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Communications

Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

8 (2000)

Internet country code [time series]

.lu

Internet users [time series]

86,000 (1999)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999)

Radios [time series]

285,000 (1997)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: highly developed, completely automated and efficient system, mainly buried cables domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; buried cable international: 3 channels leased on TAT-6 coaxial submarine cable (Europe to North America)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

314,700 (1999)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

215,741 (2000)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

5 (1999)

Televisions [time series]

285,000 (1998 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits, wine grapes; livestock products

Budget [time series]

revenues: $5.6 billion expenditures: $5.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

Luxembourg franc (LUF); euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the EU introduced the euro as a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in Luxembourg at a fixed rate of 40.3399 Luxembourg francs per euro and will replace the local currency for all transactions in 2002

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

LUF; EUR

Debt - external [time series]

$NA

Economic aid (Economic aid - donor) [time series]

ODA, $160 million (1999)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The stable, high-income economy features solid growth, low inflation, and low unemployment. The industrial sector, initially dominated by steel, has become increasingly diversified to include chemicals, rubber, and other products. Growth in the financial sector has more than compensated for the decline in steel. Services, especially banking, account for a substantial proportion of the economy. Agriculture is based on small family-owned farms. The economy depends on foreign and trans-border workers for 30% of its labor force. Luxembourg has a custom union with Belgium and the Netherlands, and, as a member of the EU, enjoys the advantages of the open European market. It joined with 10 other EU members to launch the euro on 1 January 1999.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

6.149 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports [time series]

655 million kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports [time series]

6.201 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production [time series]

648 million kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 36.88% hydro: 53.09% nuclear: 0% other: 10.03% (1999)

Exchange rates [time series]

euros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); Luxembourg francs per US dollar - 34.77 (January 1999), 36.299 (1998), 35.774 (1997), 30.962 (1996); note - the Luxembourg franc is at par with the Belgian franc, which circulates freely in Luxembourg

Exports [time series]

$7.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000)

Exports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment, steel products, chemicals, rubber products, glass

Exports - partners [time series]

EU 75% (Germany 25%, France 21%, Belgium 13%, UK 8%, Italy 6%, Netherlands 5%), US 4% (1999)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $15.9 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 1% industry: 30% services: 69% (2000 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $36,400 (2000 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

5.7% (2000 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$10 billion (c.i.f., 2000)

Imports - commodities [time series]

minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods

Imports - partners [time series]

EU 81% (Belgium 35%, Germany 26%, France 12%, Netherlands 4%), US 9% (1999)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

7.8% (2000 est.)

Industries [time series]

banking, iron and steel, food processing, chemicals, metal products, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

7.8% (2000 est.)

Labor force [time series]

248,000 (of whom 70,200 are foreign cross-border workers primarily from France, Belgium, and Germany) (2000)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

services 83.2%, industry 14.3%, agriculture 2.5% (1998 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Unemployment rate [time series]

2.7% (2000 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 2,586 sq km land: 2,586 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Rhode Island

Climate [time series]

modified continental with mild winters, cool summers

Coastline [time series]

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Moselle River 133 m highest point: Buurgplaatz 559 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

air and water pollution in urban areas, soil pollution of farmland

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Environmental Modification

Geographic coordinates [time series]

49 45 N, 6 10 E

Geography - note [time series]

landlocked

Irrigated land [time series]

10 sq km (including Belgium) (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 356 km border countries: Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 135 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 24% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 20% forests and woodland: 35% other: 20%

Location [time series]

Western Europe, between France and Germany

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

Natural resources [time series]

iron ore (no longer exploited), arable land

Terrain [time series]

mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down to Moselle flood plain in the southeast

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg

Capital [time series]

Luxembourg

Constitution [time series]

17 October 1868, occasional revisions

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg conventional short form: Luxembourg local long form: Grand Duche de Luxembourg local short form: Luxembourg

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador James C. HORMEL embassy: 22 Boulevard Emmanuel-Servais, L-2535 Luxembourg City mailing address: American Embassy Luxembourg, Unit 1410, APO AE 09126-1410 (official mail); American Embassy Luxembourg, PSC 9, Box 9500, APO AE 09123 (personal mail) telephone: [352] 46 01 23

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Arlette CONZEMIUS chancery: 2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-4171

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Grand Duke HENRI (since 7 October 2000); Heir Apparent Prince GUILLAUME (son of the monarch, born 11 November 1981); head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Claude JUNCKER (since 1 January 1995) and Vice Prime Minister Lydie POLFER (since 7 August 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and vice prime minister appointed by the monarch, following popular election to the Chamber of Deputies; they are responsible to the Chamber of Deputies note: government coalition - CSV and DP

