Geography
Area: 2,586 sq. km. (999 sq. mi.; about half the size of Rhode
Island).
Cities: Capital -- Luxembourg City (pop. 76,600). Other
cities -- Esch-sur-Alzette (pop. 28,200), Differdange (pop.
19,000), Dudelange (pop. 17,800).
Terrain: Continuation of Belgian Ardennes in the north, heavily
forested and slightly mountainous; extension of French Lorraine
plateau in the south, with open, rolling countryside.
Climate: Modified continental, rainy, with mild summers and moderate
snowfall in winter.
People
Nationality: Noun -- Luxembourger(s). Adjective
-- Luxembourgian
Population (2006): 459,500
Annual growth rate (2006): 0.99%
Ethnic groups: Celtic base with French and German blend; large
communities of ethnic Portuguese, Italians, French, Belgians, and
Germans.
Religion: Historically and predominantly Roman Catholic. However,
Luxembourgian law forbids the collection of data on religious
practices.
Official languages: Luxembourgish, French, and German; English is
widely spoken.
Education: Years compulsory--9. Attendance--100%. Literacy--100%.
Health: Life expectancy (2000-02) -- Avg. 78 years; males:
75 years, females 81 years. Infant mortality rate (2005) --
3/1,000.
Labor force (2005): 311,200, of which 38% commute from neighboring
countries. European Union institutions employ 8,300.
Services: (non-financial): 53%; (financial):
11%; Commerce: 14%; Industrial and manufacturing:
11% Construction: 10%; Agriculture: 1%
Unemployment rate (2005): 4.2%, up from 3.9% in 2004
Government
Type: Constitutional monarchy.
Independence: 1839.
Constitution: 1868.
Branches: Executive--Grand Duke (head of state, ceremonial), Prime
Minister (head of government). Legislative--unicameral parliament
(Chamber of Deputies with Council of State serving as a consultative
body). Judicial--Superior Court.
Political parties in parliament: Christian Social Union (CSV),
Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP), Democratic Party (DP), Green Party,
Alternative Democratic Reform Party (ADR).
Suffrage: Universal over age of 18.
Government budget (2005): $9.587 billion
Economy
GDP (2005): $36.5 billion
Currency: euro (€), exchange rate (Sept. 25, 2006: €1 = $1.2756)
Annual growth rate (2005): 4%
Per capita income (2005): $69,527
Inflation rate (2005): 3.8%
Natural resources: iron ore, timber
Agriculture (2003: 0.6% of GDP): Dairy, wine, forestry, animal feed
crops. Arable land: 24%; Forested land: 21%
Services (2003: 78.9% of GDP): Banking and financial services
predominate
Industry (2003: 20.5% of GDP): Steel, chemicals
Trade (2005): Exports: $12.97 billion: steel & other
metallic products, chemicals, processed wood products, machinery &
other manufactured equipment. Major markets: other European
Union countries (esp. Germany, France, and Belgium).
Imports: $18.04 billion: Machinery & other manufactured
equipment, raw materials, chemicals, food products. Major
suppliers: other European Union countries (esp. Belgium,
Germany, and France).
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