Cultural Exploration By Ashley Hanning Period 6 Sociology Mr Bunner

Luxembourg “The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg”

Location: West Europe, between France and Germany Capitol: Luxembourg Languages: Louxembourgish (national language),German and French (administrative language)

National Symbol: Lion Population: 509,074 Religions: 87% Roman Catholic, 13% other (includes Protestant, Jewish and Muslim)

National Motto: Mir wëlle bleiwe, war mir sin  Close extended families with neighbors to a degree Family is the 1 st priority Parents are intimately involved in the education and career choices of their children Personal life is kept separate from business Privacy is important

Economy Small yet high income society Solid growth,low inflation,low unemployment Labor force: 2% agricultural 17% industry 81% services Industrial: Steel and chemicals Agricultural products: grapes, barley, potatoes, wheat, fruits, dairy and livestock products Services: Banking and Financial services

History  Constitutional monarchy  Admin. Districts: Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg  Legal system: civil law system  Gained independence from the Netherlands in 1839  Founded in 963  1839 Lost half it's territory to Belguimx  1957 became one of the six founding countries of the European Economic Community

Fun Facts! The official name of Luxembourg is ‘Grand Duchy of Luxembourg’. The country is the only remaining sovereign Grand Duchy in the world. It is one of the smallest countries in Europe as well as the world. Luxembourg was designated as the third best country for business efficiency in the entire EU in 2005, after Finland and Denmark. Luxembourg has the highest GDP per capita in the world, which is nearly three times the EU average. Luxembourg had over 155 banks in the country, in March For this reason, it is also a well-known tax-haven Luxembourg is one of the founding members of the European Union, NATO, the United Nations, Benelux and the Western European Union

Timor-Leste “The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste”

Location: Southeastern asia, Northwest of Australia Capitol: Dili Flag (symbol): Yellow - the traces of colonialism in Timor- Leste's history; Black - the obscurationism that needs to be overcome; Red - the struggle for national liberation; White - peace Language: Tetum (official), Portuguese (official), Indonesian, English

Religion: 98% Roman catholic 1% Muslim 1% Protestant Values, beliefs, norms: ethno-cultural heterogeneity Culturally influenced by the Portuguese That all persons have equal rights to health, education, self- realization and fulfilment of socio- economic potential.

Economy Low income country Even with the oil and gas in it's offshore waters, it has done little to create jobs because there is no production facilities in Timor-Leste 40% of the population lives in poverty Government spending has increased for primary infrastructures such as roads and electricity The country may be going into debt for the first time in it's 10-year history. One of the least developed country ie basic income, health and literacy level similar to that of sub- Saharan Africa.

Agricultural products: coffee, rice, corn, cassava, sweet potatoes, soybeans, cabbage, mangoes, bananas and vanilla Industrial products: printing, soap manufacturing, handicrafts, woven cloth

History The Portuguese began to trade with Timor in the early 16 th century Imperial Japan occupied Portuguese Timor till their defeat in WW2. November 28, 1975 East Timor declared independence from Portugal. July 1996 became a providence of Indonesia but gained independence in a UN vote on August February 2008, a rebel group staged an unsuccessful attack against the president and prime minister

Conflicts/Current Events Land disputes between Indonesia and Refugees occupying the space 2007, Australia and Timor-Leste signed a 50- year development zone and revenue sharing agreement

Would I live there? Luxembourg Yes, I would live in Luxembourg probably because of its high income living, low inflation and low unemployment rates as well for its location between Germany and France. Timor-Leste No, because of it's relatively new as a country and its economy is threatening to go into a debt it wont be able to handle. (As well as it's land disputes with Indonesia)

Sources factbook/

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