The story of Luxembourg. School Encyclopedia Luxembourg City Name History

origin of name

The name of Luxembourg comes from one old fortification, which was originally called Lutseburg.. From 963 known name Lutzlinburgus, and from 1125 LucelenBurgensis en Opidum et Castrum LuxelenBurgensis. The name Luxembourg consists of two words of German origin: lutila (small) and burg (lock). In later, the Middle Ages, under the influence of French, the state began to call Luxembourg.

Early History

Initially, Luxembourg was only a Fort near the Sauer Rivers and Alzet. In 963, Count Siegfried bought strengthening and laid the castle on this place, which was made by the center of his possessions in Mozlin and in the Ardennes mountains. The male offspring of the graph ceased in 1136. Luxembourg moved through the female line to the Chart of Namur, then to the Count Limburg.

According to the Utrecht world of 1713, the part of the duke, which from 1489 remained in Spanish hands and which with some changes is the current Luxembourg, passed into the hands of Austria. In 1794, she was conquered by France, for which she strengthened the world in Campoff.

The Vienna Congress of 1815, separating from the Former Luxembourg, some areas in favor of Prussia and generally changing its randomly borders, formed an independent great duchy from him, which was part of the German Union until 1860. The crown of the Great Duchy Congress conveyed Wilhelm I, the king of the United Netherlands (Holland and Belgium), to the remuneration for his Nassau possession, and Luxembourg was in personal union with the Netherlands.

Communication with the German Union was mainly expressed in the fact that the city of Luxembourg is the strongest fortress in Europe after Gibraltar - was recognized as the fortress of the German Union and is busy with Prussian troops. Wilhelm I ruled the duke on the basis of the Netherlands laws and its discretion.

In 1830, the revolution spreading in Belgium was covered by Luxembourg; The entire territory of the Grand Duchy, with the exception of the fortress with the closest neighborhood, has moved to the power of the Belgian government. The great and small powers for 9 years led negotiations due to Luxembourg, which have repeatedly caused armed clashes. Finally, in 1839, the treatise, signed in London by representatives of the five great powers, returned half of Luxembourg to the Dutch king, on the previous beginnings, leaving another half of the Belgium.

Wilhelm II, who joined the throne in 1840, and who accepted the title of the King of the Great Duke, was supposed to be killed in 1841 a particular constitution for Luxembourg, in 1848 modified in a democratic spirit.

The new Great Duke, King of the Netherlands Wilhelm III (1849-1890), appointed his brother Henry in Luxembourg with his governor, who began systematic clashes with the Chamber. In 1856, Wilhelm III proposed the Chamber of the draft new Constitution, which made the chamber's right to the ghostly and restored the almost absolute power of the monarch; The Chamber did not accept the project, but the king dismissed it and his authority introduced a new constitution. Among the German governments, this measure was met with sympathy, and in the people she did not arouse opposition.

The destruction of the German Union in 1866 again delivered the Luxembourg question queue. Napoleon III, trying to get satisfied for the insulted pride of his country, took negotiations with Wilhelm III about buying Luxembourg. Wilhelm agreed, but the news about this agreement spread and caused indignation in Germany; The opinion of the Luxembourgs themselves, of course, was not interested. Diplomatic negotiations began; The conference gathered in London from representatives of the Great Powers proclaimed Luxembourg forever neutral, decided at the request of France, so that Prussia brought his garrison from the Luxembourg Fortress and that the most strengthening of Luxembourg was broken to the ground. Next year, Wilhelm III was forced to agree to revise the Constitution in a democratic spirit.

In 1890, Wilhelm III died, without leaving sons; Meanwhile, the Netherlands of the Prestolonian laws differed very much from the surname agreement of 1783, which determined the throne in Luxembourg.

In the Netherlands, the Crown moved to the young Wilhelmine, the daughter of Wilhelm III, and in Luxembourg - to another branch of the same house, precisely to the Duke of Adolf, the former Duke Nassau.

In the speech spoken in the ward of deputies the day after entering Luxembourg, the new duke promised to firmly defend freedom, independence and institutions of the country; "The kings die, dynasty fade, but the peoples remain," he said. His popularity was greatly staggered when the bill of the property of the Great Duke and a loan of 500 thousand for improving his palace was introduced into the ward of deputies. Maybe it was one of the reasons, as a result of which the movement against Germany intensified in the country and in favor of rapprochement with France, expressed in a number of demonstrations.

