Few people know, but Luxembourg is even smaller than the smallest US state of Rhode Island! This small country in Western Europe has no borders with the sea, but there are many dense forests, hills and low mountains.
People inhabited Luxembourg during the time of the Roman Empire. However, his real story officially began in 963, when the Earl of Ardenne founded the Luxembourg Castle.
Luxembourg may be a very small country, but this does not mean that it is not worth visiting! From the historic capital to many castles and beautiful nature, Luxembourg has a lot to offer.
Want to know more about the country before your trip? We have prepared for you 10 interesting facts about Luxembourg that may surprise you.
10. Is the world's only Grand Duchy
The Grand Duchy is a country whose official ruler is the monarch. The ruler is awarded the title of Grand Duke or Grand Duchess depending on gender.
This name was first introduced in 1569 for Tuscany, a small area in Italy. Initially, it was used to designate land that was not large enough for international recognition as a kingdom, but had well-established and recognized political, economic or military structures. Back in the 1900s, there were as many as fourteen Grand Duchies in Europe. Luxembourg is the only remaining Grand Duchy in the 21st century.
9. The country has about 200 banks
At the end of 2017, there were 140 authorized banks in the Grand Duchy, which is the lowest since 1994. However, the total number of bank employees has reached the highest rate since 2008.
The number of employees reached approximately 26,000 in 2017. This is due to the fact that banks in Luxembourg serve two markets: their domestic market, as well as the international market.
For today there are about 200 banks in the state. It is ironic that, among the many banks, only seven belong to the country.
When looking at the number of banks in the country of origin, it becomes clear that some of all banks come from Germany, with other banking institutions, for example, from China, France and Switzerland.
8. Prime Minister Xavier Bettel is in a same-sex marriage
Xavier Bettel, 42, and Belgian architect Gauthier Destinet were among the first to marry legally, which entered into force in the Grand Duchy in January, and made it the last of nearly a dozen EU states to allow same-sex marriage.
7. Residents of the country speak three languages
According to an EU study, approximately 70% of Luxembourgers' native language is Luxembourgish (or Lëtzebuergesch, as they write it). At first it seems simple Germans speak German, French speak French, therefore Luxembourgers speak Luxembourgish. But upon further consideration, everything becomes a little more complicated, since there is no consensus on whether Luxembourg should be considered a separate language.
Nevertheless, throughout its turbulent history, Luxembourg often passed from German to French rule, fell into the hands of the Netherlands and was divided into parts.
It achieved full independence only in 1890, but was again occupied and annexed by Germany during world wars. Because of this story, formal languages were originally standard German and French. Luxembourgish became the national language quite recently - only in 1984. As a result the small state has three official languages: residents speak Luxembourgish, German and French.
6. The camp has an area called Little Switzerland
Often called Little Switzerland Luxembourg, Mullerthal - or Mellerdahl Luxembourgish - owes its name to a hilly landscape reminiscent of Switzerland.
Müllerthal is, first of all, a unique biotope, characterized by rock formations that are as seductive as they are amazing. This is a unique composition of rock and soil erosion that contributed to the creation of this landscape typical of Little Switzerland.
The capital of the Mullertal region, Echternach is the oldest city in Luxembourg. In 2010, Echternach gained an international reputation.
5. The old quarters of Luxembourg are listed by UNESCO
The fortifications of the old part of Luxembourg and its ancient quarters were part of UNESCO - World Cultural Heritage - since 1994. This urban unity combines historical, medieval, classical and modern architectural styles, like nowhere else.
The old city of the capital, located around the Bok casemates, tells about the 1000-year-old history of the fortress. Famous international architects and military engineer Vauban for centuries have contributed to the development of the fortification to such an extent that it was called Northern Gibraltar. The remains can still be visited today and are a unique tourist attraction.
4. Half of those working in Luxembourg come from other countries.
Most non-Luxembourg citizens traveling across the border, are French (78,500 workers), Belgians (39,400 workers) and Germans (39,100 workers).
3. Euthanasia is legal in Luxembourg
Assisted suicide and euthanasia have become legal in the country since 2009. By the end of 2018, 71 people decided to exercise this right.
The law is not aimed at those who want to end their lives for purely psychological reasons, i.e. the reason is not only that you no longer want to live. Rather, the law states that suicide assistance can be requested and provided when the patient’s suffering is considered unbearable.
In particular, requests may be made by a person who suffers from an incurable disease as a result of an injury or illness, the cause of which does not matter.
Patients who live abroad, but whose general practitioner is located in the Grand Duchy, can also take such measures and record them in their medical case, since the conditions of residence or citizenship are not attached to the law.
2. The country has the highest level of car ownership
Three quarters of Luxembourg residents own one or two cars, making the country a real “car paradise". The figures show some other interesting aspects related to car ownership in the Grand Duchy.
Statec analysis shows that 8% of families in Luxembourg own three cars, and 3% own four or more cars. In other words, this means that each of the ten Luxembourg households has three or more cars available for use (11%).
Another unsurprising indicator is that Luxembourg overtook France, Germany and Belgium in terms of car ownership. The French equivalent of Statec, INSEE, reports that 81% of families in metropolitan France have a car, compared with 86% in Luxembourg.
The share of Luxembourg rises to 88%, if we take into account the company's vehicles that can be used for personal purposes.
1. The restaurant with the world's largest wine list is located in Luxembourg
The restaurant in the Grand Duchy reached an impressive record in 2009. Chiggeri in Luxembourg holds the longest wine list with 1746 wines! The collector who collected this phonebook-level wine list was named the best sommelier student in France.
Today, thanks to Dino Totaro, secretary of the Association of Luxembourgers and Sommeliers and a member of the ASI international office, Chiggeri has established numerous contacts with major vineyards from Luxembourg, France and other countries.
Dino Totaro's passion for the authenticity, diversity and richness of the great wine territories is echoed in the new wine list, full of finds and favorites.
These magnificent wines produced by talented winemakers, Chiggeri tries to combine them with exquisite cuisine to give them their due.