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50 Fascinating Facts About Luxembourg

The tiny size of Luxembourg doesn't detract from the fact that it's an interesting place to visit. Luxembourg has a lot to offer, including its ancient Luxembourg City, several castles, and stunning natural scenery. Before you travel, why not brush up on your knowledge of the country? Then have a look at these 50 fascinating Luxembourg trivia facts.

Fascinating Facts

1	The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is the official name of the nation.
2	In addition to Brussels, Frankfurt, and Strasbourg, Luxembourg City serves as the EU's other three formal capitals.
3	Besides Luxembourgish, French and German are Luxembourg's two other official languages.
4	The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is the only one still ruled by a Grand Duke.
5	The Grand Duke of the Netherlands Jean governed for 36 years until being succeeded in 2000 by his son Henri.
6	In Luxembourg's cuisine, both French and German culinary traditions are highly impacted. Pomme Tarte (quetsche tort) and potato-bacon-onion green bean soup are among the region's specialties (Bouneschlupp). Judd mat Gaardebounen, Luxembourg's national food, is a smoked pork collar marinated overnight in water then cooked with vegetables and spices. It's a hearty, filling dish. A side dish of potatoes and broad beans is frequently offered, and a bottle of Diekirch beer from Luxembourg.
7	Prime Minister Xavier Bettel of Luxembourg is the first openly homosexual EU leader to marry. In 2015, he tied the knot with his longtime companion, Gauthier Destenay.
8	According to the World Economic Outlook Report published in April 2015 by the International Monetary Fund, it had the world's highest GDP per capita in 2014, at $111,716.
9	Around 525,000 people are living in the nation, with 43% of them being foreign residents. It is the European country with the most expats
10	The automobile ownership rate in Luxembourg is the highest globally, with 647 cars per 1,000 people. The fact that roughly half of the country's employment is made up of cross-border workers from Belgium, France, and Germany doesn't surprise.
11	Luxembourg is home to the RTL Group, Europe's largest entertainment network. It owns stakes in 29 radio stations and 55 television networks throughout the world.
12	North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO): Luxembourg is a founding member country (NATO).
13	Luxembourg, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands are the other five founding members of the European Union.
14	Luxembourg is unique because immigrants, or cross-border workers, account for 70% of the labor force.
15	In addition to its Old Town and Fortifications, Luxemburg's whole city center is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
16	Their slogan is "Mir wlwe wat mir sin" (We want to be what we are), and they live by it.
17	In addition to Skype, Amazon, Paypal, Rakuten, and Rovi Corp. all have European headquarters in Luxembourg, well-known for being a prominent financial hub and tax haven.
18	Luxembourg has the second-highest monthly minimum wage in the world, according to 2015 figures of $2,468. (Based on a 40-hour workweek). With a price tag of $2,863, Australia tops the list.
19	The Bock Casemates, a 21-kilometer-long network of underground tunnels, is a well-known tourist destination in the country.
20	With its long religious history and inclusion on the United Nations' UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Echternach's Dancing Parade is a hopping/skipping procession in honor of St. Willibrord that draws thousands of pilgrims every Whit Tuesday.
21	Luxemburg was sold to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in 1443 by Elisabeth, Duchess of Luxembourg.
22	The largest of the country's 75 castles that are still standing is the Bourscheid Castle.
23	Roman Catholicism is the most popular religion in the country.
24	It is the only surviving sovereign grand duchy in the world, ruled by Grand Duke Henri.
25	Luxembourgers are the country's citizens and makeup around half of the population.
26	Luxembourg City has a population of 122,273 people as of the end of 2019.
27	Seven horizontal stripes in the colors red, white, and light blue make up the flag of Luxembourg, which represents the coat of arms used to identify the country.
28	According to a UN report, Luxembourg is one of the world's safest countries.
29	Restaurant Chiggeri in Luxembourg has the world's biggest wine list, with more than 2,200 different wines to select from.
30	According to GDP (gross domestic product), Luxembourg is the world's second-richest country.
31	Nearly half of Luxembourg's workforce travels to Luxembourg from one of three countries: France, Belgium, or Germany.
32	One-third of Luxembourg's budget goes on universal healthcare and public assistance.
33	Luxembourg has Europe's highest minimum wage and the world's second highest behind Australia's overall income per capita.
34	Luxembourg is home to the European Union's Court of Justice.
35	Luxembourg has the world's highest per-capita vehicle ownership rate of 647 cars.
36	Luxembourg is one of the world's most major commercial and financial hubs, with over 150 banks, such as the European Investment Bank.
37	These amusing facts about Luxembourg can come in handy while working on a geography project in school.
38	It has a land size of only 2,586 square kilometers, making it Europe's smallest country (998 square miles).
39	It was the 167th-largest country in the world out of 194 sovereign nations.
40	The population of Luxembourg is among the lowest in Europe, with only 626,108 people living there in 2019.
41	Twenty-two. The Oesling and the Gutland make up Germany's northern third and south-central third, respectively.
42	The primary river in Luxembourg is known in France as the Moselle, while in Luxembourgish and Germany, it is known as the Musel and the Mosel.
43	Luxembourg City is underlain by 17 kilometers of solid rock tunnels.
44	Forests cover more than a third of Luxembourg's land area.
45	The education system in Luxembourg is trilingual: the first years of primary school are taught in Luxembourgish, followed by German and French in secondary school.
46	In 1995 and again in 2007, Luxembourg was the first city to be designated European Capital of Culture twice, with France, Germany, and Belgium as a group.
47	The Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg's birthday are commemorated with a National Day on June 23. However, no one has a birthday on June 23!
48	In addition to its fascinating customs and events, Luxembourg is well-known for its warm people.
49	A bonfire day called Buergbrennen occurs on the first Sunday following Lent and is a time to celebrate the arrival of spring by burning logs and Christmas trees that were left over from Christmas.
50	43 percent of Luxembourg's 525,000 residents are foreign-born. Luxembourg has the most expatriates per capita of any European country, with residents hailing from more than 170 countries. Nearly one-fifth (15%) of the country's total population are Portuguese citizens.