The historical region of Luxembourg exceeded the modern borders of the Great Duchy, and the province of Belgium and small areas of neighboring countries also included. Now the country is a "triangle" (2586 km²) In the center of Western Europe, bordering France, Belgium and Germany.

Most of the territory is at an altitude of 300 to 500 m above sea level. North part of the country, Esling (Oesling), Located on the spurs of Ardennes and the Rhine Shale Mountains. The relief of the eSling looks like a mosaic: wooded rifle ridges, wavy foothills, river valleys. By the south of the mountain, they cut sharply, forming a strongly crossed terrain in the central part of the country. Extreme South Luxembourg, Gutland (Gutland.), It is a low hilly plain, which stepped ridges gradually falling from west to the east to the winery valley.

Luxembourg climate is temperate, transitional from marine to continental. Winter is soft, the average temperature of January is from 0 to 2 ° C, July -17 ° C. Precipitation falls quite a lot - 700- 850 mm per year.

Rivers relate mainly to the Moselle River Basin. Forest arrays, mostly beech and oak, occupy more than a third of the country. No wonder Luxembourg at the end of the XVIII - early XIX centuries was part of France called "Forest Department" (Forkt).

History

• II century The Romans captured the territories of the Celtic Trevere tribe.
• V c. The territory of Luxembourg was conquered by francs. Later, she became part of the Karl Great Empire.
• XI century Konrad I appropriated the title of Luxembourg Count and became the Dynasty of the Dynasty, which was ruled by the XIV century. 1244. The city of Luxembourg received utility rights. 1437. Duchhood passed to hold to Habsburgs.
• 1443. Luxembourg captured the Duke of Burgundy.
• 1477. The power of the Habsburgs is restored.
• 1555. Duchy moved to the Spanish King Philip II and, together with Holland and Flanders, fell under the power of Spain.
• XVII century Luxembourg was repeatedly engaged in the war between Spain and France.
• 1713. After a long wars, Luxembourg fell under the authority of the Austrian Habsburgs.
• 1815. The Vienna Congress created the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and handed him to the King of the Netherlands Wilhelm I.
• 1830. Belgium, belonged to Wilhelm I, rebelled, Luxembourg joined her, with the exception of the capital, which the Prussian garrison held.
• 1831. Great powers offered to divide Luxembourg. His western (French-speaking) Part became the province of independent Belgium.
• 1867. Under the Treaty of the London Conference, the Prussian garrison was derived, and the fortress was eliminated. The independence and neutrality of Luxembourg are proclaimed. The throne in the Great Duchy remained at the Nassau dynasty.
• 1890. After the death of Wilhelm III, the personal Julia of the Great Duke was interrupted with the Netherlands (His daughter Wilhelmina inherited the Netherlands throne). Great Duchy moved to another branch at home Nassau-rule Luxembourg was the great Duke Adolf.
• 1905-1912. The Board of Wilhelm, the Son Adolf.
• 1912-1919. The Board of the Great Duchess of Maria Adelaide, Adolf's daughter.
• 1914. Luxembourg captured by Germany, who promised Luxembourg to pay reparations for violating his neutrality (The occupation continued until the end of the First World War).
• 1940. Germany again broke the neutrality of Luxembourg.
• 1942, August. Joining Luxembourg to the Third Reich. The population of the country declared a universal strike on which the Germans responded with mass repressions.
• 1945. Luxembourg is released from German occupation.
• 1949. The country joined NATO.
• 1957. Luxembourg participates in the founding of the European Economic Community.
• 1999. Luxembourg enters the euro area.
• 2005, March 15. According to Mercer Human Resource Consulting, Luxembourg is recognized as the safest city in the world.

First thing

The tourist office sells two types of discount tourist cards.

With Luxembourg Card, you can visit many attractions in the country and use public transport. The price depends on the validity period of the card, there are also family cards (on a family of two or five people). Stater Museekart allows for 2 days to visit the main attractions of the capital, for example: Museum of History of the city of Luxembourg, National Museum of History and Art, Luxembourg Casino and Casemates side.

Changing of the Guard

By tradition, the throne of the Great Duchy is transmitted to the eldest man in the family, and if it does not turn out to be, then the eldest daughter. The ducal family is very popular in the people. It symbolizes the stability and prosperity of the country.

