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.
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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.
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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.
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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. |
Sources
- https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2021/12/08/rtl-names-new-head-of-tech-services-unit/
- https://www.airportconnection.it/luxembourg/what-to-do-in-luxembourg.html
- https://www.scoopnest.com/user/EUintheUS/618134846515249152-luxembourg-is-home-to-several-eu-institutions-including-the-european-court-of-justice-a-the-eib-memb
- https://www.moonhoneytravel.com/europe/germany/moselle-valley/
- https://travelwithmk.com/luxembourg-buergbrennen/