20 Amazing Interesting Facts About Luxembourg | Things To Do In Luxembourg

20 Amazing Interesting Facts About Luxembourg | Things To Do In Luxembourg

Luxembourg may be one of the world’s smallest countries, but there is a lot the rest of the world doesn’t know about it! From its award-winning wine and food to its ancient network of underground tunnels, there is much more to Luxembourg than meets the eye. Here’s a list of interesting facts about this tiny European nation that may surprise you.

1. Luxembourg is the second richest country in the world. Ranked by its GDP (gross domestic product) per capita of USD 92,049 (2014). According to the International Monetary Fund projections, Luxembourg will overtake Qatar to become the richest nation in the world in 2015 with a GDP per capita of USD 96,269.

2. Luxembourg is the only remaining Grand Duchy in the world with a Grand Duke as head of state.

3. Luxembourg has enough castles to equal one per every 100 square miles. Of the 110 that are known to have existed in the Middle Ages, about 75 still stand. You can drive an hour or walk a 37km trail through the Valley of the Seven Castles to see some of the best.

4. Luxembourgers are typically tri-lingual, with the country having three official languages: German, French, and Luxembourgish or Lëtzebuergesch, which has much the same syntax and grammar as German.

5. Luxembourg has the highest minimum wage in the EU. Paying workers a minimum of EUR 1,923 per month.

6. Luxembourg’s current Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, was the first gay EU leader to marry. He married his partner, Gauthier Destenay, in 2015.

7. Luxembourg is a landlocked country bordered by Belgium to the West, France to the South and Germany to the East.

8. Luxembourg is one of the safest countries in the world. According to a UN survey, you have less chance of being shot in Luxembourg than in any other country in the world. There are around 1,300 police and just two jails in Luxembourg.

9. Luxembourg City is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its amazing architecture might seriously amaze you.

10. The most beautiful balcony in Europe is actually in Luxembourg. Corniche is gazing out over a sheer 100ft drop overlooking the city.

11. The RTL Group, Europe’s largest entertainment network, is based in Luxembourg. It has interests in 55 TV channels and 29 radio stations worldwide.

12. Luxembourg was also among the six founders of the European Union together with Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands.

13. The restaurant with the world’s largest wine list is in Luxembourg. If you visit the Restaurant Chiggeri in the city of Luxembourg, you can take your pick from more than 2,200 different wines.

14. Luxembourg is the least populated of all the EU countries. It has a population of just over half a million people (563,000 in 2015) and is the 20th smallest of the world’s 194 independent countries.

15. The highest court in the EU in matters of EU law is located in Luxembourg. The Court of Justice of the European Union has 28 judges, one per EU member state.

16. A hive of business activity, Luxembourg City is actually home to the European headquarters of Paypal, Amazon, and Skype!

17. One of the country’s most famous attractions is the Bock Casemates, a 21-kilometer underground tunnel network.

18. Elisabeth, Duchess of Luxembourg, sold Luxembourg to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in 1443.

19. Even though the cost of living is generally high, Luxembourg’s petrol is one of the cheapest in the EU.

20. The city of Luxembourg is the capital of the country of Luxembourg. Built amid deep gorges cut by the Alzette and Pétrusse rivers, it’s famed for its ruins of medieval fortifications.

TOPICS >   | Facts | Luxembourg

LEAVE A COMMENT:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *