Animals and Plants

What is growing in Luxembourg?

The north of Luxembourg is predominantly forested. 55 percent of Luxembourg’s forest areas are in the Ösling, which only makes up 32 percent of the total area of ​​the country. Oak, beech and hornbeam, maple, Douglas fir and spruce grow here. Spruce trees were planted after World War II because they grow quickly.

Tanned hedges are particularly typical. These are oaks that were planted to obtain their bark. This oak bark, the tan, was used earlier for tanning. In places where no forest grows, the bell heather is a typical plant. It is a small shrub with needle-shaped leaves.

The south, the Gutland, is used for agriculture. There are mainly fields and pastureland here. The forests here consist mainly of oak and hornbeam. Even Mediterranean plants such as real germander and grape germander grow in the southeast.

Which animals live in Luxembourg?

Red deer, foxes, pine marten, squirrels, badgers and wild boars live in the Ösling. You can also find wild cats and beavers. Hedgehogs, moles, mice, and hares are smaller mammals that live across the country. Birds of prey and rare species of birds such as black stork and hazel grouse are among the feathered inhabitants of the north. In the south, rare species of birds have been seen such as the yellow mocker, the yellow wagtail or the skylark. Kingfishers, gray herons, cormorants, pond claws and white claws live in the water.

The ciliate bat also moves in flight. It occurs all over the country. Fine hair on the top of the flight skin gave it its name. Luxembourg is also known for its abundance of fish. One reptile that you might encounter is the heat-loving wall lizard.

One problem, not only in Luxembourg, is that new species are constantly immigrating. Some of them pose a threat because they displace native species.

Economy

It’s about money!

According to militarynous, Luxembourg has a stable economy. The economy is growing and unemployment is low. The salaries are high. The average income is two and a half times that of the average European. Almost half of those employed in Luxembourg do not live in the country, but commute here from France, Belgium or Germany.

Luxembourg’s most important industry is finance. Many banks and insurance companies have settled here. Luxembourg is also attractive for foreign companies because taxes are low. The proximity to Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands is also very good for the Luxembourg economy. Finance is one of the services, such as telecommunications, retail or restaurants. Services generate a total of 87 percent of the entire economy.

Financial services alone make up 25 percent of this. Because the economy is so dependent on this area, it is also vulnerable, for example in financial crises.

Cereals and grapes

Although around half of the country’s area is used for agriculture, it only makes 0.2 percent profit for Luxembourg’s economy. Only a few people work in this area. Grapes, barley, oats, potatoes, wheat and fruit are grown. Most of the cows graze in the pastures.

Iron and steel – less than before!

Up until the 1970s, heavy industry was Luxembourg’s most important economic sector. Steel and iron are still produced today, but to a much lesser extent than before. Chemical products, car tires, plastics, machines, cars, glass, clothing and food are now also manufactured. Lime, iron ore, slate, sand and gravel are mined. The focus of the industry is in the southwest of the country.

Eating in Luxembourg

What do you eat in Luxembourg?

Due to Luxembourg’s location between France, Germany and Belgium there are many similarities to the cuisines of these countries. Many dishes from home-style German cuisine have been refined with French finesse. Meanwhile, Portuguese immigrants have also influenced what people like to eat.

A typical dish from Luxembourg is Judd mat Gaardebounen. It’s smoked pork with broad beans. You also like beans in the Bouneschlupp, a bean soup with potatoes. Large dumplings made from flour, eggs and water are called Kniddelen and taste good as a side dish. The most famous salad from Luxembourg is the Feierstengszalot. This is a boiled beef salad that is eaten cold. Eggs and capers are added to the cubes of beef. The food in Luxembourg is traditionally hearty and simple.

People also like to eat fish, such as pike or trout. Crayfish also land on the plate. Mussels are also very popular. Ham from the Ösling is a specialty that people like to eat with potatoes and salad. Blood sausage is called Träipen here, and potato pancakes are known as Gromperekichelcher. One likes to eat cooked cheese on bread, the kachkéis. That’s often enough at lunchtime. The whole thing is served warm and with mustard.

Sweets also taste good in Luxembourg. Quetschentaart is the name of the plum tart, which is baked mainly in autumn. Omelette soufflée au kirsch is another dessert. Chocolate rolls are reminiscent of croissants, aachtchen are shaped like an eight and filled with pudding. During the carnival season there are those who have lost their lives. Two short strands of dough are woven together and then fried in hot oil. Schuedi is Luxembourg butter cake. You can bake it up – take a look at our hands-on recipe !