Luxembourg country in Western Europe. In the north and west it borders with Belgium, in the east with Germany and in the south with France.

The name comes from the High German lucilinburch - "small town".

Official name: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Capital: Luxembourg

The area of ​​the land: 2,586 thousand sq. km

Total population: 480 thousand people

Administrative division: 3 districts, which, in turn, are divided into cantons, and those - into communes.

Form of government: A constitutional monarchy.

Head of State: Grand Duke of Luxembourg.

Composition of the population: 30% Luxembourgers, 36.9% Portuguese, 13.5% Italians, 11.2% French, 8.9% Belgians and 6.8% Germans.

Official language: Luxembourgish (a dialect of German with elements of French), French and German.

Religion: 90% - Catholics, there are Protestants.

Internet domain: .lu, .eu

Mains voltage: ~230 V, 50 Hz

Phone country code: +352

Country barcode: 540 - 549

Climate

In terms of climatic features, Luxembourg is similar to the Netherlands and Belgium. Summers are warm, the average July temperature is 17 ° C. In winter, positive temperatures prevail, but in the foothills of the Ardennes there are sometimes frosts - up to -15 ° C. During the year, 760 mm of precipitation falls on average in the city of Luxembourg, partly in the form of snow. In the north of the country, the average annual precipitation increases to 850–900 mm, and snowfalls are more frequent. Hail often falls in the valleys of the Moselle and the lower reaches of the Sur.

Geography

The country is located in Western Europe, between 6 ° 10 "East and 49 ° 45" North latitude. It borders in the east with Germany (138 km), in the south with France (73 km) and in the west with Belgium (148 km). In the east, the country is limited by the Moselle River. The relief is mainly a hilly elevated plain, in the north of which the spurs of the Ardennes rise (the highest point is Burgplatz, 559 m.). The total area of ​​the country is about 2.6 thousand square meters. km. The capital is also called Luxembourg, as is the neighboring province of Belgium, which covers a larger area than the Duchy of Luxembourg.

The territory of Luxembourg can be divided into 2 parts - northern (Esling) with spurs of the Ardennes and southern (Gutland - "good land"). The southern half of Luxembourg is a continuation of the Lorraine Plateau and is characterized by an undulating cuesta relief. Here the relief is represented by a system of ridges and ledges, gradually lowering to the east. Cultural landscapes predominate. In the north of the country, in Essling, occupied by the foothills of the Ardennes, a strongly dissected relief is developed with heights up to 400–500 m.

The highest point is Burgplatz (559 m). Soils in the north are composed of quartz and slate rocks, which are infertile. In the south - fertile loamy soils.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

More than 1/3 of the territory of Luxembourg is occupied by oak and beech forests. They are concentrated in Essling and the northern part of Gutland. In the upper parts of the slopes of the Ardennes, larch and spruce appear. In some places there are heaths and peat bogs. In Luxembourg, such heat-loving plants as walnut, apricot, holly, boxwood, dogwood, barberry are cultivated in gardens and parks.

Animal world

The animal world is severely depleted. Hares can be seen on arable land, and individual individuals of roe deer, chamois and wild boars can be seen in the forest thickets. Lots of squirrels live here. Birds include wood pigeons, jays and buzzards, as well as pheasants. Sparrowhawk became a rare guest. Hazel grouse and capercaillie live in dense forest thickets. Trout is found in the rivers and streams of Essling.

Attractions

The first mention of Luxembourg dates back to 963, at that time it was known as "Luklinburhuk", which in the local dialect meant "little castle". A person who first came to this tiny country is struck by the variety of landscapes that fit in such a small area, as well as the originality of the traditions and way of life of the locals.

From the strongest fortress in Europe, Luxembourg, built by the French Marshal Vauban and destroyed in 1868, many buildings have survived to this day - separate walls with loopholes, some of the fortress gates (for example, the original Three Doves gate, the Trev gate and etc.), long passages and casemates in the bowels of the rock, the towers "Three Acorns" along the edges of the rocky platform above the cliff and the citadel of the Holy Spirit. Near the square, on the site of ancient fortifications, there is a park, which on the other side ends with a cliff, from which a wonderful view of the ancient suburb of Bokk and the ruins of the castle opens.

Of interest is the garden of the Spanish governor Ernst Mansfeld (end of the 16th century), the labyrinth of old houses of the National Museum of History and Art, the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1751), Notre Dame Cathedral (Our Lady, 1613-1621), famous for its majestic sculptures and the tomb of the Grand Dukes, as well as the tomb of the King of Bohemia and Count of Luxembourg John the Blind. It is worth visiting the Refugium of the Trier Abbey of St. Maximin (1751), the former Jesuit College (1603-1735, now the National Library is located here), the Town Hall building (1830-1838), the Church of Saint-Michel (built in the 10th century . and rebuilt in the 16th century), the chapel of St. Quirin (XIV century), the Church of St. John on the Stone (XVII century), the bastion of the Holy Spirit, the Casino (1882) and many other monuments of history and culture.

One of the places of pilgrimage for tourists is the former underground defensive systems of the Bock and La Petrus casemates, in which 35 thousand people took refuge during the Second World War. Above the Bock casemates on the rock lie the ruins of the first count's fortress. During the tourist season, the main bridges and buildings, as well as all the ancient fortifications, are artfully illuminated.

Royal Boulevard and the Ring of Parks, densely built up with dozens of buildings of banks, offices and shopping centers, surround the ancient center of the city in a semicircle. There are two pedestrian streets departing from Gamilius Square - Post Street and Monterey Avenue. Nearby is Arm Square - once a meeting place for young Luxembourgers (now there is a pedestrian zone and dozens of restaurants and bistros), which was "replaced" in this role by Gamilius Square.

Also of interest here are the Waldbilig chapel, a small passage on Wilhelm II Square, the City Hall building, the National Monument of Solidarity with the Eternal Flame, etc. You can see the old quarters of Gron (Stadgro), Dinselpyurt, Klosen, Pfafendal and others, or visit the ancient Benedictine monastery of Münster with a church St. John the Baptist, the building of the Palace of European Justice in the Kirchberg district, the Central Archive of the Grand Duchy in the building of the old arsenal, as well as the Fish Market Square and see the many old houses of the local bourgeoisie, most of which are made in a very original architectural style.

