Introduction of Luxembourg

Willikommen auf Luxembourg

Luxembourg Is 998.6 sq mi and is smaller than Rhode Island which is 1214 sq mi

Here are some brief facts on Luxembourg

http://www.visitluxembourg.com/facts-figures.htm

Here is a link to the history of Luxembourg (use the side menu to move through history)

http://www.lcto.lu/en/rd/13/187/origins-city

Population, Health and Environment Data

The One Hundred Nationality Country

The population of luxembourg is about 500, 000 people, 497, 538 to be exact as of July 2010 census estimates. Out of this 500, 000, Luxembourge's great characteristic is its great capacity for integrating a large number of different nationalities. As of 2005, more than 150 different nationalities create the demographic richness of the Grand Duchy, making it one of the most diverse countries in the world!

With it having so much diversity, it shows within the population. As of 2005, its marked to be nearly 39% foreign. Dominant ethnicities responsible for the makeup of that 39% include Portugal leading at 12.8% (63,760), French 4.4% (21,880), Italian 3.8% (18.890), Belgian 3.2%(16.040) and German at 2.1% (10.320). Amazing to see so many different cultures reside in one country, and yet Luxembourg still remains with no known intercultural tensions as they all make up a great deal of the Luxembourgers world. To see that it is still considered one of the most safest places in the world is astonishing due to its high immigration.

Statistics

Luxembourgs births per death per 1000 is 11 to 7, while their rate of natural increase is 0.4. Over the next 15 years, Luxembourg is expected to increase its population to 600,000 people and 700,000 by 2050. this is not a big increase, so its growth is increasing slowly but surely in this small place. A 40% projected population change between now and 2050. While the infant mortality rate (1.8) and TFR (1.6) are very close. Most countries have nearly doubled some tripled there mortality rates compared to the TFR. The population's age for <15>

Luxembourg has a life expectancy of 80 years on average of both sexes. Men 78 and women 83, this already being pretty high can and will only increase due to the global aging phenomenon currently, and with luxembourgs TFR being so low, we can only expect it to continue the lates trend to decrease, whill will yield a much older older population within the next few decades. While 83% of the country is urban, you can expect the older people to reside in these areas.

HIV/AIDS does not affect the population greatly at all. There is only 0.2% as of 2001 and 2007-2008 that has HIV/AIDS ages 15-49. It being considered safe when dealing with data electronics for other businesses and markets, it is also safe sexually not possessing many diseases at all. With so many nationalities and immigration from so many different countries, its ironic to see that the diseases associated with the 100+ nationallities that now live in Luxembourg are not associated with Luxembourg .

Economy

This small, 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. The economy depends on foreign and cross-border workers for about 60% of its labor force. Luxembourg, like all EU members, suffered from the global economic crisis that began in late 2008. Following strong expansion from 2004 to 2007, Luxembourg's economy contracted 0.9% in 2008 and 3.9% in 2009. Nonetheless, the country continues to enjoy an extraordinarily high standard of living - GDP per capita ranks third in the world, after Liechtenstein and Qatar, and is the highest in the EU. Turmoil in the world financial markets and lower global demand during 2008-09 prompted the government to inject capital into the banking sector and implement stimulus measures to boost the economy. Government stimulus measures and support for the banking sector, however, led to a 5% government budget deficit in 2009.


Currency

Euro

Main industries

banking and financial services, iron and steel, information technology, telecommunications, cargo transportation, food processing, chemicals, metal products, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum, tourism

GDP
$38.37 billion (2009 est.)
$39.93 billion (2008 est.)
$40.31 billion (2007 est.)
note: data are in 2009 US dollars

GDP growth rate

-3.9% (2009 est.)

-0.9% (2008 est.)
5.2% (2007 est.)

GDP per capita
$78,000 (2009 est.)3rd in the world
$82,200 (2008 est.)
$83,900 (2007 est.)
note: data are in 2009 US dollars



GDP by sector

agriculture: 0.4%
industry: 13.6%
services: 86% (2007 est.)



Labor Force
208,000 of whom 125,400 are foreign cross-border workers commuting primarily from France, Belgium, and Germany (2009 est.)

Labor Force by sector

agriculture: 2.2%
industry: 17.2%
services: 80.6% (2007 est.)


Unemployment Rate
6.8% (2009 est.)

4.4% (2008 est.)

Culture

Luxembourg is similar to Germany Which is similar to the US. Here are some key things you might need to know about Luxembourg. Luxembourg is very proud of their art and architecture.

ETIQUETTE AND CUSTOMS

Meetings and Greetings

• Greetings are reserved and formal until a relationship has been established.
  
