The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, official name of this country located in the center of Europe , has the highest GDP per person in the world according to the World Bank. What other secrets can we find out about this small nation with no exit to the sea? Join us to discover 25 curiosities of Luxembourg, the heart of Europe .
25 Curiosities of Luxembourg
Luxembourg tried to stay neutral as Switzerland during the World Wars that ravaged Europe during the 20th century, however it failed and was invaded by Germany. After the Second World War, it abandoned its neutrality attempts and strongly opted for international cooperation. We have divided these curiosities of Luxembourg in sections to facilitate reading. We hope you like them!
Luxembourg's geographical and political curiosities
1. The country achieved independence in 1867 after the signing of the Treaty of London.
2. The Treaty of London signed in 1867 put an end to the struggles between several countries for the sovereignty of Luxembourg. Its location, absolutely strategic, was very coveted by other nations, not in vain is it known as "the heart of Europe".
3. The Ardennes is a region covered with dense forests that occupies part of Luxembourg, Belgium and France. The Germans, both in the First and Second World War, used it as a step to invade France since, believing it to be practically impenetrable, it was not well protected.
4. The Bock, the most touristic place in Luxembourg, is a promontory that offers a natural fortification that was used since the Middle Ages, over the centuries, as a defense castle. The modern city of Luxembourg was built around it.
5. The Bock was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It has more than 17 km. of underground tunnels carved into the rock and used as an air raid shelter during the two World Wars.
6. The country has a motto: "Mir wëlle bleiwe, war mir sin" which means "We want to remain what we are". It refers to the fact that they want to continue enjoying their independence as a country achieved after centuries of struggle.
7. Luxembourg has the highest minimum wage in Europe and is close to 2,000 Euros per month.
8. Another of the curiosities of Luxembourg is that it has the highest percentage of cars bought in the world: 647 cars per 1,000 people.
9. Just over half of Luxembourg's inhabitants are natives of the country. In him live people of more than 150 different nationalities and that its population surpasses by little the 550,000 inhabitants.
10. Luxembourg is a highly civic and participatory country. Its citizens, in the elections go out to vote in greater number than in any other country of the U.E. In the last elections, 91% voted.
11. Another of the curiosities of Luxembourg It refers to your flag. It is very similar to the Dutch because it has three horizontal stripes, one red, one white and one blue. Simply the blue color changes tone. This is because when the flag was created in the 19th century both countries had the same sovereign.
Capital of Luxembourg
12. The capital of Luxembourg It is the City of Luxembourg and has just over 100,000 inhabitants. It is the headquarters of several organisms and agencies of the European Union.
13. In the capital of Luxembourg You can visit the neighborhood called "Grund". It is very picturesque and has houses built directly on the rock, vineyards, a bridge of the fifteenth century and many restaurants and pubs.
Language of Luxembourg
14. The language of Luxembourg It is the Luxemburgish spoken among the natives and especially in the homes. It is a language of high German origin.
15. However, the population is generally trilingual. They use Luxembourgish in their homes and German and French, which are taught in primary and secondary schools respectively, for social, labor and economic relations. In addition many citizens also speak English that they use for business.
Luxembourg food
16. The Luxembourg food It is very influenced by the surrounding countries. The Bouneschlupp is the national dish of Luxembourg. It consists of a spice of green bean soup with potatoes, bacon and onion.
17. Another of the typical specialties of the country are plum liqueurs, both yellow and purple.
18. If you want to try the most typical Luxembourg food you can order "thuringer" which are small sausages, "gromper keeschelche" which are some potato pancakes, "quetsche tort" or plum tart, "kach keis" a very melted cheese soft and "Judd mat Gardebounen" which is pork, usually of the neck, with beans.
Religion of Luxembourg
19. The religion of Luxembourg It is mostly the Roman Catholic (87% of the population) although the country is secularized and has no national religion.
Euro coins
20. If you travel to Luxembourg, you will use the Euro. The Euro coins of Luxembourg can be recognized by the portrait of Grand Duke Henry I of Luxembourg, married to the Cuban Maria Teresa Mestre.
Luxembourg what to see
21. As we said earlier, if you ask in Luxembourg what to see , the first thing is to approach the Bock that contains centuries of history of the country. You can visit a part of the underground tunnels.
22. One of the events that attracts the most tourists in Luxembourg is the Echternach Dancing Procession. It is a religious procession that takes place on Pentecost Tuesday in the city of Echternach. The dancers advance through the streets to the abbey where the tomb of Saint Willibrord is located.
23. If you keep asking yourself in Luxembourg what to see , you have a region called Mullerthas that is known as the Little Switzerland .
24. In the heart of Little Switzerland there is a curious waterfall called Schiessentumpel divided into three and very visited by locals and tourists.
25. Finally, although Luxembourgers look like very practical people, they also leave a place for fantasy and legend. They have a cave called Hohllay Cave or Cueva Hueca in which there are some strange marks that they say are the work of the elves. Actually they are signals left by an old mining operation.
We hope you have been interested in these curiosities of Luxembourg, one of the smallest countries in Europe and the world. Do you know any other curiosity? Share it with us!
Images: SITCK ,