In 1964, the Great Duke Jean inherited the throne after the 45-year-old Board of his mother, the Great Duchess Charlotte, and stood at the head of the country until 2000, when he renounced the throne in favor of the eldest son Henri. Henri is married to Cuba Mary Teresa, they have 4 sons and daughter.

In the centre of Europe

Luxembourg participated in the UN institution, Benilux, the European Union and the Schengen Agreement. Two representatives of Luxembourg - Gaston Thorn (1981-1984) and Jacques Santer. (since 1995) - served as presidents of the EU Commission. Many institutes of the European Community are located on the territory of Luxembourg, in particular the European Parliament (along with Strasbourg), Audit Commission, European Investment Bank and European Court of Auditors. Luxembourg was chaired in the European Union from July to December 1997.

However, the brightest event in the history of Luxembourg after World War II - signing a pan-European agreement (1985) Near the village of Schengen. From the name of this village and there is a visa name in almost all countries of Europe.

That is how Verkhnemansky translates the name of the country "Luxembourg" - "Small City".

Luxembourg - One of the richest countries in Europe with the highest level of living, despite the fact that almost all the energy consumed in Luxembourg is imported, including oil, natural gas, stone coal.
The full name of the country - Great Duchy Luxembourg.

Brief information about the country

State bordered from Belgium, Germany and France.
Capital - Luxembourg. This city is and The country's largest city.
Form of government - a constitutional monarchy.
Head of State - The Great Duke.
Head of executive - Prime Minister.
Population - 502 207 people.
Territory - 2 586.4 square meters. km.
Currency - Euro.
Economy: The foundation of the economy is primarily a developed sector of services, including in the financial field. In the economy of Luxembourg, a banking occupies an important place, a significant attention is paid to creating telecommunication networks and the production of audio and video equipment. Chemical products, machines, plastics, fabrics, glass, porcelain are available.
Official language - Luxembourg, French, German.
The overwhelming number believers - Catholics, there are Protestants. Since 1998 orthodoxy It has the status of an official denomination.
Climate - Moderate.
Administrative division - Luxembourg is divided into the districts, which, in turn, are divided into cantons, and Cantons - to the commune.

State Symbols of Luxembourg

Flag - is a rectangular cloth consisting of three horizontal isometric strips: top - red, moderate - white, and bottom - light blue. The ratio of the width of the flag to its length - 3: 5. The King of the Netherlands Willem I, becoming in 1815 at the same time the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, took the emblem and the flag of the Great Duchy, which are similar to the state symbols of the Netherlands. The flag of Luxembourg is different from the Netherlands only a lighter shade of the blue strip.

Currently, more than 90% of the population support the replacement of the flag - depicting a lion on a white and blue background. This flag is the generic flag of the Luxembourg house from the XIII century.

Coat of arms - It is a shield with 10 horizontal blue and silver stripes. On the shield depicted a crowned red two-way lion with a gold language. The shield is crowned with a Great Crown. The shield supports the shield holders: two gold crowned lions with red tongues, their muzzles are turned off from the shield. Surrounding the shield of the tape with the sign of the Oak Crown Orden. This composition is placed on the mantle and is crowned with a large Greater Coron.
Average coat of arms are also used, which is a shield with shield holders without a ribbon of the Order, and a small coat of arms - only a crowned stamp shield.
The coat of arms of Luxembourg appeared in the Middle Ages and comes from the arms of the Duchy of Limburg.

History of Luxembourg

The most ancient traces of habitat of people in the territory of Luxembourg refer to deep antiquity - upper Paleolithic (35 - 12 thousand years ago). Permanent settlements with houses appear in the era neolithic, 5 thousand to n. e. Traces of such settlements were found in the south of Luxembourg. At the beginning bronze Age The population of Luxembourg territory was few, but by the period of the XIII-VIII centuries. BC e. There are numerous finds: dwellings, ceramics, weapons, decorations. In the VI-I centuries BC e. The territory of Luxembourg inhabited galls, then it was included in Rome.
In V c. Franks invaded the territory of Luxembourg.
At the end of the VII century. The population of the territory of modern Luxembourg was passed into Christianity Thanks to the reverend Willibrord, who founded the Benedictine Monastery there. In the Middle Ages, the Earth enters alternately into the Frankish kingdom of Australia, then to the sacred Roman Empire, and later - in Lorraine.
In 1060, Konrad was proclaimed by the first Count Luxembourg

