Despite its size, it is a center of European diplomacy and it outranks many other countries as an iron and steel producer. The country is composed of two natural regions. Luxembourg city, the capital, is in the Good Land, as is most of the population and industry. The northern third of the country, called sling, lies in the plateau of the Ardennes.
Picturesque castles dot the landscape.
The climate is mild and damp. In recent years there has been a continuing trend of people moving away from the countryside to Luxembourg's larger towns. One of every four people in the country is a foreigner. To promote rapid industrial development in the 20th century, the government actively encouraged workers to come from other countries. This, combined with a low birthrate, has brought about a population two thirds of which is of working age.