The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is found on the Western part of Europe and is bounded by Belgium, Germany, and France. Luxembourg forms the region known as the Low Countries along with Belgium and the Netherlands. The Grand Duchy has a total area of 2,586 square kilometers (998 square miles.) The country has a mean annual temperature of 10° Celsius (50° Fahrenheit). Generally, the country’s climate is considered fair.
The population of Luxembourg is mainly comprised of people of German and French descent. But although the people have diverse backgrounds, there are still characteristics unique to Luxembourg. The main cities, Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Differdange, Petange, and Dudelange, serve as cores of the country’s industrial production and hence, the Grand Duchy’s economic foundation.
Majority of Luxembourg’s population, roughly 95% of it, are Roman Catholics. Letzeburgesch or more popularly, Luxembourgian, is the country’s national language. Probably due to the physical proximity of Germany and France, the countries’ cultures coincide in several ways. As a simple and concrete example, French and German are also considered as official languages in Luxembourg. Illiteracy is virtually absent in the country since education is compulsory for children from ages 6 to 15.
Luxembourg actually ranks among the world’s most industrialized nations. It has a quite high standard of living. Being a constitutional hereditary monarchy, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is led by a Grand Duke or Duchess, who has the power and right to arrange the government, and is headed by a Prime Minister, along with at least three other ministers, appointed by the sovereign.