Banks and currency

Since January 2002, the official currency of Luxembourg has been the euro. 1 euro is equal to 100 cents. In circulation are banknotes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, as well as coins of 1 and 2 euros and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.

Banks are open on weekdays from 9:00 to 16:00 with a lunch break from 12:00 to 14:00. On weekends, banks are open until 12:00. Most exchange offices are open throughout the week.

You can exchange foreign currency in banks and currency exchange offices located at banks, railway stations, hotels and airports. Banks offer better exchange rates.

Credit cards and traveler's checks are accepted everywhere. Some stores only accept credit cards for purchases over €100.

Useful information for tourists

Luxembourgers give the impression of being reserved and overly reserved (most locals live in small families and prefer their own homes), although this is not entirely true. In communicating with visitors, the inhabitants of the country are extremely polite and correct, they also easily come to the aid of a tourist in any difficult situation.

In Luxembourg, there is practically no tradition of "nightlife", and the entertainment industry is aimed mainly at foreigners.

In the spring, the country widely celebrates Shepherds' Day with a colorful procession and carnival. Luxembourg is famous for its Moselle wines. Flower shows are held annually.

You can freely move around the country, but you should carefully monitor the observance of the rights of private properties - crossing the latter, and even more so arranging on a private territory for an overnight stay, fishing or collecting plants, is possible only with the permission of the owner or tenant. Otherwise, the police have the right to apply any measures of influence, up to detention and expulsion from the country.

Tipping in most establishments is 10%, in a taxi the amount is rounded up.

Territory of Luxembourg- 2586 km2, elevation difference - 428 m. The northern part is higher, the southern part is low-lying (Red Lands).

The relief is mostly flat, in the north there are small uplands of the Ardennes, in the southern part the Luxembourg Plateau is distinguished. The highest point is the Kneiff hill [(560 m), the lowest is the confluence of the Sauer into the Moselle in the Wasserbillig (132 m).

From the point of view of geology Luxembourg is divided into two parts: Oesling in the north, about 555 meters above sea level, which is a spur of the Ardennes and occupies almost a third of the country, all covered with forests and amazingly beautiful, and the Good country (Good country) in the south, with alternating forests and agricultural land, located at 426 meters above sea level.

One of the eastern borders is wine-growing Moselle valley, and in the south-east of the country there is a narrow strip of red earth, which is nothing more than an ore region of Luxembourg.

Several rivers cross the country, the largest of them is the Moselle, which is all cut up by canals and has access to the largest European waterways. The river network is dense and branched. The rivers of Luxembourg belong to the Rhine basin. In the southern part Luxembourg there are deposits of iron ore.

Relief of Luxembourg

The relief is mostly smooth highlands with wide deep valleys; the highlands pass in the north into small mountains, and in the southeast it sharply descends into the valley of the Mosell River.

overgrown with forests Ardennes mountains stretch through the northern regions of the country, and the Sauer and Moselle rivers form its eastern border.

The south of Luxembourg is occupied mainly by a hilly plain, in the north - by the spurs of the Ardennes. The rivers belong to the Moselle basin. Several reserves, part of a natural national park located in Germany.

Southern half of Luxembourg Gutland- is a continuation of the Lorraine plateau and is characterized by a wavy cuesta relief. A system of ridges and ledges is expressed here, gradually lowering to the east.

Cultural landscapes predominate. In the north of the country, in Essling, occupied by the foothills of the Ardennes, a strongly dissected relief is developed with heights up to 400–500 m.

The highest point is Burgplatz (559 m). The largest river of Luxembourg - Sur (Sauer) - originates in Belgium and flows to the east, then after confluence with Ur to the southeast and south and flows into the Moselle.

The Alzete, a southern tributary of the Sur, flows through the capital city of Luxembourg and the industrial cities of Esch-sur-Alzete, Mersch and Ettelbrück.

Climate of Luxembourg

As for the weather, Luxembourg does not shine with special variety. Luxembourg is dominated by a temperate type of climate, transitional from maritime to continental - it is characterized by wet winters and cool summers.

The hottest month is July, at this time during the daytime the air warms up to 22..24 degrees of heat, and at night it is about +12..+14 degrees. Winter here is mild, the coldest month is January. In January, during the day the air temperature fluctuates from 1 to 3 degrees of heat, at night - from -3 to -1 degrees.

The average temperature in January is 0 °С, in July - about + 17 °С. Snow often falls in the Ardennes in winter. The sunniest months are from May to August, but it is also sunny in the first half of September.

During the year, 760 mm of precipitation falls in the south of the country, and the largest amount of precipitation falls in the north of the country - up to 900 mm, snowfalls are frequent here in winter. Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year, small maxima are observed in May, June and November, December.

A small country in Western Europe is Luxembourg. Despite its miniature size, the state has a rich history, a unique culture and a very patriotic population. Luxembourg has a high quality of life, which has a positive effect on the demographics of the country.

Geography

It is not easy to see Luxembourg on the map of Europe. The capital, the area, the population can be characterized in very small numerical terms. The area of ​​the country, for example, is only 2,586.4 km². Next to such neighbors as Belgium, Germany and France, the country, of course, looks very modest. However, the state and the population, for whom Luxembourg is a beloved Motherland, are very proud that they manage to maintain sovereignty surrounded by such powerful countries.

The relief of the country is predominantly hilly, which in the north rests on the Ardennes mountains. The main waterway of the state is its tributaries. There are also several medium-sized reservoirs flowing here. If you look at the map of Luxembourg, it becomes clear that the country is predominantly populated. The free territory (about 20% of the total area) is occupied by dense forests and rivers. The climate here is temperate, influenced by the close Atlantic. Luxembourgers often compare their state with Switzerland, claiming that they have similar living conditions. However, the mountains are smaller here, and the climate is more temperate.