In 1477, Luxembourg moved to the Dynasty of the Habsburgs, and during the partition of the Karl V Empire, the territory was in the power of Spain. In 1679-1684 Louis XIV, the king of the Sun, stentered Luxembourg scenario, but already in 1697, France handed it to Spain. During the war of the Spanish legacy, Luxembourg, along with Belgium, returned to the Austrian Habsburgs. Six years after the start of the French revolution, Luxembourg moved France again, so that the state had all the events of fate together with the French - Directory and Napoleon. With the fall of Napoleon, the French dominion in Luxembourg ended, his fate was solved by the Vienna Congress of 1815: Luxembourg was given the status of the Great Duchy with Willem I, the King of the Netherlands, headed. Luxembourg retained autonomy, and the connection with the Netherlands was rather nominal.
In 1842, Luxembourg became a member of the Customs Union. This step has significantly improved the economic and agricultural development of the duke, infrastructure was restored, the railways appeared. In 1866, Luxembourg became a completely sovereign state.
In the years World War II Luxembourg retained neutrality, though still in 1914 germany occupied him.
In 1940, Germany occupied Luxembourg for the second time. But now the government refused to compromise with the invaders, so the whole yard was forced to emigrate and live in exile. In the Duchy, "traditional" Nazi orders were established, the French language was disadvantaged. Duchy in December 1941 entered the third Reich. 12 thousand people received agendas of mobilization in the Wehrmacht, of which 3 thousand were evaluated from the call and about the same as the same as the Eastern Front. In September 1944, exemption came. In the same year, Luxembourg entered the Economic Union with Belgium and the Netherlands (Benelux). With accession to NATO in 1949, the Grand Duch of Luxembourg violated his age-old military neutrality.

Sights of Luxembourg

Despite the good development of the territory and greater density of the population, the Forests are occupied by the fifth. In the north of countries, spurs are towering Ardenne (The highest point is Kneuff Hill, 560 meters).

Mountainous area northwest of Echtern town called Little Switzerland (or Luxembourg Switzerland). This locality received its name through the geographical similarity with Switzerland: they prevailing the rocky relief, dense forests and a lot of small streams. The highest point is 414 m above sea level.

Here is only one medium size city - Echterna, which is the oldest city of Luxembourg.
IN mondorf are located geothermal sources, in the XIX century. It was built here balneological resort. Among the first patients of this resort was the famous French writer Victor Hugowhich was not only diligently treated with mineral water from rheumatism, but also thoroughly examined the neighborhood of the town, visiting all nearby attractions - castles, churches, ruins of the ancient Roman structures. Leaving the city whose waters brought him relief from the disease, Hugo wrote that the happy climb clocks in the picturesque neighborhood of Mondorf would last for a long time. The number of visitors to the resort grew every year. On August 28, 1878, a special decree was decided to add to the title Mondorf the word "le-bin" that translated from French means "On waters".

National Park Upper Sur

It was created in 1999. Dela protection of the environment, rare species of plants and animals. The first goal is to preserve the local flora and fauna, as well as the protection of air purity, water and soil. The second goal is to implement economic activities: the maintenance of forestry and the development of tourism, the creation of a high standard of living and new jobs.

For visitors to the park there are many ways to leisure: Walking in nature, inspection of cultural monuments, water sports on the Lake Upper Sur. The park has accommodation for holidaymakers. Every year, on the first weekend of July, festivals are held in the park. The park is also home to reservoir, dams and dams.

The third challenge is to preserve the architectural heritage of the region, which fluctuates from a large number of abandoned chapels and mills to the former careers for the mining of the slate and the ruins of the castles.

Luxembourg city attractions

In the picture - the building of the railway station

And this is the building of the State Bank.

Cathedral is a bright example of late Gothic architectureHowever, it contains many elements and architecture decorations. Revival. The cathedral is decorated with rich choirs that contain many Mauritan style elements. At the end of the XVIII century. The cathedral received the miraculous image of Our Lady - the comforter of the grief, which is the patroness of the city and the people. Now this image is in the southern part of the temple, and is the object of pilgrimage. Every year, on the fifth Sunday, after Easter, the day of the Holy Virgin Luxembourg is celebrated here.
Approximately 50 years after the construction, the Cathedral was consecrated as the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary, and in 1870, Pope Piy Ix sanctified him as the Cathedral of Our Lady.

