The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a small state, roughly 1,000 sq. mi. It is situated between Belgium, France and Germany, and has about 390,000 inhabitants.
It is a sovereign and independent constitutional monarchy.
The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg dates back to 963 when Sigfried, count of the Ardennes and founder of the Luxembourg Dynasty, built a castle on what today is the city of Luxembourg.
Luxembourg has been a battleground for many wars in Europe. The fortress of Luxembourg was captured and devastated more than 20 times in 400 years. During the French Revolution, the Duchy was the "Département des Fôrets."
In 1815 the Congress of Vienna raised the former Duchy to the status of a Grand Duchy and gave it to the Dutch King. During the period of close association with the Netherlands that lasted until 1890, Luxembourg strengthened its national identity. Luxembourg was considered a permanently neutral state.
Luxembourg suffered heavily during the Second World War, when it was occupied by German troops. It was freed by the Allies in 1944-45 and in 1948 gave up its neutrality. It is now a member of several international economic, political and military organizations.
Luxembourg is a banking center and has a strong steel and iron industry. It has many castles and chateaus, as well as beautiful fortifications and enchanting landscapes.
The cosmopolitan city of Luxembourg, located in the south, is the main center of activity in the country. The country's currency is the Luxembourg franc.
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