The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, a constitutional monarchy, is an independent sovereign state, tucked between Belgium, France and Germany (cf Luxembourg in Europe map). The country is 84 km (51.7 miles) long and 52 km (32 miles) wide, encompassing an area of 2586 square kilometres (999 square miles) with a population of 459 500 inhabitants (official estimate Jan 1, 2006). |
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1) GEOGRAPHYA) The country is divided into two clearly defined REGIONS:
B) River Network:
|
Temperature Day (°C) |
Temperature Night (°C) |
Sunshine (hours) |
Rain (days) | |
January | 5 | 0 | 2 | 12 |
February | 6 | 0 | 3 | 10 |
March | 10 | 2 | 4 | 11 |
April | 13 | 4 | 6 | 12 |
May | 19 | 8 | 7 | 10 |
June | 21 | 10 | 7 | 11 |
July | 23 | 12 | 6 | 11 |
August | 22 | 12 | 6 | 11 |
September | 20 | 10 | 5 | 10 |
October | 14 | 7 | 4 | 12 |
November | 8 | 2 | 2 | 12 |
December | 6 | 1 | 1 | 13 |
Average
1951-1990
|
January
|
April
|
July
|
October
|
12
months
|
Temperature (Degrees C) | |||||
|
0.8
|
8.3
|
17.5
|
9.5
|
9.0
|
|
9.5
|
22.0
|
30.7
|
20.7
|
20.5
|
|
-9.5
|
-2.2
|
6.9
|
-0.4
|
-1.3
|
Relative Humidity (%) |
89.0
|
74.0
|
73.0
|
86.0
|
81.0
|
Hours of Sunshine |
38.6
|
158.7
|
200.5
|
94.7
|
1430.0
|
Rainfall (mm) |
69.0
|
50.6
|
62.9
|
63.8
|
782.2
|
National
airline : Luxair with regular
flights to: Agadir, Alicante, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Copenhagen,
Djerba, Faro, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hamburg, Heraklion, Korfou, Kos,
London, Madrid, Malaga, Munich, Nice, Palma, Paris, Rhodes, Rome,
Strasbourg, Saarbrücken, Tenerife, and Vienna.
Other airlines link Luxembourg to: Boston, Brussels, Budapest, Hamburg,
Lisbon, Milan, Zurich, to name but the major destinations.
(see also:
Economic Portrait)
It was the
discovery of the iron ore around 1850 which marked the turning point
for Luxembourg and meant its economic take-off. An important steel industry
came into being in the south-western corner of the country, drawing
tens of thousands of foreign workers into the ore mines and steel factories,
and bringing prosperity to the whole country.
The steel exports constitute one quarter of the value of the Luxembourg
export trade. The Arcelor group
alone (previously known as ARBED), produces 90% of the whole Luxembourg
steel output. In spite of severe labour-shedding during the eighties,
Arcelor remains the largest private employer in the country. Arcelor
is the number one steel company in the world with a turnover of 32.6
billion euros in 2005. The company holds leadership positions in its
main markets: automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging
as well as general industry. In 2006, Arcelor employs 110,000 associates
in over 60 countries.
Since the end of World War II, great efforts have been made to bring
diversity into the former monolithic industry. Aluminium, glass,
cement, tyres, magnetic tapes and computer manufacturers have established
plants, dams have been built in Esch-sur-Sûre and Rosport; Vianden
houses Europe's second largest pumping station producing peak hydro-electricity;
the ASTRA satellites are controlled
from Luxembourg.
Tax rebates, help in obtaining credits, and a host of other incentives
are offered to companies intending to set up plant in the Grand Duchy.
However, despite these continuing efforts, Luxembourg's industrial labour
is dropping in numbers, marking a slide into the service sector. (see
also: Luxembourg
in Figures )
Luxembourg plays a major role as a prominent international financial
centre. Numerous banks and important
investment trusts have settled in the capital, as the fiscal legislation,
which dates back to 1929, favours Banks and Holding Companies.
Luxembourg as an international centre numbers more than 14000 domiciled
Holding
Companies, some 8500 investment funds and 220 banks which represent
the greatest banking concentration in the European Union.
In parallel with the growth of private banking, which year on year emerges
as the core activity for Luxembourg's banks, the development of other
sectors, such as Investment Fund Promotion and Services, as well as
Life Insurance
are reinforcing Luxembourg's claim to be Europe's premier centre for
all forms of Personal Investment business.
Tourism
contributes significantly to the National Accounts. (see also: Tourism
Statistics )
Its economic structure and its geographical position have necessarily
led Luxembourg into a close co-operation with other countries, and particularly
with Belgium since 1921, and with Belgium and the Netherlands since
the second World War, with the creation of BENELUX, an economic Union
which was the first step towards the present larger European Union.
See also: The Luxembourg Economy 2003-2004 - A kaleidoscope [pdf/2.8Mb]
For your further
information:
check out our Index,
look through the Frequently Asked Questions,
use our Search Engine, or our list of WWWeb
Links to Luxembourg
The "Economic
and social portrait of Luxembourg"
If you would like to receive some brochures on the Grand Duchy,
please fill in our brochure request form, or
send us an email.
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©
Serge Moes
last modified: November 16, 2006