Luxembourg

Luxembourg, officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the north as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland ("good country") in the south.

Language

Three languages are recognised as official in Luxembourg: French, German, and Luxembourgish, a Franconian language of the Moselle region that is also spoken in neighbouring parts of France and Germany. Though Luxembourgish is part of the West Central German group of High German languages, more than 5,000 words in the Luxembourgish have their origin in the French language.

Apart from being one of the three official languages, Luxembourgish is also considered the national language of the Grand Duchy; it is the mother tongue or "language of the heart" for nearly all Luxembourgers.

Each of the three languages is used as the primary language in certain spheres. Luxembourgish is the language that Luxembourgers generally use to speak to each other, but it is not often used as the written language. Most official (written) business is carried out in French. German is usually the first language taught in school and is the language of much of the media and of the church.

Luxembourg's education system is trilingual: the first years of primary school are in Luxembourgish, before changing to German, while in secondary school, the language of instruction changes to French. Proficiency in all three languages is required for graduation from secondary school for Muggles, and language proficiency in the magical world is also common.

In addition to the three official languages, English is taught in the compulsory schooling and much of the population of Luxembourg can speak English, at any rate in Luxembourg City.

Magical Culture

Witches and wizards from Luxembourg quite often attend Beauxbatons for their education.

The Ministry in Luxembourg shares resources with the Netherlands and Belgium. This includes an international floo between the three countries, which suits them far better for their local traffic and sharing resources, being smaller countries.

Drammes Apotheke operate a number of apothecaries in the country.

At Absit Omen

Augustus Snark and family lived in Bigonville and was also married there.

Zéphyrine Olivier, mother of Séraphin Olivier is from a notable Luxembourg magical family.

Characters Born in Luxembourg

• Zéphyrine Olivier, mother of Séraphin Olivier