• The most common greeting is a brief handshake.


• Very close friends greet each other by lightly kissing on the cheeks three times, starting with the left cheek and alternating. This can be between women or a man and a woman. Men never kiss other men; they always shake hands
  
• Surnames with the honorific titles Monsieur or Madame are used in most social situations.
  
• Wait to be invited before using someone's first name and always use the formal pronoun for you, "vous" rather than the informal
  

Gift Giving Etiquette

• If you are invited to someone's home, bring a box of good chocolates or flowers to the hostess. . Invitations to tea are formal and require the same gift as would a dinner party


• Flowers should be given in odd numbers, but not 13, which is considered an unlucky number.


• Do not give chrysanthemums as they are used at funerals.


• A small gift for the children is always appreciated.


• Gifts are not usually opened when received if there are other guests present.
  

Traditions and Holidays

The annual high points of Luxembourg culture are the Oktav, the Revue and the Fouer, says a local comic. And in a way, he’s right. Three times a year, custom compels Luxembourgers from the country to go on a pilgrimage to their capital: to the Octave, for eight days of prayer dedicated to Our Lady, Consolatrix Afflictorum; to the Revue, a satirical revue of the political year; and to the Schueberfouer, or Fouer, a funfair during several weeks.
Take a closer look, and it’s clear that most holidays have developed out of the country’s religious tradition.

Luxembourg Also celebrates christian holidays like Christmas and Easter.

National Holiday

History tells us that Luxembourg has been independent, with a dynasty of its own, for a relatively short period of time. In the XIXth century, Luxembourgers celebrated their national holiday on Kinnéksdag (King’s Day: the birthday of the Dutch king). The new country’s first real patriotic holiday was Groussherzoginsgebuertsdag (the Grand Duchess’s Birthday). Grand Duchess Charlotte who reigned from 1919 to 1964 was born on 23 January, but to take advantage of the better summer weather, her birthday celebrations were postponed by six months, to 23 June. After Grand Duke Jean ascended the throne, 23 June became the official national holiday.

Burning the Buerg

Buergsonndeg is a tradition with a long, venerable past. The blaze symbolises the driving-out of winter, the beginning of spring and the triumph of warm over cold, of light over darkness. Some claim it is one of the last vestiges of the Inquisition, when witches were burned.

Geography

Located in between France, Germany, and Belgium Luxembourg is the smallest country in the European Union. Its total size is smaller than Rhode Island( the smallest state). Being completely landlocked it has no coastline but some rivers. the terrain is mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down to Moselle flood plain in the southeast. Luxembourg has three districts named Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg.

Here are some stats about Luxembourgs land geography.

Elevation extremes
lowest point: Moselle River 133 m
highest point: Buurgplaatz 559 m

Natural resources
iron ore (no longer exploited), arable land

Land Use
arable land: 27.42%
permanent crops: 0.69%
other: 71.89% (includes Belgium) (2005)

Total renewable water resources
1.6 cu km (2005)

Current Environmental Issues.
air and water pollution in urban areas, soil pollution of farmland.

Airports

2

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1
over 3,047 m

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 1
under 914 m

Pipelines
gas 155 km

Railways

total: 275 km country standard gauge:

275 km 1.435-m gauge (243 km electrified)

Roadways
total: 5,227 km country
paved: 5,227 km (includes 147 km of expressways)

Waterways

37 km (on Moselle River)

Government

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Luxembourg gained its independence from the Netherlands in 1839 and the government is a constitutional monarchy. That is, it is has a Grand Duke, a Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister and a Council of Ministers. The government operates based on civil law. Age of suffering is 18.

The people who hold the current positions.

Chief of state: Grand Duke HENRI (since 7 October 2000); Heir Apparent Prince GUILLAUME (son of the monarch, born 11 November 1981)

This is the current Grand Duke Henri.
He is the 9th Grand Duke (however, two were duchesses).

Head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Claude JUNCKER (since 20 January 1995); Deputy Prime Minister Jean ASSELBORN (since 31 July 2004)

Cabinet: Council of Ministers recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch

How does it work?

elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following popular elections to the Chamber of Deputies, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; the deputy prime minister appointed by the monarch; they are responsible to the Chamber of Deputies.

Luxembourg is part of the Europian Union, the United Nations, and NATO.

Constitutional roles

The Luxembourgian constitution defines the Grand Duke's position as the head of state, symbol of its unity, and guarantor of national independence. He exercises executive power in accordance with the constitution and laws of the country.

The Prime Minister is Head of the Government and used to be called the President of the Government. The Deputy Prime Minister takes over in the absence of the prime minister, much like our vice president.

