see the horizons.

When crossing the Luxembourg border, keep in mind that:

• there are no restrictions on the import and export of any currency;
• personal belongings and objects in reasonable quantities (1-2 units per person) are not taxed when declaring: photo and video equipment, sports equipment, receivers, binoculars, etc .;
• it is prohibited to import antiques, weapons, heirlooms.

Do I need a visa to enter Luxembourg?

The Grand Duchy is part of the Schengen area, i.e. to enter you will need a visa, a passport, life and health insurance and confirmation of your residence reservation.

As a rule, it takes about 10-14 days, for this, in addition to the mandatory entry documents indicated above, you must provide a questionnaire with a photo in three languages: English, German and French. Depending on the length of stay, the consular fee ranges from $ 23-38. There are no discounts for children, but if the child is entered in the parent's passport, but does not have an independent identity card by age, then the fee is not paid for it.

Note for tourists

Luxembourgers certainly do not give the impression of sociable and cheerful people, but this is a tribute to family and upbringing. They are always polite to strangers and will come to your aid in difficult situations.

In Luxembourg, all the "nightlife" is created for tourists, the local population rarely participates in such events. Tipping, as a rule, is everywhere 10%, and taxi services are always rounded "plus".