Luxembourg

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 * Country Research by ** Natalie Chow
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Importance to maintain close ties with neighbouring country as it is not large enough to be self-sufficient || Highly involved with I.T and financial industries Limited military involvement ||
 * Country Name
 * // Luxembourg //** || Information and Data || Interpretation ||
 * Location, Territory and Neighbours || * Western Europe (Between France & Germany)
 * 2,586 square kilometers (Country comparison in terms of area- including land and water): 179
 * Slightly smaller than the state of Rhoda Island, USA
 * Landlocked – there is no coastline or maritime claims
 * Neighbouring Countries – France, Belgium, Germany
 * Luxembourg and Belgium = economic union: inter-exchangeable currency and customs
 * Largest nation of influence: Germany || Small country with limited access to natural resources
 * Political environment Format of government || * Constitutional monarchy
 * Head of State : Grand Duke Henri, Prime Minister: Jean-Claude Juncker
 * Monarchy is hereditary, elections to the Chamber of Deputies, leader of majority parties/majority coalition is appointed monarch (PM is responsible for Chamber of Deputies)
 * Divided into 12 countries for administration – for elections, it is subdivided into 4 electoral districts
 * Strongly associated with the Catholic Church
 * Politics + government are characterized as stable and long-serving
 * 2008 – Grade Duke Henri refused to sign a bill approving euthanasia – resolved by constitutional reform, removing need for laws to be approved by Monarch || Stable government system with limited conflict ||
 * Economic situation || * Small, stable high-income economy
 * Benefits from proximity to France, Belgium and Germany
 * GDP per capita ranks among the highest in the world and the highest in the Euro zone
 * Based on foreign + cross boarder workers making up 60% of its labour force)
 * Solid growth, low inflation and low unemployment
 * Unemployment = 5.7%
 * Close connections with the rest of Europe = too small to create a self-sustaining internal market
 * Industries = banking and financial services, iron + steel, I.T, telecommunications
 * Exports = machinery + equipment, steel products, chemicals, rubber products, glass
 * Exports = 22.2% Germany, 15.6% France
 * Military Expenditures = 0.9% GDP || Very stable economy with close economic ties with the neighbouring + European countries - exports + imports are highly important
 * Natural resources, main trading partners, economic interests || * Information technology + electronic commerce = important components of Luxembourg’s economy
 * Modest agricultural resources = livestock has surpluses
 * Iron ore deposits have been exhausted by the 1980 - no energy sources
 * Root of economic growth = use of capital and adaptability + ingenuity of its workforce rather than in natural resources
 * Energy needs = imports
 * Production + export of iron and steel have played major roles in Luxembourg’s economy
 * One of the capitals of the EU – home to the European Court of Justice, European Investment Bank = decision making independence within the EU’s institutional system
 * Germany + Belgium + France = receive 60% of exports + 80% of imports || Again, lack of natural resources means a dependency on other countries, especially those in Europe and those neighbouring its border – important to maintain these relationships + to follow through on membership in organizations

|| Literacy rates are high meaning that it has an educated population Many public services of high standards available to the citizens meaning a high standard of living || Need of natural resources || Economic + finance are of high importance in Luxembourg ||
 * Social composition || * Population = 517,000
 * 0 – 14 years = 18.1%
 * 15 – 64 years = 66.9%
 * 65 + = 15.1%
 * Median age = 39.5 years
 * 85% = urban population
 * 100% = age 15 + can read and write
 * High standard, compulsory, state-funded health care health care is free + subsidized – available to all citizens + registered long – term residents
 * Free, public education – legally allowed to leave at age 15
 * 87% = Roman Catholic
 * Languages = Luxembourgish, German + French
 * Voting age = 18 - compulsory || Fairly young population with most falling in within the working ages at the present
 * Recent history or history that defines current opinion and culture || * Luxembourg legalizes abortion demand (within the last 2 weeks) || Religious ties/values?
 * Recent conflicts or unresolved border disputes. Any other disputes? || If you haven’t mentioned these yet, they are important. || How do they affect relations elsewhere? Is there domestic or external pressure to resolve this? Does anyone even care? Why or why not? ||
 * Membership of various organizations || * European Union
 * NATO
 * OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation + Development) – 34 countries committed to democracy +free market economy
 * United Nations
 * Benelux (Union of states = Belgium, Netherlands + Luembourg) || Close ties with the other countries in these organizations
 * Treaties and Agreements || * China + Luxembourg celebrate 40 years of diplomatic ties || Close ties with the neighbouring European countries + China ||
 * Any interesting or fun facts about the country or culture || Did you know…? || Does this give us any insight into the people? ||

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