NationStates Jolt Archive


*RENEWED* The Grand Duchy of van Luxemburg factbook

Van Luxemburg
06-05-2005, 19:00
Background

History:

200 B.C. Van Luxemburg is the name of a Gallic Chieftain, living in the RL Luxembourg area. when the Romans came, Chieftain Van Luxemburg was put in prison and forgotten. luckily, the son of the Chieftain was free to go. after 400 years, the romans were beaten, thanks to the leadership of Chieftain Godefried, grandson of the great chieftain. in the Time of the early middleages, the Chieftain decided he would join the French kings, and Chieftain Godefried became one of Karel the Great's landlords, unfortunately, no prove exists for this. after several chieftains Chieftain Sigefried Van Luxemburg built a castle on the hill where the Future Luxembourg would be built. he called it Lucillinburhuc. Chieftain Sigefried founded a Grand Duchy, becoming the First Grand Duke. when the Time of the Crusaders came, the son of Sigefried, Godefried IV participated and died in Jerusalem, as a hero.
The son of Godefried, Floris I took the power. what he didn't know, was that he was incapable of ruling. He ruined the country with rules like "you may not earn money". when Floris I was killed by angry citizens and soldiers, Floris II, Floris I's son, came to power. he disgusted his fathers reign, and rebuilt the nation. when the Family Luxembourg entered the stage, taking power, Floris II fled with Luxembourg's Navy, about 30 ships, which all still exist in either way, some replica's, some real. he reached an Island, which seemed an Exact copy of Luxembourg and France. Grand Duke Floris II set up a Grand Duchy, while the citizens flooded in. Van Luxemburg became an exact replica of France and Luxembourg, but Floris II's dream always was to rebuild the whole of Europe, with borders near Moscow and St. Petersburg. Van Luxemburg didn't participate in the colonization, but was kept up-to-date with the newest technology of the Time. When Napoleon came to power in Europe, Grand Duke Peter IX allowed a Parliament under his reign, which was allowed by all Grand Dukes in the following history. with World War I and II van Luxemburg supported the allies, fighting off the Axis troops in their Waters. no Axis landing was succesfull. after WWII Van Luxemburg became part of the EU, a place that didn't last long. Van Luxemburg resigned in 1960. nothing actually happened during the last 40 years, till 13 April 2000, when Koen Van Luxemburg was crowned Grand Duke, at the age of 9. he was granted an Improvised driving license for any vehicle, and got the remaining 300 billion from his father, which had resigned and put his son in power. soon after the crowning, people saw that Koen was a Born leader, the one who always makes the right decisions. Koen made another 200 billion in the last five years, completely refurbished the army, the Expressways were redone, social services were improved and drugs was absolutely forbidden, like smoking. the grow of van Luxemburg has been enormous, so much in fact, that Koen has ordered the enlargement of land 2 times this year. the Grand Duchy now is as big as Floris II dreamed it to be.

Geography

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b76/VanLuxemburg/vlmap2.jpg

Location:
Area(estimated):
total: 84,582,000 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than the RL Europe, Asia and Africa
border countries: none
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
Climate:
Cold in the north, temperate in the middle, hot to very hot in the south.
Terrain:
fairly flat in the north; mountaineous in the south, east and west.
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Dead Sea shore, Israel-Jordan, -400m
highest point: Mount Everest 8850m
Natural resources:
iron ore, arable land, natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, lead, zinc, hydropower, uranium, potash, fish
Land use:
arable land: 45%
permanent crops: 36%
other: 64% (2001)
Environment - current issues:
none.

People

Population:
1,013,987,729(August 2005 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18.4% (male 5,717,761/female 5,440,060)
15-64 years: 65.2% (male 19,784,749/female 19,752,432)
65 years and over: 16.4% (male 4,084,193/female 5,876,983) (2005 est.)
Median age:
total: 38.85 years
male: 37.3 years
female: 40.39 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.37% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:
12.15 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:
9.08 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:
0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 2.75 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 2.76 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 2.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.69 years
male: 79.96 years
female: 81.42 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.85 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.4% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
100,000 (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
less than 100 (2005 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Van Luxemburger(men), Van Luxemburgster(women)
adjective: Van Luxemburgers
Religions:
Roman Catholic 73%-78%, Protestant 12%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%, unaffiliated 4%
Languages:
Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish, Swedish, (Letzebuergs: 100%, English 100%, second languages)
Literacy:
definition: age 11 and over can read and write
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100% (2005 est.)