Settlement history

The territory on which modern Luxembourg is located was inhabited already in ancient times. Archaeologists have found a lot of evidence that already in the Upper Neolithic there were human settlements here. A settled population appears around the 13th century BC. Later Gauls and Franks lived here. During this period, the population of Luxembourg was small. Actually, the history of the country begins in the Middle Ages, when a protective fort was created here in the 10th century. At this time, a gradual mass settlement of the territory begins. This piece of land has been inherited for several centuries by several aristocratic families in Europe. Castles, cities are being built here, the population density is growing. Soon the country takes on a modern look.

State of Luxembourg

Luxembourg - a state whose population is of interest because of its size - has all the attributes of a modern country. From the point of view of the political structure, the state is a constitutional monarchy. The main person in the state is the Grand Duke, today it is Henri, or Heinrich (in the German manner), from the royal family of Nassau. He has the right to accept and dismiss the government, to interfere in legislative activity, to represent the country at the highest levels. In addition, it may have some impact on the work of deputies.

However, in reality, all legislative power remains with the parliament, and the executive - with the government. The Duke is only the face of the country. The state is established Thanks to democratic elections, parliament is elected. The state of Luxembourg has a lot of weight in it. Several institutions of a united Europe are located here, including the treasury. In 1867, the permanent neutrality of the state was proclaimed. And only in order to join the united Europe, the country decided to give up part of its sovereignty.

Territorial division

The country is divided into three districts, which, in turn, are divided into cantons, and those - into communes. The main population of Luxembourg lives in cities. In total, there are 12 cantons in the state, each of which heads a large settlement. The largest city is the capital of the same name. Its population is about 100 thousand people. The second largest is the city of El-sur-Alzette. Its population is approximately 30 thousand. Next come the almost equal Differdange and Dudelange, slightly short of 20 thousand each. In other cities, less than 10 thousand people live. The smallest town is Vianden. Only 1.5 thousand inhabitants live here.

Traditions and culture

The population, demography, religion, traditions, customs, culture of Luxembourg is a subject for a long discussion and research. Briefly, it can be noted that local features were formed under the strong influence of the nearest neighbors, especially Germany and France. The culture of the Netherlands also had a certain impact. Despite a rather short independent history, the population, for whom Luxembourg is their beloved homeland, is very patriotic and diligently maintains its national identity. Since the state was formed on the basis of a Christian monastery, the canons of faith are still very strong here.

Approximately 70% of the population professes Catholicism, but Orthodox, Jews, Protestants and Anglicans coexist in peace and harmony with them. The most beloved and widely celebrated holiday in the country is Easter. On this day, national dishes are prepared, festivals and concerts are held. The cuisine of Luxembourg is peculiar, although the features of neighboring countries can be seen in it. The locals love meat and know how to cook it, and there are a lot of pastries, cheeses and unique Moselle wines on their tables. The country's population is distinguished by healthy conservatism. Here they do not really like innovations and revere traditions. Also, the residents are extremely polite.

Language

Close proximity to several large countries causes the population to be polyglots. The official languages ​​of Luxembourg are German and French. This allows the inhabitants of the country to easily communicate with their neighbors. In 1982, Luxembourgish, which is a Moselle-Frankish dialect, received the status of an official language. It is owned by all the locals. It is on it that they prefer to talk in everyday life. Today, integration into greater Europe forces residents to learn English. And young people speak it freely. But people in small villages may not understand this language at all.

Ethnic composition

Recent statistics of the population of Luxembourg suggests that 60% of its composition are native Luxembourgers. These are the descendants of the Celtic tribes with a large admixture of Germanic and Frankish blood. There are also many people from Germany, Belgium and France living in the country. The Dutch diaspora is quite numerous. In recent years, Luxembourg has experienced a large influx of immigrants from Italy and Portugal. In connection with the latest events in the Middle East, the country expects the appearance of Syrian refugees, but so far their number has not reached a significant figure. The government is taking certain actions to prevent a large flow of visitors. Therefore, nothing threatens the number of the indigenous population so far.

Population dynamics

The main value of the country is the population of Luxembourg. The population has grown more than 100 times over 300 years of observation of growth dynamics. Today, more than 500 thousand people live in the country. And sociologists predict a further increase in population. On average, the dynamics of the country changes as follows: about 18 children are born here every day. 12 people die every day. Also, an average of 30 emigrants come to Luxembourg every day.

Today, the country has one of the highest population densities in Europe. And experts say that this figure will only grow, especially as a result of today's density - more than 156 people per square kilometer. For example, in Russia this figure is calculated as 8.5, and in France - 116.

Demographics

Today, the population of Luxembourg is growing by just over 2,000 people a year. At the same time, the growth is mainly provided by emigrants, since the birth rate here, as in all of Europe, is not very high. So, over the past 100 years in the country, this figure has decreased from 31 to 11 people per 1,000 inhabitants. But in the state there is a steady increase in life expectancy. It is today: for men - 73 years, for women - 80 years. This is slightly higher than the global average. Sociologists estimate the dependency ratio in the country, that is, the number of disabled people. It includes people under 15 and over 65 years of age. This figure is 49.5. It is considered quite low, since the number of able-bodied population is quite able to feed the dependents. The pension load factor is 22%.

Speaking about age indicators, it should be noted that Luxembourg belongs to the prosperous rejuvenating type of states. The number of young people here prevails over the elderly by about 15%, and the largest number are residents of working age. The sex ratio in Luxembourg is generally in line with the European trend. At birth, the number of boys slightly outnumbers girls, and at the age of 65, the number of men is almost a third less than that of women.

Employment

The country has a fairly large number of inhabitants. The population, for whom Luxembourg is the place of permanent residence, is experiencing some difficulties in finding employment. The unemployment rate is 6.6. This is due to the fact that labor migrants come to the country every year, whose number reaches 50% of the able-bodied population. About 80% of the population is employed in the service sector, a large proportion of which are catering and tourism. About 18% work in the field of industrial production, in agriculture - only 2.5%.