Fortress "Three Zhiludia"

The fortress is part of the historical fortifications of Luxembourg. It is located in the Park "Three Zhiludia" in the south-east of the city. The fortress has three towers, on the roof of each of them there is a thrill, in honor of what she got his name. Also, the fortress has the name Tungen, in honor of the commandant of the fortress of Baron Adam Sigmund background Tungen.
In the London Treaty of 1867, most of the fortress was destroyed. There were only three towers and the foundation of the rest of the fortress. In 1990, a complete reconstruction of the fortress was performed.

It was built in Mermer in the X century. By the time of the French Revolutionary Wars, he represented the ruins, was captured and sold by the French troops of Tierry de Bastogon in 1798
In 1995, Mamer Castle was bought by the Commune Administration. Restoration was conducted from September 1999 to February 2002. The Commune Administration moved on March 1, 2002

The main residence of the Great Dukes of Luxembourg. Located in the city of Colmar-Berg. After the division of Luxembourg from the Netherlands in 1890, the castle chopped the Grand Duke Adolf.
During the Second World War, the castle came to the launch, but after restoration work, he again became the place of stay of the Great Duke (since 1964).

Museum of trams and buses of Luxembourg

Dedicated to the history of public transport of this city since the time of the kink and to the present day. Opened in 1991

Adolf Bridge - Symbol of Luxembourg

The bridge in the city of Luxembourg was built in 1900-1903, during the Board duke Adolf. At that time it was the largest stone bridge in the world. The length of the arches of the bridge is 85 meters, the maximum height is 42 meters. The total length of the bridge is 153 meters. The bridge connects the upper and lower city: two parts of Luxembourg.

The geographical position of Luxembourg has repeatedly made his goal of various conquerors. During its history, he visited the authorities of the Germans, Austrians, French, Spaniards and Dutch. But in spite of everything, the duchy could preserve their originality and remain as a result of an independent state.

Historically, Luxembourg was called the territory much morethan the duke in our day. It included the same Belgian province and a number of territories of neighboring countries. Actually "Luxembourg" is translated into Russian as "Fortress" or "Little Castle". This name was wearing the strengthening of the capital of the capital. Located in steep rocks on r. Alza is an impregnable fortress in Europe called "Northern Gibraltar". It existed until 1867.

The first fortifications in this convenient area of \u200b\u200bthe area built another Roman governor of the Gallic region of Belgik. After the fall of the Empire, the province was captured by francs (in v.) And became part of the owners of Karl the Great, the descendant of Charles, Siegfried, rules in the region at the end of the 9th century. The first Count Luxembourg became Conradwho assigned this title in the XI century. Founded by the Dynasty of the County Rules right up to the XIV century. In 1244, the settlement of Luxembourg became a full-fledged city, while receiving relevant rights. In 1437, as a result of a dynastic marriage duchy of Luxembourg became part of the Habsburg Empire. However, already in 1443, it was conquered by the Burgundians, who remained his full-awake owners for more than 30 years. In the middle of the XVI century, Duchy, together with Flanders and Holland, fell under the power of the Spanish King Philip II.

In the next century, Luxembourg has repeatedly become the enea of \u200b\u200bthe rivalry of the powerful Spain and the growing power of France. The latter received the southwestern part of the duke (including the city of Monmedi and Thionville) as a result of the Pyrenean Peace Treaty concluded in 1659. Twenty-five years later, the French managed to take possession of the Luxembourg fortress, which they held as many as 13 years, have not yet been forced to return her to the Spaniards along with the occupied by the Belgian territories in the Riswick world. The period of bloody wars around Luxembourg ended in 1713, when he, together with Belgium, became the property of the Austrian Habsburgs.

This relatively peaceful period ended with the beginning of the French revolution. In 1795, the troops of the republic occupied the duchy and kept him up to the end of Napoleonic wars. By decision of the Vienna Congress Luxembourg became a great duchy Under the hand of the Netherlands King Wilhelm (Villema) I, who received it as compensation for the land given by Hessian Duchy. At the same time, Luxembourg entered the German Union, which allowed the Prussians to keep their garrison in the metropolitan fortress.