Government


Country name:
conventional long form: The Grand Duchy of van Luxemburg
conventional short form: Van Luxemburg
local long form: Het Groothertogdom van Luxemburg, Le Grand-Duché de van Luxemburg, Das GroßHerzogtum Van Luxemburg, Groussherzogtum vum Lëtzebuerg
local short form: Van Luxemburg
Government type:
Parliamentarial Monarchy
Capital:
Luxembourg
Independence:
6th June 1392 (Arrival on Van Luxemburg)
National holiday:
Birthday of the Grand Duke, 13 April, Arrival on Van Luxemburg, 6th June
Constitution:
28 September 1958, amended concerning election of president in 1962, 2000 Treaty of Nice; amended to tighten immigration laws in 1993; amended in 2000 to change the seven-year presidential term to a five-year term
Legal system:
civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative but not legislative acts
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Grand Duke Koen VAN LUXEMBURG(since 13 April 2000)
head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Pierre CLAUDE (since 7 May 2002)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the Grand-Duke on the suggestion of the prime minister
elections: Prime-minister elected by popular vote for a five-year term (changed from seven-year term in October 2000); election last held 21 April and 5 May 2002 (next to be held, first round April 2007, second round May 2007); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly majority and appointed by the Grand Duke
elections: Senate - last held 26 September 2004 (next to be held September 2007); National Assembly - last held 8-16 June 2002 (next to be held not later than June 2007)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Appeals or Cour de Cassation (judges are appointed by the Minister of Justice from nominations of the High Council of the Judiciary and the People); Constitutional Council or Conseil Constitutionnel (three members appointed by the Minister of Justice, three appointed by the Grand Duke, and three appointed by the People); Council of State or Conseil d'Etat
Flag description:
three equal Horizantal bands of Red, White and light Blue with Royal shield in the middle; known as the "Le drapeau Grand-Ducale" ( Tricolor of the Grand Duke),
http://tinypic.com/4vl092


Economy

see: Thirdgeek (http://nseconomy.thirdgeek.com/nseconomy.php?nation=van+Luxemburg)

Communication

Telephones - main lines in use:
1013,905,400 (July 2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
997,683,100 (July 2005)
Telephone system:
general assessment: highly developed
domestic: extensive cable and microwave radio relay; extensive introduction of fiber-optic cable; extensive satellite system
international: country code - 13; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (with total of 5 antennas - 2 for Indian Ocean and 3 for Atlantic Ocean), NA Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region); HF radiotelephone communications
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 4100, FM about 30,500 (this figure is an approximation and includes many repeaters), shortwave 200 (July 2005)
Television broadcast stations:
5840 (plus 9,676 repeaters) (July 2005)
Internet country code:
.vl
Internet hosts:
40,396,761 (July 2005)
Internet users:
1012.2 million (July 2005)

Transportation

Railways:
total: 773,000 km (July 2005)
standard gauge: 773,333 km 1.435-m gauge (772,320 km electrified) (July 2005)
narrow gauge: 667 km 1.000-m gauge (2003)
Highways:
total: 5,893,100 km (July 2005)
paved: 50,893,100 km (including 5,112,000 km of expressways)
unpaved: 0 km (2002)
max. speed on expressways: unlimited
max. speed on normal paved roads: 100 km/h
Waterways(estimated):
78,500 km (71,686 km accessible to craft of 3,000 metric tons) (2000)
Pipelines:
gas 240,232 km; oil 230,024 km; refined products 240,889 km (2004)
Airports:
5,000 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 4,000
over 3,047 m: 1113
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1128
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1195
914 to 1,523 m: 1182
under 914 m: 165 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1300
1,524 to 2,437 m: 13
914 to 1,523 m: 172
under 914 m: 1120 (2004 est.)
Heliports:
120 (2004 est.)

