Moien! Welcome to the world’s only remaining Grand Duchy—Luxembourg!

A small, landlocked powerhouse in Western Europe nestled between Belgium, France, and Germany. There are around 700,000 people living here, and the capital is Luxembourg City, a stunning place where ultra-modern European Union buildings sit atop ancient cliffside fortifications. The national language is Luxembourgish, but French and German are also official and used for everything from laws to newspapers.

Luxembourg covers about 2,586 square kilometers (998 square miles). The country is roughly the same size as the state of Rhode Island in the U.S., or about half the size of the city of Istanbul. Despite its small footprint, it is divided into two distinct regions: the rugged, forested Oesling in the north (part of the Ardennes) and the fertile Gutland in the south.

The most popular sports are Cycling and Football, with the country having produced several legendary Tour de France winners. Their national animal is the Red Lion, which appears prominently on their civil ensign and heraldry.

The flag consists of three horizontal stripes of red, white, and light blue, where the red represents courage, the white symbolizes peace, and the blue stands for the sky and determination.

The food is a delightful mix of French finesse and German heartiness. You must try Judd mat Gaardebounen, the national dish, which is smoked collar of pork served with broad beans in a creamy sauce. Another favorite is Gromperekichelcher, which are delicious, crispy potato pancakes usually found at every festival and market. Being in the heart of Europe, they are also famous for their White Wines from the Moselle Valley and high-quality chocolates.

Luxembourg is home to the Bock Casemates, a massive underground tunnel system carved into the city’s cliffs that served as a fortress for centuries. The country is a founding member of the European Union and serves as one of its three official capitals, hosting the European Court of Justice. In 2020, Luxembourg became the first country in the world to make all public transport free for everyone! For nature lovers, the Mullerthal region, often called “Little Switzerland,” offers enchanting mossy rock formations and waterfalls that look like they belong in a fantasy novel. It is also consistently ranked as one of the safest and wealthiest nations on Earth.

From the medieval charm of Vianden Castle to the high-tech banking district of Kirchberg, Luxembourg is a tiny country with a massive global influence. Äddi! That means “Goodbye!”