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[1] (202) 328-8270 consulate(s) general: New York and San Francisco

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[352] 46 14 01

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a darker blue and is shorter; design was based on the flag of France

Government type [time series]

constitutional monarchy

Independence [time series]

1839 (from the Netherlands)

International organization participation [time series]

ACCT, Australia Group, Benelux, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NATO, NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC

Judicial branch [time series]

judicial courts and tribunals (3 Justices of the Peace, 2 district courts, and 1 Supreme Court of Appeals); administrative courts and tribunals (State Prosecutor's Office, administrative courts and tribunals, and the Constitutional Court); judges for all courts are appointed for life by the monarch

Legal system [time series]

based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (60 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 13 June 1999 (next to be held by NA June 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - CSV 29.79%, DP 21.58%, LSAP 23.75%, ADR 10.36%, Green Party 9.09%, the Left 3.77%; seats by party - CSV 19, DP 15, LSAP 13, ADR 6, Green Party 5, the Left 2 note: the Council of State or Conseil d'Etat, which has 21 members who are appointed and dismissed by the Grand Duke based on proposals from the government, the Chamber of Deputies, or the Council of State, is an advisory body whose views are considered by the Chamber of Deputies

National holiday [time series]

National Day (Birthday of Grand Duchess Charlotte) 23 June

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Action Committee for Democracy and Justice or ADR [Robert MEHLEN]; Christian Social People's Party or CSV (known also as Christian Social Party or PCS) [Erna HENNICOT-SCHOEPGES]; Democratic Party or DP [Lydie POLFER]; Green Party [Abbes JACOBY and Felix BRAS]; Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party or LSAP [Jean ASSELBORN]; Marxist and Reformed Communist Party DEI LENK (the Left) [no formal leadership]; other minor parties

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

ABBL (bankers' association); ALEBA (financial sector trade union); Centrale Paysanne (federation of agricultural producers); CEP (professional sector chamber); CGFP (trade union representing civil service); Chambre de Commerce (Chamber of Commerce); Chambre des Metiers (Chamber of Artisans); FEDIL (federation of industrialists); LCGP (center-right trade union); OGBL (center-left trade union)

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Introduction

Background [time series]

Founded in 963, Luxembourg became a grand duchy in 1815 and an independent state under the Netherlands. It lost more than half of its territory to Belgium in 1839, but gained a larger measure of autonomy. Full independence was attained in 1867. Overrun by Germany in both World Wars, it ended its neutrality in 1948 when it entered into the Benelux Customs Union and when it joined NATO the following year. In 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six founding countries of the European Economic Community (later the European Union) and in 1999 it joined the euro currency area.

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Army; note - the government abolished the Gendarmerie

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$131 million (FY98/99)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

1% (FY98/99)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 112,714 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 92,817 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

19 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 2,565 (2001 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 18.91% (male 43,051; female 40,711) 15-64 years: 67.03% (male 149,781; female 147,165) 65 years and over: 14.06% (male 24,921; female 37,343) (2001 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

12.25 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Death rate [time series]

8.88 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Celtic base (with French and German blend), Portuguese, Italian, Slavs (from Montenegro, Albania, and Kososvo) and European (guest and resident workers)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.16% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

less than 100 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

Infant mortality rate [time series]

4.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Languages [time series]

Luxembourgish (national language), German (administrative language), French (administrative language)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 77.3 years male: 74.02 years female: 80.8 years (2001 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (2000 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Luxembourger(s) adjective: Luxembourg

Net migration rate [time series]

9.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Population [time series]

442,972 (July 2001 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.26% (2001 est.)

Religions [time series]

the greatest preponderance of the population is Roman Catholic with a very few Protestants, Jews, and Muslims note: 1979 legislation forbids the collection of religious statistics

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.7 children born/woman (2001 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Transportation

Airports [time series]

2 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2000 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2000 est.)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2000 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 5,166 km paved: 5,166 km (including 118 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (1999)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 50 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 988,450 GRT/1,313,498 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, chemical tanker 11, container 2, liquefied gas 18, passenger 4, petroleum tanker 6, roll on/roll off 7 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belgium 4 (2000 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

petroleum products 48 km

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Mertert

Railways [time series]

total: 274 km standard gauge: 274 km 1.435-m gauge (242 km electrified; 178 km double track) (1998)

Waterways [time series]

37 km (on the Moselle)