Military

Branches: Royal van Luxemburg Army, Royal van Luxemburg Armee de l'Air (Air Force),
Royal Van Luxemburg Marine (Navy)
Troops: 7.51 million men, 1.4 million soldiers
for more info, visit http://members.lycos.nl/gamefan13/experiences.html

Defense Condition system (DEFCON)
DEFCON 5 Normal peacetime readiness
DEFCON 4 Normal, increased intelligence and strengthened security measures
DEFCON 3 Increase in force readiness above normal readiness
DEFCON 2 Further Increase in force readiness, but less than maximum readiness
DEFCON 1 Maximum force readiness.

National Anthem

d'Nationallidd vum Groussherzogtum vum Lëtzebuerg

Wou d'Uelzécht durech d'Wisen zéit,
Duurch d'Fielsen d'Sauer brécht,
Wou d'Rief laanscht d'Musel dofteg bléit,
Den Himmel Wäin ons mécht:
Dat as onst Land, fir dat mer géif
Heinidden alles won,
Ons Hemechtsland dat mir so déif
An onsen Hierzer dron.
Ons Hemechtsland dat mir so déif
An onsen Hierzer dron.

An sengem donkle Bëscherkranz,
Vum Fridde stëll bewaacht,
Sou ouni Pronk an deire Glanz
Gemittlech léif et laacht;
Säi Vollek frou sech soë kann,
An 't si keng eidel Dreem:
Wéi wunnt et sech sou heemlech dran,
Wéi as 't sou gutt doheem!

Gesank, Gesank vu Bierg an Dall
Der Äärd, déi äis gedron;
D'Léift huet en treie Widderhall
A jidder Broscht gedon;
Fir, d'Hemecht ass keng Weis ze schéin;
All Wuert, dat vun er klénkt,
Gräift äis an d' Séil wéi Himmelstéin
An d'A wéi Feier blénkt.

O Du do uewen, deem séng Hand
Duurch d'Welt d'Natioune leet,
Behitt du d'Lëtzebuerger Land
Vum frieme Joch a Leed;
Du hues ons all als Kanner schon
De fräie Geescht jo ginn,
Looss viru blénken d'Fräiheetssonn,
Déi mir so laang gesinn!
Looss viru blénken d'Fräiheetssonn,
Déi mir so laang gesinn!





Critics and such please!
Van Luxemburg
07-05-2005, 06:29
State Companies

The SNCFVL/NVLS/VLB (Societe Nationale des Chemins de Fer Van Luxembourgoise/Nationale Van Luxemburgse Spoorwegen/Van Luxemburg Bahn) or Van Luxemburgian National Railways is a state company which is the only operator of the van Luxemburg rail network. it is highly advanced and very modern and since several years they're busy to completely revamp the network and material they've got. a short summary on the trains:
the Z-26500 local network train (http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/fr/electric/emu/Z26500/SNCF_Z-26503_AMB_211103_f_p.jpg)
the 36000 class locomotive (http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/fr/electric/dual/36000/multiservice/36000_-_ad.jpg)
the 67000 class diesel locomotive, sparely used on non-electrified tracks. (http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/fr/diesel/67300/multiservice/0045-72.jpg)
one of the passenger cars (http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/fr/car/Eurofima/SNCF_Eurofima_A9u_Nouvelle-Decoration_3b.jpg)
all locomotives are also used for Goods transport, except for the Z-26500.

