Luxembourg
Luxembourg, officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, is a landlocked country in Western Europe. Its capital and most populous city, Luxembourg City, is one of the four institutional seats of the European Union and hosts several EU institutions, notably the Court of Justice of the European Union, the highest judicial authority in the EU.
Typical weather
1981–presentCity Rhythm
measuredOpening hours, by kind of place
median across mapped venuesVital absurdities
measured · the Anti-AwardsSame time system
by rhythmWhat to do each season
2winter
cool to cold, damp; mean 0.3-12.8 °C across the range, January avg min −2.1 °C, frosts common in the valley; precipitation year-round (~2.0-2.6 mm/day), high in late summer
- the Casemates underground fortifications (UNESCO-listed) carry the visitor economy through cold weather
- the Mudam and NMHA museum season runs; Christmas markets in the old city
- banking-Europe commuter flow steadies; summer holidays empty the institutions less than in Brussels
summer
warm, moderately humid; mean 14.6-18.9 °C, July/Aug mean max ~24 °C; late-summer precipitation peak
- the old-city fortification walk, the Pétrusse valley parks and the Grund district become usable
- free public transport (introduced Feb 2020) makes the whole region traversable at no marginal cost
- festival season: Fête Nationale (23 June), Printemps musical, Summer in the City
What it is known for
Important moments in a year
Fete Nationale
- national holiday
- torchlight procession
- fireworks from the Adolphe Bridge
Printemps Musical
- chamber-music festival across European-institution venues
Schueberfouer
- travelling funfair on the Glacis square — a 670-year tradition
Eurovision 2023
- one-off song contest hosting
- international crowds
On the record
source-trackedIts capital and most populous city, Luxembourg City, is one of the four institutional seats of the European Union and hosts several EU institutions, notably the Court of Justice of the European Union, the highest judicial authority in the EU.
Foreign nationals account for almost half the population.
Luxembourg is a representative democracy headed by a constitutional monarch, Grand Duke Guillaume V, making it the world's only remaining sovereign grand duchy.
The Old City of Luxembourg is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List, on account of the historical importance of its fortifications.
On 29 February 2020, Luxembourg became the first country to introduce no-charge public transportation, which is almost completely funded by public taxation.
There are 681 cars per 1000 persons in Luxembourg — higher than in most other states.
Luxembourg City reintroduced trams in December 2017.
A third of the capital is dedicated to green zones, aside from being surrounded by Guttland, which in itself is filled with barren forests.
Luxembourg City is home to a surprisingly high number of Michelin star establishments.
In 2011, according to the IMF, Luxembourg was the world's second-richest country, with a per capita GDP on a purchasing-power parity (PPP) basis of $80,119; by 2023 it was ranked first.
Luxembourgish, a Germanic language, is the only recognized national language of the Luxembourgish people and of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg; French is the sole language for legislation; and both languages along with German are used for administrative matters.
The method behind this atlas — 196 pp. Not published yet.