Territory, environment and energy

Climate

Luxembourg has a sub-Atlantic climate which tends to be damp and cool. The average annual temperature is about 9°C. The data for this section is provided by the automatic meteorological stations of the Administration des services techniques de l’agriculture [Agricultural Technical Services Administration] (ASTA). All of the data collected by the ASTA's meteorological department is published on the website.

Energy

The issued of energy is a central theme in our society. The dependence on foreign resources, the volatility of prices for the products, the limited reserves fossil fuels and global warming are only a few examples of our current concerns.

This section proposes the interested user with a set of comprehensive energy statistics for Luxembourg. The following major issues will be dealt with: energy outlook, energy supply and use, renewable energies, the energy prices and market, the impact on the environment.

Environment

The diversity of landscapes gives Luxembourg its charm, and the numerous green areas have recreational and touristic character. The industrialisation, urbanisation and installation of diverse infrastructures which characterise an economy and a highly developed society are nonetheless the source of deterioration in the environment, which is certainly variable depending on the location. This section provides the figures on the state of health of the environment and the measures taken by the authorities to safeguard the natural resource and the quality of life of the residents.

The statistical data available involve à priori the water and air quality and the waste collection and disposal measures. More detailed data is available on the Luxembourg government's portal for the environment at the address www.environnement.public.lu.

Territory

Except for Malta, Luxembourg is the smallest of the 27 member States of the European Union. The total area of the country is 2,586 km².

Situated between Belgium to the west and north, Germany to the east and France to the south, Luxembourg measures 57 km from west to east, and 82 km from north to south. From an administrative point of view, the territory is split into twelve cantons and 102 communes.

The country has two natural regions. "Éisleck" (Oesling) in the north, which represents about a third of the territory, is a hilly area with an average altitude of 450 m, with numerous water courses running through it. It forms part of the Ardennes massif. "Guttland" (Good country) in the south, an undulating plain, has an average altitude of 250 m. A third of the territory is covered by forests, and half of it is used for farming and wine-growing purposes.