Luxembourg

Luxembourg's story begins with a single castle on a rocky outcrop in 963 and grows into one of Europe's most fascinating small nations. Its position between France and Germany made it a prized fortress for centuries, earning it the nickname "Gibraltar of the North". It became a Grand Duchy in 1815, secured independence and neutrality in 1867, and endured two world wars before becoming a founding member of NATO and the European Union's earliest institutions. It is also the birthplace of the Schengen Agreement, which created Europe's border-free travel area.