High speed train
Van Luxemburg is the owner of an extensive number of high speed lines, leading to all important cities in Van Luxemburg. the trains can get to speeds of 330 km/h
the Train, known as "TGV Duplex" (http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/fr/electric/emu/TGV/Duplex/misc/c-rth2002-10-22_16-03-43.jpg)

The police

the Gendarmerie (or Police Municipal) is the main police force of Van Luxemburg. they are about 400.000 men strong, and are commonly armed with an FN Five Seven, a stick and handcuffs, and for the ME (the uproar/uprising control police) a Kevlar shield and Suit and an MP-7 are standard too.
an ME team:
http://www.defense.gouv.fr/portal_repository/869738723__0005/photo_1113384776315767/getData
Gendarmes:
http://www.defense.gouv.fr/portal_repository/869738723__0005/photo_1113384709204325/getData

THE CARS

because Van Luxemburg is a fairly rich nation, the cars are high-class. most cars in middle to high-class are driven.

THE TANGO CONTROL TEAM (TCT)

this is van Luxemburgs main Terrorist control unit, which consists of the Best ME-ers of van Luxemburg. they are specialized in Hostage rescue operations.
they may only operate in van Luxemburg itself. outside of van Luxemburg units of the Army will be used.
an TCT soldier:
http://www.defense.gouv.fr/portal_repository/1540074699__0008/photo_1096376362213868/getData

VanLuxAir

VanLuxAir is the state-owned Airline of van Luxemburg. they employ the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the Airbus A380 (Biggest aircraft in the world)
and the Dassault 9000EX.

numbers:
200 Boeing 787 (picture (http://www.boeing.com/commercial/7e7/images/k63304-4.jpg) )
250 Airbus A380 (picture (http://www.airbus.com/MultimediaElements/3442.jpg) )
150 Dassault 9000EX (picture (http://www.falconjet.com/images/aircraft/photogallery/900ex_3_large.jpg) )

Van Luxemburg Cruising lines

this is the main Ferry-operating company, which operates the ferries and cruise ships.

FERRIES
the ferries of Van Luxemburg Cruising Lines transport people and cars from and to the mainland.
picture (http://www.cruiseferry.de/pictures1d/topferry/napoleonbonaparte.jpg)

CRUISE SHIPS
if you want to get out of Van Luxemburg, you will have to take a boat or an airplane. most of the Van Luxemburgers love to take a holiday with a Cruise Ship
VLS "Koen": picture (http://www.cruiseliners.wanadoo.co.uk/images/queen-mary-2-in-basseterre-roadstead-st-kitts.jpg)
VLS "Luxembourg": picture (http://www.cruiseliners.wanadoo.co.uk/images/grandprincess2.jpg)
VLS "Marseille":picture (http://www.cruiseliners.wanadoo.co.uk/images/224380621NjmtRG_fs.jpg)
VLS "Bordeaux":picture (http://www.cruiseliners.wanadoo.co.uk/images/FLO_1_tr16valor_204913_0116.jpg)
VLS "Grenoble": picture (http://www.cruiseliners.wanadoo.co.uk/images/magica.jpg)
VLS "Paris": picture (http://www.cruiseliners.wanadoo.co.uk/images/CarnivalDestiny01.jpg)
VLS "Diekirch": picture (http://www.cruiseliners.wanadoo.co.uk/images/mariner.jpg)
VLS "Noumerlayen": picture (http://www.cruiseliners.wanadoo.co.uk/images/seas23.jpg)
Van Luxemburg
07-05-2005, 10:24
places to stay when in Luxembourg (capital)
5-Star
Sofitel Luxembourg *****
located in the financial district, this luxury hotel is one of the most modern hotels in the Capital of van Luxemburg
picture (http://images.worldres.com/property/a16000/16436/hotel.jpg)

Hilton Luxembourg *****
located in the hills close to Luxembourg, it is the Ideal place to relax.
picture (http://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/content/LXMHIHI/media/images/LXMHIHI_Hilton_Luxembourg_home_left.jpg)

On The Coast:

near Echternach are the most popular places in the area of Luxembourg, located about 30 kilometres away from the capital.

