Luxembourg, a small country located in the center of Europe
Located in the center of Western Europe, Luxembourg is the “country of 3 borders”. It shares its borders with Belgium to the northwest (148 km of borders),Germany to the east (135 km of borders) and France to the south (73 km of borders). All towns and villages are located within 30 km of a border.
It is very easy to visit Luxembourg over several weekends. It extends 82 km from north to south and 58 km from east to west.
The country has a moderate altitude. The highest point, the Kneiff coast, is located at 560 meters above sea level in the north of the country in Wilwerdange.
With an area of only 2,582 m², Luxembourg offers a variety of landscapes between plains and forests, lakes and rivers. The vast green spaces are intact, highlighted in beautiful natural parks. Lovers of outdoor activities will appreciate its varied fauna and flora.
Beautiful landscapes for nature lovers
Luxembourg reveals picturesque landscapes along the valleys of the Moselle and Sûre rivers, within its flagship region called Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland. It is a paradise for hikers and bikers with many cycling routes.
Luxembourg is divided into 2 main regions: the Oesling in the north and the Guttland in the center/south.
The Oesling or Eisleck, in the north of Luxembourg, in the Ardennes massif
In the north of the country, the landscape is very green with many forests and narrow valleys, lakes and rivers. The region is essentially rural and agricultural.
There are beautiful natural parks like the park of the Haute-Sûre. The lake of the Haute-Sûre located in the region represents the largest water point in Luxembourg. It also provides 70% of the country with drinking water. There is also the Natural Park of Our.
The most important cities in the north of the country are: Diekirch, Vianden, Clervaux, Trois-Vierges, Wiltz, Ettelbrück and Redange-sur-Attert.
The Ardennes plateau above the Wiltz basin has many forests and contrasting landscapes.
The climate is rather harsh in this part of the Ardennes.
The Trois-Vierges plateau in the north of Luxembourg is the coldest and rainiest region of the country. There is a lot of arable land.
The center with the Guttland or “good country
The Centre concentrates the bulk of the country’s population. It is the region around the capital of Luxembourg.
The Guttland extends in the center and west of the country and constitutes 68% of Luxembourg’s territory. In addition to the villages, there are restored farms, castles surrounded by meadows, fields and forests forming a green belt around the city of Luxembourg.
You can visit the Valley of the Seven Castles, as well as Gallo-Roman sites in Dalheim and the Moselle Valley.
The Luxembourg Sandstone plateau
This region is the most important one in Guttland. It concentrates the most beautiful forests in Luxembourg. There are also large valleys that are mainly devoted to agriculture.
The Müllerthal or Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland
The Müllerthal region is very popular for trekking enthusiasts. You can make beautiful hikes in the middle of a very picturesque landscape of eroded rocks. The valleys are narrow and steep, dotted with rooted trees. The main town is Echternach.
The Luxembourg Moselle
The Moselle region, located in the south-east of the country, offers very beautiful landscapes. The roads wind between the Moselle Valley and the Luxembourg vineyards. It is also possible to make small cruises on the Moselle, the border between Luxembourg and Germany. The main cities are Grevenmacher on the German border and Remich in the southern part. The Moselle Valley is a region of wine and crémant production.
The Red Earths
In the southwest of the country are the Red Lands, whose name comes from the presence of iron ore. This iron and steel past ensured the wealth of Luxembourg from the second half of the 19th century until about 1980. These sites are to be visited as witnesses of the mining history of the country. The main cities in the south are Esch-sur-Alzette with the Belval pole, Differdange and Dudelange.
Today, this part of the country is reconverting to high-tech, while ensuring the conversion of industrial sites into modern urban landscapes. Numerous companies are located here, as well as the university and the largest concert hall in the country.
The river network
Luxembourg is drained by many rivers. The regions are rather humid. The 4 most important rivers are the Moselle, the Sûre, the Our and the Alzette.
All Luxembourg’s rivers are part of the Rhine basin, via the Moselle, one of its main tributaries. The Moselle River marks the border with Germany and flows into the Rhine at Koblenz.
The small river Pétrusse plays an important role in the animation of the capital Luxembourg. Ell is the seat of the famous “Duck race” and animates the lower town. The Pétrusse Valley is currently being redeveloped. It flows into the Alzette, forming a beautiful walking area for the residents.
The semi-continental climate of Luxembourg
Luxembourg’s climate is semi-continental, with oceanic influences. The climate oscillates between more or less marked seasonal variations, with precipitation throughout the year. Winters can be harsh, or on the contrary mild and rainy.
The average temperatures vary between 0° and 5°C. Snowfall can be frequent, especially in the north of the country. It is freezing, especially at night, and the thermometer can drop to minus 10°C.
In summer, temperatures average between 16° and 20°C. We can reach peaks of 30°C in summer with a beautiful blue sky especially in July and August. The hottest months are June, July and August. September and October can be synonymous with Indian summer.
The seasons can also be rainy, with quite gray skies. The north and the south of the country can have temperatures differentiated by 2 degrees.
You want to know the history of Luxembourg and its political institutions?
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