Luxembourg

Luxembourg, the capital of the Grand Duchy, is delighted to greet you. Luxembourg, a tiny little country dwarfed between its neighbors France, Germany and Belgium, when planning a tour of Europe. If it is thought of at all, it is probably as a rather unexciting place full of important banking institutions and European Union bureaucrats.

Luxembourg's weather is generally temperate, with the warmest months from May to September. Snow is possible in winter, and the northern area is wetter and colder than the south.

Cathedral to the Blessed Virgin was originally a Jesuit church, the foundation stone of which was laid in 1613. It is a remarkable instance of late Gothic style, revealing various components and ornaments inspired by Renaissance style. Saint Michael's Church is the oldest holy building in the city, replacing the castle chapel of the Counts of Luxembourg placed on the same site in 987. Saint John's Church is very famous.

Beaufort is situated on a plateau in the Mullerthal region. It has a Renaissance castle and the ruins of a 12th C. castle, as well as a neo-Gothic church. Beaufort Kirsch and Cassis are the area's most popular specialties. Bascharage is located on the Luxembourg-Paris main road and at the crossroads of the mining district and the green valleys of the Capellen country. Bech, Altrier and Hersberg are on the edge of the vast forests of Marscherwald and Mullerthal with their small valleys and rocks. In Hersberg the Oak of the Virgin is a popular pilgrimage spot and is recognized as a monument. There is an interesting chapel and a network of walking paths begins in the area. Diekirch (pop. 5,600) was the starting place for the development of Luxembourg tourism, thanks to the hotelkeeper A. Heck. Diekirch is a tourism center due in part to its geographical location between the Oesling wilderness and the Good Land near the capital city. Grosbous is in the valley of the Wark river at the intersection of important roads. The village of Nospelt is the former capital of Luxembourg earthenware with production dating back to 1458. There are several amateur potters practicing art in the town, and there is a pottery museum.

Luxembourg's political system has a strong local focus. National politicians very often begin their careers and establish their base serving as mayors, and members of the Chamber of Deputies are elected from one of four regions. The political culture favors consensus, and the parties coexist within the context of broad agreement on key issues, including the value of deep European integration. Religions is Roman Catholic 87%, other (includes Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 13% (2000). Languages is Luxembourgish (national language), German (administrative language), French (administrative language).

This stable, high-income economy - benefiting from its proximity to France, Belgium, and Germany - has historically featured solid growth, low inflation, and low unemployment. The industrial sector, initially dominated by steel, has become increasingly diversified to include chemicals, rubber, and other products. Growth in the financial sector, which now accounts for about 28% of GDP, has more than compensated for the decline in steel. Most banks are foreign owned and have extensive foreign dealings. Agriculture is based on small family-owned farms. The economy depends on foreign and cross-border workers for about 60% of its labor force. Although Luxembourg, like all EU members, suffered from the global economic slump in the early part of this decade, the country continues to enjoy an extraordinarily high standard of living - GDP per capita ranks third in the world, after Liechtenstein and Qatar. After two years of strong economic growth in 2006-07, turmoil in the world financial markets slowed Luxembourg's economy in 2008, but growth remained above the European average and is likely to remain so in 2009. Agriculture – products is wine, grapes, barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits; dairy products, livestock products. Industries is banking and financial services, iron and steel, information technology, telecommunications, cargo transportation, food processing, chemicals, metal products, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum, tourism.