Luxembourg plateau
Encyclopedia
The Luxembourg plateau is a large Early Jurassic
sandstone
plateau
in south-central Luxembourg
. Lying mostly between 300 metres (984.3 ft) and 400 metres (1,312.3 ft), it is the dominant part of the Gutland
region.
The mid-Alzette
runs through the Luxembourg plateau, whilst the Black Ernz
, White Ernz
, Mamer, and Syre
also have their sources
on the Luxembourg plateau. The highest point is in the Grünewald
, at 437 metres (1,433.7 ft). In terms of land use, the plateau is a patchwork of forests and farmland. Some of Luxembourg's most fertile soil is on the plateau, but other economic priorities and environmental
pressure contribute to agriculture
forming only a very small part of economic activity on the plateau.
The plateau is the most populous sub-region of Luxembourg, being inhabited by over 170,000 people. Economically and socially, Luxembourg City dominates the plateau, with almost half of the population of the large sub-region. Other towns on the plateau include Bascharage
, Bertrange
, Howald
, Mamer
, and Strassen
, all of which have populations in excess of 4,000 people. The economy of the region is focused on administration, financial services
, tourism
, and high tech
industry.
Early Jurassic
The Early Jurassic epoch is the earliest of three epochs of the Jurassic period...
sandstone
Sandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...
plateau
Plateau
In geology and earth science, a plateau , also called a high plain or tableland, is an area of highland, usually consisting of relatively flat terrain. A highly eroded plateau is called a dissected plateau...
in south-central Luxembourg
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 in the south...
. Lying mostly between 300 metres (984.3 ft) and 400 metres (1,312.3 ft), it is the dominant part of the Gutland
Gutland (Luxembourg)
Gutland is a region covering the southern and central parts of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Gutland covers 68% of the territory of Luxembourg; to the north of Gutland lies the Oesling, which covers the remaining 32% of the Grand Duchy....
region.
The mid-Alzette
Alzette
The Alzette is a river with a length of 73 kilometers in France and Luxembourg. It is a right tributary of the Sauer.It rises in Thil near the town Villerupt in the Meurthe-et-Moselle département, France. It crosses the border with Luxembourg after a few kilometres. In Lameschmillen it is joined...
runs through the Luxembourg plateau, whilst the Black Ernz
Black Ernz
The Black Ernz is a river flowing through Luxembourg, joining the Sauer at Grundhof. It flows through the towns of Junglinster and Mullerthal....
, White Ernz
White Ernz
The White Ernz is a river flowing through Luxembourg, joining the Sauer at Reisdorf. It flows through the towns of Larochette, Medernach and Ermsdorf....
, Mamer, and Syre
Syre
The Syre or Syr is a river flowing through Luxembourg, joining the Moselle in Mertert. It flows through Schuttrange, Roodt-sur-Syre, Betzdorf and Manternach....
also have their sources
Source (river or stream)
The source or headwaters of a river or stream is the place from which the water in the river or stream originates.-Definition:There is no universally agreed upon definition for determining a stream's source...
on the Luxembourg plateau. The highest point is in the Grünewald
Grunewald (Luxembourg)
The Grünewald is a forest in central Luxembourg, most of which is owned by the national government. Grünewald stretches through the communes of Niederanven, Steinsel, and Walferdange; the centre of the forest is situated north-east of central Luxembourg City. As a result of its proximity to...
, at 437 metres (1,433.7 ft). In terms of land use, the plateau is a patchwork of forests and farmland. Some of Luxembourg's most fertile soil is on the plateau, but other economic priorities and environmental
Environmentalism
Environmentalism is a broad philosophy, ideology and social movement regarding concerns for environmental conservation and improvement of the health of the environment, particularly as the measure for this health seeks to incorporate the concerns of non-human elements...
pressure contribute to agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
forming only a very small part of economic activity on the plateau.
The plateau is the most populous sub-region of Luxembourg, being inhabited by over 170,000 people. Economically and socially, Luxembourg City dominates the plateau, with almost half of the population of the large sub-region. Other towns on the plateau include Bascharage
Bascharage
Bascharage is a commune and a town in south-western Luxembourg. It is part of the canton of Capellen, which is part of the district of Luxembourg., the town of Bascharage, which lies in the centre of the commune, has a population of 7,495...
, Bertrange
Bertrange
Bertrange is a commune and town in south-western Luxembourg. It is located 6.5 km west of Luxembourg City., the town of Bertrange, which lies in the north-east of the commune, has a population of 6,021 of which just over half are Luxemburgers...
, Howald
Howald
Howald is a town in the commune of Hesperange, in southern Luxembourg. The town merges almost seamlessly with Luxembourg City's south-eastern suburban quarter of South Bonnevoie, which lies to the north of Howald...
, Mamer
Mamer
Mamer is a commune and town in south-western Luxembourg. It is located west of Luxembourg City. The commune includes the town of Mamer, and also the smaller communities of Capellen and Holzem. Mamer is situated on the river Mamer, a tributary of the Alzette...
, and Strassen
Strassen, Luxembourg
Strassen is a commune and town in central Luxembourg. It is part of the canton of Luxembourg, which is part of the district of Luxembourg.In 2011, the town of Strassen has a population of 7500 citizens....
, all of which have populations in excess of 4,000 people. The economy of the region is focused on administration, financial services
Financial services
Financial services refer to services provided by the finance industry. The finance industry encompasses a broad range of organizations that deal with the management of money. Among these organizations are credit unions, banks, credit card companies, insurance companies, consumer finance companies,...
, tourism
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
, and high tech
High tech
High tech is technology that is at the cutting edge: the most advanced technology currently available. It is often used in reference to micro-electronics, rather than other technologies. The adjective form is hyphenated: high-tech or high-technology...
industry.