A country's economy

Luxembourg, which is about 100 thousand dollars, is one of the richest countries in the world. Local residents are accustomed to a high standard of living and do not want to part with it. Today, the country has one of the best medical services in Europe. The government constantly cares about the quality of education and the living conditions of its population. The country has a fairly low unemployment rate and low inflation. Today, the crisis leaves its mark on economic indicators, but they are quite optimistic.

The country is actively developing industry. If earlier the main source of income was the steel industry, today the chemical industry is developing, the production of products is growing. The biggest problem for the Luxembourg economy is the huge external debt. It is 80% of GDP. The government is trying to reduce economic risks by actively diversifying production and promoting entrepreneurship.

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Introduction 3

1. General characteristics of Luxembourg. 4

2. The political position of Luxembourg in the European Union. 7

3. The economic position of Luxembourg in the European Union. 10

Conclusion 18

Literature 19

Introduction

Luxembourg is the 3rd foreign investor in Russia, and the total investment in 2005 is 16,101 million dollars. There is also a gradual combination of production between Luxembourg and Russia in various areas. In turn, Russian companies are showing interest in Luxembourg as one of the main financial centers in Europe. And as the Russian investment climate improves, our market presents great opportunities for both directions. But attracting investments from Luxembourg to the Russian economy depends on solving a number of problems facing the Russian economy, improving the legislative framework and adopting a package of laws regulating investment activities in Russia. In terms of economic development, the level and quality of life, the number of cars per capita, and social guarantees, the country has been a leader in Western Europe for many years, leading in two indicators - the share of GDP per capita and purchasing power. Luxembourg's macroeconomic indicators for 2005 testify to a kind of economic development model for a European state with record economic growth rates for the country. Today, Luxembourg is one of the most active participants in economic integration, not only in Europe, but throughout the world.

1. General characteristics of Luxembourg.

Luxembourg is a country in Western Europe. In the north and west it borders with Belgium, in the east - with Germany, in the south - with France. The total length is 359 km, the length of the borders with Belgium is 148 km, France is 73 km, and Germany is 138 km. Together with Belgium and the Netherlands, Luxembourg is part of the so-called Benelux. It is a union of three countries founded in 1948. The capital city is also called Luxembourg, as is the neighboring province of Belgium, which occupies a larger area than the Grand Duchy, whose population is 90 thousand people. Administratively, it is divided into districts, which, in turn, are divided into cantons, and cantons - into communes. The area of ​​the state of Luxembourg is measured at about 2.6 thousand square kilometers. The spurs of the Ardennes protrude into the northern regions of the country, and the Moselle and Sur rivers form its eastern border. The south of the country, with its green pastures and fertile arable land, is called Bon Pez ("good lands"). The population in this country is about 429 thousand people, mainly Luxembourgers live here, about 32% of the population are foreigners - Germans, French, Italians, Portuguese and others. Luxembourgers (Lötzeburger - self-name) - the people, the main population of Luxembourg. They also live in Italy, Germany and France. They speak the Luxembourgish language of the Germanic group of the Indo-European family. German and French are also widely spoken. Writing based on the Latin alphabet. The vast majority of believers are Catholics, there are Protestants. 1 In the 1st millennium BC, the territory of Luxembourg was inhabited by Celtic tribes, which were Romanized during the Roman domination in the first centuries of our era. In the 5th century, it was captured by the Germanic tribes of the Franks, who assimilated the local population. The ethnic consolidation of the Luxembourgers was facilitated by the emergence of statehood - the county of Luxembourg (X century, from the XIV century - the duchy). In the Middle Ages, they experienced German and French influence, and the French language has spread since the 15th century. At the same time, Luxembourgers retain their ethnic identity. Luxembourg is a constitutional monarchy. The inheritance right belongs to the Nassau family. The legislative body - the Chamber of Deputies - consists of 60 members elected by direct vote for a 5-year term. Administrative power is mainly in the hands of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers. Luxembourg is a member of the UN, NATO, EU and a number of other international organizations, has agreements on military cooperation with Belgium and the Netherlands. In the 1990s, Luxembourg was one of the wealthiest Western countries with a highly developed economy. The basis of the economy is primarily a developed service sector, including in the financial sector. In 2004, the gross domestic product (GDP) was estimated at $57,900 per capita (against $26,556 in Belgium and $43,233 in Switzerland). On a purchasing power parity basis, per capita spending in Luxembourg was $16,827 (in the US, $17,834). Annual GNP growth in the early 1990s averaged 5.5%, well above the EU average. Banking plays an important role in the economy of Luxembourg, and considerable attention is paid to the creation of telecommunications networks and the production of audio and video equipment. Chemical products, machines, plastics, fabrics, glass, and porcelain are produced. Many new businesses have been created by large US firms. For foreign companies, a very attractive factor is that local workers know several languages. Almost all energy consumed in Luxembourg is imported, including oil, natural gas, coal. Banking and financial services became the main economic activity, which in 1995 concentrated 31.9 of GDP and 9.2% of employees. Luxembourg is one of the financial centers of Europe, and in 1995 there were offices of 220 foreign banks, who were attracted by the most favorable banking laws adopted in the late 1970s in the EU, guaranteeing the secrecy of deposits. However, the harmonization of laws in the EU countries, carried out in 1993, somewhat offsets the advantages of Luxembourg over other countries of the union. In 1992, the total holdings of Luxembourg's financial institutions rose to $376 billion, mostly in US dollars and German marks. In 1994, there were 12,289 holding companies operating in the country. Until 2002, Luxembourg franc and Belgian franc circulated in Luxembourg. The currency was issued by the Luxembourg Monetary Institute, which takes care of the financial sector. The central bank is the National Bank of Belgium. Since January 1, 2002, the currency of Luxembourg has been the Euro (EURO). Luxembourg's foreign trade is linked to that of Belgium, and the National Bank of Belgium handles Luxembourg's international operations. The state is highly dependent on foreign trade. Most of the industrial output is exported, with 1/3 of it being metals and finished products. Luxembourg fully imports energy resources for industry - coal and oil; cars, textiles, cotton, foodstuffs and agricultural machinery are also imported. Until the mid-1970s, the trade balance was usually positive, with export earnings exceeding import spending, but cutbacks in steel production changed the balance substantially. In 1995, the value of exports was $7.6 billion and the value of imports was $9.7 billion. The trade balance is reduced by large financial sector revenues. The main foreign trade partners of Luxembourg are the EU countries. 2 The main industries are banking, steel, metallurgy, food processing, chemicals, engineering, tire, glass and aluminum. Agro-industrial products are barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits and wine grapes. Processed steel products, chemicals, rubber products, glass, aluminum, other industrial products are exported to countries such as Germany 33%, France 20%, Belgium 12%, UK 6%, USA 5%, Netherlands 4%. Minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods - imported goods from countries such as Belgium 36%, Germany 27%, France 12%, the Netherlands 5%, USA 4%. Thus, over time, due to the improvement of the global economic situation and the strengthening of European integration processes, Luxembourg begins to reach a stable position of economic growth, gradually establishing industrial and agricultural sectors, and occupies one of the main places in the financial industry.

