Physical Regions
The Oesling
It is located in the North and is the least important. This is
because it is composed of high level moots and extensive woods. It contains
only small numbers of people, and farming is restricted to rye, oats
and potato growing.
The Oesling is a region covering the
northern part of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, within the greater Ardennes area that also covers
parts of Belgium and France. The Oesling covers 32% of the territory of Luxembourg; to the
south of the Oesling lies the Gutland, which covers the remaining 68% of the Grand Duchy.
The region is characterised
by hills and large deciduous forests. Almost all of Luxembourg's tallest hills are in the Oesling, particularly in the north and north-west, near the borders with
Belgium and Germany. Its main hill chains are cut by scenic river valleys, most
notable those of the Clerve, Our, upper Sauer, and Wiltz.
The Oesling is sparsely-populated, with
few large towns; Clervaux, Vianden, and Wiltz are
the largest, of which only Wiltz has a population of over 2,000 people.
Instead, the area is known for its numerous picturesque hill-side villages,
which rely upon the visitors that the tourist season brings.
The Gutland
This
region is also known as the Bon pays. It covers the southern two- thirds of
Luxembourg and has 85 per cent. Of the
population