The grand duchy of Luxembourg owes its growth to the exploitation of oolitic iron and its conversion in the iron and steel works established in the mining basin from 1870 onwards. The industrial upswing attracted a large labour force from all the regions of the country and from abroad, from eastern europe and especially from Italy. This influx of people from different backgrounds gave birth to a multicultural society. After a difficult period, urbanization developed, thanks to the combined efforts of the public authorities and the iron and steel companies. After 1975, the structural and economic crisis of the steel sector led the public authorities in concert with the iron and steel compagnies and the trade unions (tripartite action) to tackle the restructuring of heavy industry. This leading to the closure of some steel plants and synergism with foreign iron and steel firms. The great reduction in the number of persons employed (from 27766 in 1974 to 6700 in 1996) was achieved in a variety of ways (bonuses to take up other employment, redeployment, early retirement) but without ever any dismissals. At the same time, the industrial diversification commenced in the 1960's was accelerated. Efforts now being concentrated on the mining basin which had been severely hit by the crisis, the being at the expense of the northern region. From 1978, industrial zones of a national character were created in the basin. Numerous industries were subsequently established there. These zones are located near the major road and rail links and, with the exception of the "European development zone", they are all situated on former agricultural land. Business activities have therefore shifted towards the communes adjoining the iron and steel communes. This outward movement has led to increase in commuter traffic both within the mining basin and in an outward direction towards the Luxembourg city conurbation ; Le grand-duché de Luxembourg doit son essor à l'exploitation du minerai de fer oolithique et à sa transformation dans les ...