2. The political position of Luxembourg in the European Union.

The political system of Luxembourg is a constitutional monarchy. The inheritance right belongs to the Nassau family. Since November 1964, the country was ruled by Grand Duke Jean, who inherited the throne from Grand Duchess Charlotte. In September 2000 Jean abdicated in favor of his son Prince Henri. Council members hold their positions for the rest of their lives. Although the council is the duke's highest advisory body on matters of legislation and law, the duke can nevertheless amend laws passed by the chamber of deputies (parliament) and even temporarily veto laws. The constitution, adopted on October 16, 1868, changed in 1919 and several more times after 1948. The head of state is the Grand Duke. According to the constitution, he alone exercises executive power; determines the procedure for organizing the government into its composition, approves and promulgates laws, appoints civil and military posts, commands the armed forces, concludes international treaties, etc. In fact, all executive power belongs to the government, appointed by the Grand Duke, consisting of a chairman (minister of state) and ministers. The highest body of legislative power is the unicameral parliament (chamber of deputies), elected by the population for 5 years by general direct elections according to the system of proportional representation. The right to vote is granted to all citizens who have reached the age of 18. Management in the districts is carried out by commissioners, in the cantons - by burgomasters. The organs of self-government in communes are elected councils. The judiciary includes magistrates, district courts and the Supreme Court. Legal advisory body and highest administrative court - Council of State appointed by the Grand Duke. The legislative body - the Chamber of Deputies - consists of 60 members elected by direct vote for a 5-year term. Administrative power is mainly in the hands of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers. The party that forms the government must have a majority of seats in the Chamber of Deputies. All adult citizens are required to vote. Voting rights were granted to women in 1919. The Chamber of Deputies is elected by a system of proportional representation from four constituencies. Luxembourg is divided into 12 cantons. The largest in the country - the Christian Social People's Party - is Catholic, has existed since the 1870s, protects the interests of the wealthy segments of the population. The Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party is a social democratic, founded in the 1890s, is part of the Socialist International and relies on trade unions. The liberal political movement was represented before the Second World War by the Radical Liberal Party, and since 1947 by the Liberal Party. Other political parties are the Communist Party of Luxembourg, the Greens, etc. The HSNP has been the largest party in Luxembourg since 1919; she led all governments in the period before World War II. From 1945 to 1947 the country was ruled by a broad coalition of the Christian Social People's Party, the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party, the Communist Party and liberals from the Patriotic Democratic Movement. Until 1958 and in 1964 - 1968 KhSNP led government cabinets in a bloc with the Socialists, in 1959-1964 and 1969-1974 in a coalition with the Democrats. In 1974, the Democrats and Socialists managed to remove the HSNP from power, but the center-left alliance lasted only 5 years. Since then, Luxembourg has once again been ruled by cabinets led by the HSNP; the LSRP (1979-1999) was in coalition with it. In the general elections in June 1999, the ruling KhSNP and LSWP failed: they received 19 and 13 seats out of 60, respectively, losing 2 and 4 seats. On the contrary, the Democrats strengthened their positions, taking 15 seats in parliament (3 more than in 1994). The association of pensioners won 7 seats, 5 - the Greens, 1 - the bloc of the left. After the elections, a new government was formed from representatives of the HSNP and the Democratic Party, led by Jean-Claude Juncker. 3 Thus, the political situation and the state structure are at a stable level, which brings a well-developed system of government, the judiciary, etc. This, in turn, allows Luxembourg's other partner countries to be confident in the stability of relations between them.

3. The economic position of Luxembourg in the European Union.

Luxembourg's accession to the European Union, as one of the six founding countries, must be viewed in terms of the long-awaited start of the revival and prosperity of its economic status. And now, more than ever, European integration is the main mechanism of Luxembourg's foreign policy. Now, when national contradictions are becoming more and more aggravated, the EU is the best guarantee of peace and stability in Europe. The integration changes taking place within the political and economic systems of the EU member states contribute to strengthening and maintaining the functions, powers and competitiveness of the European Union throughout the world. "The formation of the European Union is an essential contribution to accelerating the process of globalization of economic, political and social systems." This trend is most applicable to relatively small countries like Luxembourg. The development of European integration affects the strengthening of the ability of Luxembourg and other countries similar to it to directly and indirectly influence the economic, political and social component of other states. Today, Luxembourg is a center of international contacts. On the territory of the country there are about 1000 public and private branches or headquarters of international organizations and communities, such as the EU, NATO, Benelux and others. The prosperity and development of Luxembourg has always depended to a large extent on foreign trade. Beginning with the creation of the Belgian-Luxembourg Economic Union in 1921, the country has been step by step on the path of European unification. As a member of the Benelux, it becomes one of the forerunners of the EU. In 1944 The member countries of the Benelux Union, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Belgium, have concluded a mutual agreement on the abolition of mutual import duties and on the application of a single customs tariff when trading with third countries. Created in 1957 The European Economic and Nuclear Communities, led by the aforementioned EU member states, have continued the further trend towards the formation of a single European state and are now one of the most active participants in the European Monetary Union. In addition, it is important to note that Luxembourg's membership in the EU has significantly facilitated the processes related to the country's international trade: import and export of goods, raw materials and services. Thus, the position of Luxembourg in the EU was marked by a new and more successful period in the development of the country's economy, which is characterized by an increase in GDP, an improvement in the standard of living of the population, an increase in social security, and more open international trade.

