Luxembourg

I

Introduction

Luxembourg, officially Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium to the north and west, Germany to the east, and France to the south. With Belgium and the Netherlands, Luxembourg forms the Low, or Benelux, Countries. The country has an area of 2,586 sq km (998 sq mi). The capital is Luxembourg.

II

Land and Resources

Topographically, Luxembourg consists mainly of the upper basins of the Sûre (Sauer) and Alzette rivers. The duchy is divided into two distinct regions. The northern third, known as the Oesling (Ösling), forms part of the Ardennes and comprises a relatively sparsely populated, forested plateau incised by deep valleys. It contains Luxembourg’s highest point, the Buurgplaatz (559 m/1,835 ft). The southern two thirds of the country is a low rolling plateau, the Bon Pays (or Gutland, “Good Land”), which is densely populated and heavily industrialized—especially along the Alzette river valley and in the south-west border area with France, which is the focus of the steel industry. The Bon Pays contains Luxembourg’s best soils so it is also the main agricultural region.

III

Environmental Concerns

Despite Luxembourg’s small size and population, it consumes large amounts of electricity, petroleum, and coal—the country ranks among the highest in the world in per capita annual consumption of these commodities. It has similarly high levels of waste generation and emissions of carbon dioxide and other harmful chemicals. These contribute to the poor air quality and pollution that characterize Europe's industrial heartland. Extremely acidic acid rain falls on Luxembourg and causes defoliation, and the country's urban areas suffer from air and water pollution. The government has designated 13.9 per cent (1996) of the country's total land area protected and has ratified international environmental agreements pertaining to air pollution, biodiversity, climate change, desertification, endangered species, hazardous wastes, marine dumping, nuclear test ban, ozone layer protection, ship pollution, and tropical timber.

Luxembourg has a temperate climate with mild winters. The mean annual temperature is 10° C (50° F) and the mean annual rainfall is about 815 mm (32 in); the north is slightly colder and more humid than the south.

IV

Population

Luxembourg has been one of the historic crossroads of Europe and native-born Luxembourgers derive from the mixing of Celtic, Belgic, Romanic, and Frankish peoples. They have developed from this rich cultural heritage a distinct national consciousness. Luxembourg, however, also has one of Europe’s lowest population growth rates. This has created a chronic labour shortage that has been offset by foreign migrants; almost one third of the resident population is now foreign born; coming mainly from southern Europe. The population is estimated to comprise over 50 per cent foreign-born residents within 40 years. In addition, many Germans, Belgians, and French commute daily, bringing the total foreign workforce to 50 per cent.

Luxembourg has a population of 486,006 (2008 estimate), giving the country an overall population density of about 188 people per sq km (487 per sq mi); 92 per cent of the population is urban. Average life expectancy is 76 years for men; 83 years for women.