Imperial Hotel *****

this is a highly modern hotel, standing on the waterside. it has a very complete waterpark with the looks of an desert wateringhole.
picture (http://www.burjalarab-hotel-dubai.com/main.jpg)

The Hydropolis Hotel *****

This Hotel is a world benchmark. why? because it is built under water.
0.5 miles of the coast of Echternach lays this beautiful resort. if you book your room here, you're sure gonna see some fish!
picture (http://www.hydropolis.com/media/images/topview3d.jpg)

The Atlantis Hotel *****
this hotel may look just a bit normal, it isn't! in the bridge, spanning between two towers, is the presidential suite, which costs a stunnishing 25.000 euro's a night!
picture (http://www.kidsclubholidays.com/bahamas/images/atlantis-hotel.jpg)

Van Luxemburgian License plates.

Van Luxemburg has local license plate systems, so people can see from which province they're coming. Police and military units have their own license plates, aswell as high-ranking Government officials.
English Number plates:
yellow behind, white in front. example: 367EXPQL3
French Number plates:
yellow coloured. example: 07475JKV098
German Number plates:
first letters show where the vehicle is coming from. white coloured.
example: HAM 9809EKZH
Benelux number plates:
yellow coloured, the numberplate indicates how old the vehicle is.
example: HJ-JK-33-CD

Telescope

Telescope is a private Van Luxemburgian organisation which includes Ex-SAS, GSG9, GIGN, CIA, SEAL units, and many others. The Organisation is considered Elite and is specialized in silently following their enemies, and Counterterrorism operations. their base locations are classified. when Telescope has been operating, an telescope will be found on that location.
http://members.tripod.com/the_green_berets/graphics/cqb.jpg
Van Luxemburg
07-05-2005, 10:27
The Overseas areas of Van Luxemburg.

Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island, French Guiana Island (just French Guiana in Island form), French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctican Lands, Glorioso Islands, Guadeloupe, Juan de Nova islands, Martinique, Mayotte, New Caledonia, Reunion, Saint Pierre and Miquelon and Tromelin Island are property of Van Luxemburg. there is not much happening here, but on most of the islands a detachement of the Navy is stationed somewhere on the islands, mostly including about 2 or 3 destroyers and about 100 marines or less.

Van Luxemburgers like to go on vacation on those sunny islands, so hotels are quite likely to see on the larger Islands.

Embassy openings

Van Luxemburg is open to Embassy exchanges, and Nations can ask in this thread if they can get one.
restrictions:

1500 sq. mtr2
any person working here can recieve independent housing in the city/area the embassy is in.
no restriction on vehicles
no fighting vehicles, defense by Land, Sea and Air will be done by the Van Luxemburg Armed Forces
max. 20 guards
max. 2 Civilian Helicopters.

http://www.itemb.se/images/embassy-big.jpg
picture of the backside of one of the buildings.

adress:
Rue de la Diplomatique 1-200
Luxembourg-Echternach
(with sea-sights)

please contact van Luxemburg for Embassy exchange.

Consulates

for consulates: see above for restrictions
may be positioned anywhere in van Luxembourg, see map for Reference.
picture (http://www.greekcon.org.yu/CONSULATE.jpg)
Spaniglaandos
07-05-2005, 11:41
ooc: an exelent factbook.
Three thumbs up.
Van Luxemburg
08-05-2005, 16:59
minor updates made.
Van Luxemburg
12-05-2005, 17:04
any comments?
Van Luxemburg
18-05-2005, 18:39
noone?
*fixed some broken links*
Van Luxemburg
25-05-2005, 18:11
bump for replies
(I'm gonna update it somewhere soon)
Van Luxemburg
26-06-2005, 15:36
overhaul because of Territory expansion.
Van Luxemburg
27-06-2005, 07:59
another update, a National Anthem, an official Message template will be launched soon.
Van Luxemburg
08-08-2005, 17:08
Complete overhaul, new history, updated map and country information.
The Vuhifellian States
23-08-2005, 06:04
Dear holy god, this is one of the best factbooks I've read yet...
Van Luxemburg
23-08-2005, 06:22
OOC: No drooling over my pages Vuhifell.! :D
Van Luxemburg
23-08-2005, 15:31
OOC: Let's see what others say about it, BUMP
Van Luxemburg
25-08-2005, 15:30
added info about license plates and "Telescope"
Van Luxemburg
10-09-2005, 10:38
new map added.