Position of Luxembourg in foreign trade

In the Luxembourg economy, after a long period of stagnation that began in 2001, there was some recovery in business activity. This process practically did not affect the state of the country's foreign trade. On the contrary, in Luxembourg, a slight decrease in export-import operations was recorded, the volumes of which remained almost at the level of 2002 indicators. 4 In 2003, Luxembourg's main trading partners have traditionally been EU member states. In the reporting period, they accounted for 87.85% of the total foreign trade turnover of Luxembourg, while the export of Luxembourg goods to the EU countries accounted for 84.13% of the total export of Luxembourg, and the import of goods from the EU - 90.66% of the total import volume countries. According to STATEK (Luxembourg's statistical agency that keeps records of the country's foreign trade statistics), Luxembourg's foreign trade turnover amounted to 19.37 billion euros, which is 218.2 million euros lower than in the same period in 2002 (down by -1.11% ). The balance of the country's foreign trade balance for the period of 2003 was negative and amounted to -2.69 billion euros, which, nevertheless, is better than the figure for 2002. (-2.88 billion euros). Luxembourg's trade deficit narrowed by -6.6% or €190.5 million compared to the same period in 2002. This was largely due to a larger decline in Luxembourg's imports of foreign goods compared to a slight decrease in Luxembourg's exports of goods abroad. . In 2004, exports of Luxembourg goods amounted to 8.34 billion euros, which is -0.17% lower than the figure for the same period in 2003 (8.35 billion euros). Luxembourg imports of goods decreased by -1.82%, amounting to 11.03 billion euros (against 11.24 billion euros in the same period in 2003). According to the estimates of the Russian Trade Representation in Belgium and Luxembourg, in 2004 Luxembourg's foreign trade turnover reached 21.2 billion euros, which, however, is lower than in 2003. At the same time, exports amounted to 9.1 billion euros, imports - 12.1 billion euros. The volume of Luxembourg's exports of such products as raw hides (+10.93%), textiles and textile products (+9.04%), chemical industry products (+6.36%), precious stones and metals and products from them also increased ( +2.93%), as well as foodstuffs and agricultural raw materials (+1.87%). The export of metals and metal products increased slightly (+0.25%). Exports of mineral products decreased (-14.22%), exports of products in the commodity group "other goods" (-12.94%), stone and glass products (-5.78%), machinery, equipment and vehicles decreased (-3.16%), as well as wood and pulp and paper products (-1.93%). Quantitative changes also affected Luxembourg imports of goods. Luxembourg imports of precious stones, metals and their products increased significantly (+25.26%). Imports of products also increased in such commodity groups as products of the “other goods” commodity group (+8.11%), foodstuffs and agricultural raw materials (+7.97%), metals and products from them (+6.77% ), stone and glass products (+5.59%), chemical products (+3.51%), mineral products (+2.41%), wood and pulp and paper products (+2.14%), and also textiles and textile products (+0.18%). Imports of machinery, equipment and vehicles decreased (-12.08%) and imports of raw hides (-5.14%). There were no structural changes in Luxembourg's trade turnover. The main items of Luxembourg exports were: machinery, equipment and vehicles (33.55%, 2797.85 million euros); metals and products from them (27.16%, 2265.31 million euros); chemical industry products (14.88%, 1241.17 million euros); foodstuffs and agricultural raw materials (7.40%, 617.36 million euros); textiles, textiles and footwear (5.90%, €491.73 million); wood and pulp and paper products (4.55%, €379.25 million); stone products, ceramic products, glass (3.93%, 327.35 million euros). The rest of Luxembourg export products account for only 2.63%. Exports in three commodity groups (machinery, equipment and vehicles, metals and metal products, as well as chemical products) represent 75.6% of the country's exports.

International capital migration

The investment climate in Luxembourg is considered one of the most favorable on the European continent. The increased interest in investing in this country is explained not only by its favorable geostrategic position, the presence of a well-developed financial infrastructure and highly qualified production personnel. Of great importance are the numerous benefits that are provided to foreign entrepreneurs (profitable loans, conditions for purchasing land, etc.). Foreign companies have equal conditions with national firms in obtaining state soft loans and subsidies (they account for about 2/3 of all funds received). Among the factors in attracting foreign investment, tax cuts play a significant role. The liberal tax climate and the almost complete absence of taxation of offshore operations attract numerous foreign capitals to the country. Luxembourg ranked first in the world in terms of attracted foreign direct investment in the country's economy at 125.7 billion dollars. the Luxembourg government continued to give priority to the development of social infrastructures. Growth in public investment in Luxembourg, namely spending on infrastructure development, remained at a high level. 5 In 2004, the total amount of state investment expenditures increased to the level of 790 million euros, or 11.8% of the total state expenditures. Compared to the 2003 budget, this represents an increase of more than 2%. In 2003, investment spending was equal to 2.75% of GDP. In 2004 this figure exceeded 3.5%. The level of investment achieved by Luxembourg is the highest of all the countries of the European Union, and is estimated at 4.8% of GDP. The average for other EU countries is 2.3%. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has published a report on the role of foreign investment in the global economy. Thus, it published a rating of 140 countries, reflecting the role of foreign investment in the economy of each of them. To determine the places in the ranking, the shares of each country in the world GDP and the volume of foreign investments in the world economy for the period 1998-2000 were compared. A country was assigned a coefficient of 1 if these shares were equal. As a result, Belgium and Luxembourg came first on the list (coefficient 13.8), which were considered together, since even before the introduction of the euro, a monetary union was concluded between these countries. Thus, Luxembourg is recognized as the most attractive for foreign investors. But in the last decade, the neighboring countries of the European Union have become the main object of capital investment, which reflects the removal of restrictions on the movement of capital in this association while maintaining too high production costs in Luxembourg. The investment expansion of capital to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, including the Russian economy, begins.

