Geography of Luxembourg

Luxembourg is a small country located in the Low Countries, part of North-West Europe. It borders Belgium for 148 kilometres (92 miles) to the west and north, France (73 km [45 mi]) to the south, and Germany (138 km [86 mi]) to the east. Because it is landlocked, Luxembourg is separated from the North Sea by Belgium.

The land in Luxembourg has two very different parts. The northern third, called the Éislek, is hilly, while the southern two-thirds, known as the Gutland, is flat. The longest river in the country is the Sauer, which flows into the Moselle. Other important rivers include the Alzette in the south and the Wiltz in the north.

The capital and largest city is Luxembourg City, located in the Gutland. Most people live in the southern part of the country, including towns like Esch-sur-Alzette, Dudelange, and Differdange. Other main towns are found in the southern Red Lands region, close to the border with France.

Physical geography

Luxembourg may be small, but it has many different landscapes. The north is part of the Ardennes with heights between 450 and 560 metres (1,500 to 1,800 feet). The rest of the country has rolling hills and wide valleys, with the capital, Luxembourg City, in the south.

Much of Luxembourg’s land is used for grazing cattle because the soil is hard to farm. The Upper Sûre National Park in the north is a popular area for hikers. South of the Sûre River lies the Gutland, which makes up most of the country. This area has fertile soil, so many fruits like strawberries, apples, plums, and cherries are grown there. The southern part has red rocks and lots of iron ore, making it a historic mining area.

Luxembourg has several rivers. The largest is the Moselle, which starts in France, flows through Luxembourg for 31 km (19 mi), and then joins the Rhine in Germany. The Sûre runs from Belgium through Luxembourg and into the Moselle. The Our river marks part of the border with Germany. The biggest lake is the Upper Sûre lake, which is great for sailing, canoeing, and kayaking. The town of Esch-sur-Sûre is near this lake.

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Moselle at Wasserbillig - 133 m
highest point: Kneiff near Wilwerdange - 560 m

Environment

Luxembourg has a mild climate with warm summers and cool winters. The weather can change often, especially in the north, where rain and cloudy days are common during winter. The south gets a bit more sun and warmth, which is great for growing crops like grapes.

The country has many different kinds of trees, such as beech and oak, which grow tall and strong. Along rivers, you can find black alder and willow trees. These trees are special because they stay healthy even in tough conditions. Some rare animals, like the European otter, live in the valleys of the north. Even in places where people used to dig for minerals, nature has returned with many colorful flowers.

Geographical statistics

Geographic coordinates: 49°45′N 6°10′E / 49.750°N 6.167°E / 49.750; 6.167

Luxembourg covers an area of 2,586 square kilometers. It is made up completely of land with no bodies of water. The country has some natural resources, such as iron ore, though it is no longer mined. Most of the land is used for purposes other than farming, with only a small part used for crops. The country also has a small amount of land that is irrigated and a modest supply of renewable water.

Area:
total: 2 586 km²
land: 2 586 km²
water: 0 km²

Natural resources: iron ore (no longer exploited), arable land

Land use:
arable land: 23.9%
permanent crops: 0.56%
other: 75.52% (2011)

Irrigated land: 10 km² (including Belgium) (1993 est.)

Total renewable water resources: 3.1 km³