In 1830, it was he who kept the capital when Duchy joined the rebels against the power of Wilhelm I Belgium. The outcome of the uprising was the separation of the western part of the duke, inhabited mainly by the French-speaking population, and the entry into the independent of the Belgian state. Significantly reduced Great Duchy remained under the rule of the Netherlands Monarch, however, the great powers during the conference in 1839 in London were clearly made to understand what Luxemburg consider an independent state associated with the Netherlands only to personal unia rulers. Three years later, Luxembourg was a member of the Customs Union of German states. After decay in 1866, the German Union, France became more and more openly express dissatisfaction with the presence of the Prussian garrison in the immediate vicinity of its borders. At the same time, the Netherlands King Wilhelm III proposed to give the Duchy to the French emperor Napoleon III, but these plans prevented the next exacerbation of Franco-Prussian relations. Following the second London Conference, held in 1867, the Prussian garrison was recalled, fortress Luxembourg broke, And the duchy became an independent neutral state, the throne of which was declared the privilege of the house Nassau.

Soon after the death of Wilhelm III in 1890, was interrupted and personal Ulya with the NetherlandsAnd the other branch of the Nassau dynasty came to power in Duchy. The Grand Duke Adolf, who in 1905, was ascended by the son of Wilhelm in 1905. The heiress of the latter was the daughter - the Great Duchess Maria Adelaide.

With the beginning World War IIThe German troops invaded Belgium. At the same time, Germany occupied Luxembourg, promising, however, to pay for the violation of the Luxembourg neutrality of reparation. The occupation continued until the end of the war. After that, a number of changes occurred in the country: Maria Adelaide renounced the authorities, calling his Sister Charlotte with his successor. At the same time, a referendum was held on the conservation of Luxembourg status of the Great Duchy and finding Nassau at the authority. During the referendum, Charlotte received full approval of the overwhelming majority of the population of the country. At the same time, constitutional reforms of a democratic sense were started.

During the referendum, citizens of Luxembourg spoke in favor of rapprochement with France, in particular, for the economic alliance with her. However, France, more interested in Union with Belgium, refused to proposed the Union than Luxembourg pushed to the Union with Belgium, which was concluded in 1921. This customs, railway and currency union existed half a century.

In 1940, Germany disrupts Luxembourg neutrality. This time the country was annexed and its territory became part of the Reich. The government and the Great Duchess fled to the territory of France, and after its fall in Montreal and London, the Government of Luxembourg was created in exile. The population of the country in every way annexation opposed, declaring a universal strike, which became a reason for the Germans of mass repression. More than 10% of the duke's population was arrested and expelled from the country. Luxembourg was released by the Union troops in the fall of 1944. However, the northern regions of the country, newly captured by the Germans during the Ardennes counter-offensive, were released only by January 1945.

Many post-war international agreements were concluded with Luxembourg. In particular, Duchy participated in the foundation of the UN, NATO and Benilyuks (Union with the Netherlands and Belgium), and later in the creation of the European Union. A significant role is played by the state in the Council of Europe. In 1990, an agreement was signed in the Luxembourg town of Schengen, according to which border control between France, Germany and Benilyux countries was canceled. Two years later, the country signed the Maastricht Treaty. Representatives of Luxembourg twice became presidents of the EU Commission: From 1981 to 1984, this position was held by Gaston Thorn, and from 1995 to 1999 - Jacques Santer.

Starting from 1919, to this day the largest party in Duchy is HSNP. It was its representatives at the head of all governments until 1940. From 1945 to 1947, the coalition government has had a leading role in which the Christian-social folk, communist and Luxembourg socialist parties, as well as representatives of the patriotic democratic movement played. After that, the leading positions again occupied HSNP, consistently formed a coalition with democrats, then with socialists. In 1974, the socialist-democratic coalition came to power in 1974, it was possible to hold out only five years.

The industry and services of Luxembourg services began to develop as a result of foreign investment due, in turn, political stability and banking laws of the country, guaranteeing the secret of deposits.

The general elections of 1999 brought the failure of LSRP and HSNP, whose presence in Parliament fell in favor of Democrats. As a result, the government includes representatives of the Democratic Party and HSNP, and Jean-Claude Juncker was elected his head. The latter was also re-elected in 2004.

After renounce in October 2000, the Great Duke Jean, the throne moved to his son, prince Henri.

In 2002, the state currency of Luxembourg is becoming euro.