International labor migration

In 1999, the world population reached 6 billion people, of which, according to UN experts, about 150 million (or 2.5% of the total population of the planet) live in countries that are not their countries of birth. Global population growth is projected to continue. Under these conditions, migration becomes a fundamental component of population growth in European countries. According to Eurostat, migration to the EU countries, after its peak in early 1990 (more than 1 million people), has declined significantly over the past decade. In 1999, it amounted to 700 thousand people. The latest EU report highlights that the influx of migrants can serve as a good solution to the problem of population aging and declining population growth in Europe. Thus, the sharp increase in the number of foreign immigrants to Luxembourg is caused, first of all, by the government's policy to attract foreign capital, develop new high-tech industries, small and private businesses; consequently, the need for skilled labor is increasing. In addition, the adoption of measures to facilitate the conditions for obtaining citizenship, the policy of social benefits and subsidies, and assistance to foreign citizens in finding employment attract more and more foreigners here. In the 1990s, Luxembourg was one of the wealthiest Western countries with a highly developed economy. The basis of the economy, first of all, is a developed service sector, including in the financial sector. In 2002, the gross domestic product (GDP) was estimated at $21.94 billion, or $48,900 per capita (vs. $26,556 in Belgium and $43,233 in Switzerland). On a purchasing power parity basis, per capita spending in Luxembourg was $16,827 (in the US, $17,834). Annual GNP growth in the early 1990s averaged 5.5%, well above the EU average. Luxembourg's stable economy is characterized by low inflation, an almost complete absence of unemployment, and a gradual increase in GDP. The industry until recently relied on the steel industry, but more recently other industries have begun to develop. Over the past decade, the growth of the financial sector has offset the decline in steel production. The service sector is becoming increasingly important in the country's economy. With regard to inflation, the slowdown that began back in 2001 (2.7%), continued in 2002. (2.1%). At the end of 2003 Inflation rates in Luxembourg fell to 2% and were comparable to other countries in the euro area (+2.1%), although the trend in the last few months of 2003 increased. characterized by the acceleration of inflation in neighboring countries (Germany, France and Belgium) while weakening in Luxembourg itself. And if in 2001 the rate of inflation in Luxembourg was one of the highest among the EU countries, then in 2002-03. it fell below the average for the EU countries and the euro area.

Conclusion

Thus, the entry of Luxembourg into the European Union, as one of the six countries - its main founders, should be considered in terms of the long-awaited start of the revival and prosperity of its economic status. And now, more than ever, European integration is the main mechanism of Luxembourg's foreign policy. Now, when national contradictions are becoming more and more aggravated, the EU is the best guarantee of peace and stability in Europe. The integration changes taking place within the political and economic systems of the EU member states contribute to strengthening and maintaining the functions, powers and competitiveness of the European Union throughout the world. "The formation of the European Union is an essential contribution to accelerating the process of globalization of economic, political and social systems." This trend is most applicable to relatively small countries like Luxembourg. The development of European integration affects the strengthening of the ability of Luxembourg and other countries similar to it to directly and indirectly influence the economic, political and social component of other states. Today, Luxembourg is a center of international contacts. Consequently, the position of Luxembourg in the EU was marked by a new and more successful period in the development of the country's economy, which is characterized by an increase in GDP, an improvement in the standard of living of the population, an increase in social security, and more open international trade.

Literature

Minevrina I.G. "OECD Countries: Statistical Handbook" M.-2001 Averyanov M.A. "Countries of the world today" M.-2004 Pechnikov B.A. "The numbers on the map are marked" M.-2000 Teper E.M. "Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg" M.-2005 Okounkov L.A. "Constitutions of the EU states" M.-2002 Bakir Victoria A. "Belgium, Luxembourg" M.-2001 "Business card 2002 - textiles, clothes, shoes." T.1 M.-2002 Gromyko A.A. "Luxembourg: pages of history" M. - 2003 "Around the world" (geographical encyclopedia for readers) Encyclopedia "Countries of the World". M.-2004.

1 Teper E.M. "Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg" M.-2005 p. 122 2 Gromyko A.A. "Luxembourg: pages of history" M. - 2003 p. 56 3 Gromyko A.A. "Luxembourg: pages of history" M. - 2003 p. 59 4 Averyanov M.A. "Countries of the World Today" M.-2004 p. 133 5 Averyanov M.A. "Countries of the World Today" M.-2004 p. 136

Description of Luxembourg

Capital: Luxembourg

When, in 963, Count Siegfried built his Little Fortress - Lisilinburg, he hardly guessed that he was creating the cradle of one of the smallest, but most amazing and richest countries in the world - the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. On the tiny territory of this European state, many natural, historical and cultural values ​​\u200b\u200bare concentrated. Amazing landscapes, ancient castles, picturesque rivers surrounded by valleys with wonderful vineyards where excellent wines are produced. Beautiful cozy cities with museums, galleries and restaurants famous for their culinary masterpieces. Luxembourg is a country where impeccable quality is valued above all else, and above all, the quality of life. Maybe that's why the people of Luxembourg chose the slogan: "We want to remain who we are" as the motto of the country.

Geographical position
Luxembourg is located in Western Europe, covering an area of ​​about 2586 km². It is part of the Benelux countries and borders Belgium, Germany and France, and in the east the state border runs along the Moselle River. The population of the country is 502.2 thousand people, and administratively Luxembourg is divided into 3 districts (Luxembourg, Dikirsh, Grevenmacher), which, in turn, are divided into 12 cantons.

Climate
Luxembourg has a temperate mild climate exposed to the Atlantic, with an average temperature in January - 0 - 1 degrees, in July + 18-20 degrees. Precipitation falls mainly in late summer and is more abundant in the north.

