Member state · EU since 1952
The story
The fortress on the Bock rock changed hands among Burgundians, Habsburgs, French, and Prussians for centuries, earning the name Gibraltar of the North before the 1867 Treaty of London neutralised and dismantled it. Occupied in both World Wars, Luxembourg answered by co-founding everything European: the Coal and Steel Community talks, the EU, Schengen (signed on a boat on the Moselle at the village of Schengen itself).
The people
Half the residents are foreign nationals and most Luxembourgers run three languages before lunch: Luxembourgish at home, French in shops, German in print. The result is Europe's most quietly cosmopolitan small society, prosperous, multilingual, and slightly amused at being mistaken for a district of Belgium.
The economy
The world's highest GDP per capita rests on finance: Luxembourg is Europe's largest investment fund centre and second globally after the US. Satellites (SES), steel heritage (ArcelorMittal's HQ), and EU institutions (Court of Justice, European Investment Bank) diversify a tiny but mighty base. All public transport nationwide is free.
Traveling there
The capital's ravine-draped old town and casemates reward a day; the Moselle wine valley, Vianden's castle, and the Mullerthal's rock mazes fill a weekend. It pairs naturally with a Belgium or Rhineland itinerary, free trains included.
Cities to visit