Divisions

Luxembourg is divided into 3 districts: Diekirch (in peach), Grevenmacher (in green), and Luxembourg (in purple)

Each of these districts are called Administrative Divisions, that is they each manage themselves through their own local government. This is similar to states like the U.S. has.

Did You Know?

• Luxembourg is ranked as as the worlds safest city by the Renowned Mercer Survey "Quality of living Global city rankings"


• Luxembourg is the worlds 8th largest banking centre


• When talking about how private one personally may be, did you know Many Government Ministers list their direct lines in the local telephone directory?


• The 1997 movie "American Werewolf in Paris" was actually filmed in Luxembourg


• There are over 10 Major media and ICT companies established in Luxembourg that "YOU" are affiliated with in some degree. When you listen to music, buy your college books maybe, even shooping online, and most of all what is believed to be the new way to take over communication, Skype!
• 
  Skype, Ebay, Amazon, Pay Pal and itunes music are some of the ones you may be familiar with and probably use on a consitent basis like I do. Although some originiated in America and has been founded and headcourtered, they all have established their headcouters in Luxembourg in order to reach out and expand business throughout the world.
  
  Skype! a new way of revolutionizing how people communicate around the world. Founded in 2003, and originally headcourted in Luxembourg with offices in Europe, United States, and Asia, Skype has globally 370 milion registered users. Communicating through video calls and IM's. Skype is used in almost every country on Earth. When asked why Luxembourg? The answer lies withing personal interest and the Government.
  

"Coorporate headcourters always had an early
interest to invest in an EU- based company. in addition, the tax and legal
environment is clear and consistent and the governement has a pragmatic approach
to business. The other important factor is the location enables excellent access
to Europe."


• E-commerce is widely used in Luxembourg. Amongst the top European countries where online purchasing takes place most developed. In the EU, just over 50% of population with Internet access used it to make online purchases. In luxembourg 66% of its population used the internet to make online purchases. Majority buyers placed 1-5 orders making Luxembourg 6th of the EU in regards to E-commerce.

Other than the business assets, Luxembourg is a very welcoming place offering many advantages of quality of life and diversity. Considered the safest city in the world you can discover thriving cultural life, numerous sport activities, astonishing medieval castle sites, and most of all tasting the Wine!

Millennium Development Goals and Future Outlook

How is Luxembourg doing with the Millennium Development Goals set by the United Nations?

1. End Poverty and Hunger

a. Halve the proportion of people whose income is less than a $1/day
According to the World Population Data Sheet, there is no % of people
that make less than $2/day.

b. Achieve full and productive employment for all.
6.8% unemployment in 2009

c. Halve the proportion of people suffering from hunger.

2. Achieve Universal Primary Education
100% literacy rate

3. Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
Women go to school, same as men, there have been two Grand Duchesses, 16.7%
of parliament is women.

4.Reduce Child Mortality
1.8 infant mortality rate

5.Improve Maternal Health

a. Reduce maternal mortality rate by 2/3

b. Universal access to reproductive health

6. Combat AIDS, Malaria, and other diseases

a. Halted and reversed the spread of HIV/ AIDS
0.2 % of the population is infected with HIV/AIDS

b.Universal treatment of HIV/AIDS

c.Halted and reversed the spread of malaria and other diseases

7. Ensure Environmental Stability

a.Reverse loss of environmental resources

b.Reduce biodiversity loss
CO2 emissions are 23.6 metric tons per capita

c.Halve the proportion of people without safe drinking water

d.Achieved a significant improvement in at least 100 slum dwellers

8. Develop a Global Partnership for Development

a.Develop open, non discriminatory trading and financial system

b.Address the special needs of the less developed countries

c. Make available new technologies and communications



13% of the population is AT RISK of poverty, that is they live at 60% of the median income, 15,460 EUR a year.

Potential Problems in the Future

Luxembourg is mainly urban (83%) and expected to grow about 40% by 2050. It stands to reason that most of this increase will be in urban areas so there is a risk of over crowding.

Another big problem is the CO2 emissions. For a tiny country, they produce more CO2 emissions per capita than the U.S. does. They will also have more overall pollution in the urban areas as the population increases.

The growing financial crisis that is effecting Europe is having an impact on Luxembourg's economy as well.

With 13% of the population is at risk for poverty, and 6% unemployment rate and the financial crisis, there could be serious economic problems in the future.

Most of the population growth will be from immigration and since Luxembourg is doing so well compared to the rest of the world, there may be more immigrants than predicted.

TFR is at 1.6, less than replacement level which means there will be an aging population as a potential problem.