A bit of history
The name of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg comes from the High German "lucilinburch" which means "small town". The first human settlements on the territory of the duchy appeared 35,000 years ago, which is confirmed by ancient artifacts found in the town of Otringen. In the I-VI centuries. BC. the territory of Luxembourg was inhabited by the Gauls, then it was part of the Roman Empire, and in the VI century. the Franks settled here. Starting from the 7th century, when the population of Luxembourg was converted to Christianity, the state was alternately part of Austrasia, the Holy Roman Empire, Lorraine, and in 963, after this territory gained independence, Count Siegfried built a fortified castle here - Lysilinburg (Little Fortress) that laid the foundation for the state. In 1354, the County of Luxembourg became a duchy, which in 1477 passed to the Habsburg dynasty, and then to Spain. Then the state was several times in the power of France, but in 1815 the Congress of Vienna granted Luxembourg the status of the Grand Duchy with Willem at the head. During World War I, Luxembourg remained neutral; during World War II, the country was occupied by Germany. Liberation came in 1944, and in the same year Luxembourg entered into an economic union with Belgium and the Netherlands - the Benelux, and in 1957 became a member of the European Union. June 14, 1995 Luxembourg was the site of another important event. In the south-east of the country, in the town of Schengen, or rather, on the pleasure ship "Princess Maria Astrid" on the Moselle River, the Schengen Agreement was signed. Today Luxembourg has a constitutional monarchy headed by Grand Duke Henri.

Kitchen
Undoubtedly, the influence of French and German culinary traditions is present in Luxembourgish cuisine, but the cuisine of the Grand Duchy also has many of its signature recipes that have come from ancient times. Thanks to the wonderful natural features, the dishes here are prepared from selected local products, among which meat dishes are in the first place. The famous Ardennes ham, jellied suckling pigs, smoked pork with beans, Luxembourg hare roast, the national dish - bunschlupp (soup with bacon, green beans and potatoes). These dishes are usually served with delicious vegetable side dishes, potatoes and greens. Luxembourg is also famous for the preparation of fish dishes - for example, excellent trout, pike and crayfish from local rivers. Unusually tasty and pastries - muffins, pies with fruit fillings, many varieties of cakes and cookies. Among the famous drinks is Luxembourg blackcurrant liqueur, which is prepared according to old recipes. And by the way, Luxembourg, like Belgium, is the country where the largest number of Michelin-starred gourmet restaurants is concentrated. In addition, Luxembourg is the founder of the Culinary World Cup (Expogast Culinary World Cup Luxemburg), which is held in the Duchy every four years.

Moselle wines
Speaking about the cuisine of Luxembourg, one cannot help but recall the famous throughout Europe wines made from grapes in the Moselle River Valley. The main part of the vineyards is located on a vast area of ​​almost 1500 hectares, between Schengen and Wasserbillig, where only white grape varieties are grown, from which dry aromatic wines are made. The most common grape variety is Rivaner, as well as Elbing, Riesling, Auxerrois, Pinot Gris. Müller-Thurgau grapes make fruity wines, Elbing - sparkling and effervescent, Riesling - light, refined dry wines, Auxerrois - soft, mostly with citrus aromas, Pinot Grisgio - fragrant, velvety and harmonious wines.

Landmarks of Luxembourg
The tiny territory of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is famous not only for its picturesque landscapes, but for many other attractions:
Casemates are a unique complex of tunnels and underground passages, the construction of which lasted from the time of the Roman Empire until the 18th century, and which brought Luxembourg the glory of the “northern Gibraltar.
The Palace of the Grand Dukes (Groussherzogleche Palais) - a majestic palace, the official residence of the Grand Duke, was built in 1572-73 as a city hall. Today the palace hosts official ceremonies, political conferences and audiences.
Notre Dame Cathedral is a 17th-century cathedral built in the late Gothic style with Renaissance elements. The cathedral hosts an annual celebration in honor of the Holy Virgin of Luxembourg.
The National Museum of History and Art is a historical, archaeological and art museum showcasing a collection of art and artifacts from all eras of Luxembourg history.
The city of Echternach is one of the most beautiful and ancient cities in Luxembourg, with more than a thousand years of history. Among its attractions are the Church of St. Peter and Paul (XIII century), the Basilica of St. Willibror (XVI-XVIII centuries), the ruins of the old city walls, as well as the famous Wolf's Mouth Canyon.
Luxembourg Switzerland (Petite Suisse Luxembourgeoise) is an amazing region in the eastern part of the Duchy, located on the border with Switzerland and similar to it with its natural landscapes.
Beaufort Castle (Chateau de Beaufort) is an ancient castle located in the east of the country, in the vicinity of the town of the same name. Beaufort Castle rises on a picturesque hill and dates back to the 11th-12th centuries. The ancient castle houses a prison and a torture chamber with many terrible weapons, and a stunning panorama of Beaufort opens from the main tower.
Bourscheid Castle (Le château de Bourscheid) is a 15th-century castle located in the town of Esch-sur-sur, on a sheer cliff, from where a breathtaking panorama of the surroundings of the Sur River opens.
Schengen Castle - a castle located in the town of Schengen, was built in 1390. In 1871, Victor Hugo visited here, who made a drawing of the castle, which is stored in the State Museum of Luxembourg. Currently, congresses and seminars are held in the Schengen Castle.
Haute-Sur National Park is a magnificent natural park-reserve with an area of ​​more than 183 km2. The vast territory of the park contains a variety of local flora and fauna. There is also a picturesque lake Upper Sur.

Holidays
January 1 - New Year
January 6 - Epiphany (Dräikinneksdag)
early February - Carnival (Fuesent)
February 18 - Burgsonndeg Spring Festival
March 13 - Burgsonndeg fire festival
March 28 - Easter Emeshen (Eimaischen)
May 1 - Labor Day
May 15 - Feast of the First Flowers (Genzefest)
May 21 - Feast of St. Willibrord - the patron saint of Luxembourg
June 23 - Birthday of the Grand Duke
December 25 - Christmas