Luxembourg

Luxembourg, capital city of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, situated at the confluence of the Alzette and Pétrusse rivers. Also called Luxembourg-Ville (Luxembourg City) and Lützelburg, the city is the country's chief administrative and economic centre and of international importance as the seat of the Court of Justice of the European Communities (see European Court of Justice), the European Investment Bank, and as a joint seat (with Strasbourg in France) of the European Parliament.

The old medieval city, located on the rocky Bock Peninsula between the two rivers, is surrounded by residential and industrial suburbs. Goods produced in the factories include iron and steel, textiles, clothing, machinery, chemicals, processed food, and beer. The University of Luxembourg (2003) and a conservatory of music (1904) are there. Historic landmarks in Luxembourg include the 17th-century Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Grand Ducal Palace (1572), and a 19th-century city hall.

Located on the ruins of a Roman settlement, Luxembourg developed in the 10th century as a fortress community. Its large fort, strengthened in later years, was held by a succession of European powers until finally dismantled in 1867, when Luxembourg was recognized as a neutral European power. The city was occupied by the Germans in both World War I and World War II. The historic part of the city and its fortifications were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Population 83,800 (2007 estimate).