Jump to content

Liechtenstein

Edit links
Coordinates: 47°9′N 9°33′E / 47.150°N 9.550°E / 47.150; 9.550
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Fürstentum Liechtenstein)
For other uses, see Lichtenstein (disambiguation).

Principality of Liechtenstein
Fürstentum Liechtenstein (German)
Motto: "Für Gott, Fürst und Vaterland"
"For God, Prince and Fatherland"
Anthem: 
Oben am jungen Rhein
(English: "High on the Young Rhine")
Location of Liechtenstein (green) in Europe (agate grey)  –  [Legend]
Location of Liechtenstein (green)

in Europe (agate grey)  –  [Legend]

Location of Liechtenstein
CapitalVaduz
Largest municipalitySchaan
47°10′00″N 9°30′35″E / 47.16667°N 9.50972°E / 47.16667; 9.50972
Official languagesGerman
Ethnic groups
(2017)[1]
Religion
(2020)[2]
Demonym(s)Liechtensteiner
GovernmentUnitary parliamentary semi-constitutional monarchy with elements of a direct democracy
• Monarch
Hans-Adam II
• Regent
Alois
Daniel Risch
LegislatureLandtag
Independence as principality
• Union between
Vaduz and
Schellenberg
23 January 1719
12 July 1806
• Separation from
German Confederation
23 August 1866
Area
• Total
160.50[3] km2 (61.97 sq mi) (190th)
• Water (%)
2.7[4]
Population
• 2023 estimate
Increase 40,015[5] (189th)
• Density
249/km2 (644.9/sq mi) (56th)
GDP (PPP)2014 estimate
• Total
$4.978 billion[6] (176th)
• Per capita
$98,432[7][8][9]
GDP (nominal)2022 estimate
• Total
Decrease $7.365 billion[10]
• Per capita
Decrease $187,267[11]
HDI (2022)Increase 0.942[12]
very high (12th)
CurrencySwiss franc (CHF)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)
UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Drives onright
Calling code+423
ISO 3166 codeLI
Internet TLD.li

Liechtenstein (/ˈlɪktənstaɪn/ LIK-tən-styne;[13] German: [ˈlɪçtn̩ʃtaɪn] ⓘ), officially the Principality of Liechtenstein (Fürstentum Liechtenstein, [ˈfʏʁstn̩tuːm ˈlɪçtn̩ˌʃtaɪ̯n] ⓘ),[14] is a doubly landlocked German-speaking microstate in the Central European Alps, between Austria in the east and north and Switzerland in the west and south.[15] Liechtenstein is a semi-constitutional monarchy headed by the prince of Liechtenstein of the House of Liechtenstein, currently led by Hans-Adam II. It is Europe's fourth-smallest country, with an area of just over 160 square kilometres (62 square miles) and a population of 40,023.[16] It is the world's smallest country to border two countries,[17] and is one of the few countries with no debt.[18]

Liechtenstein is divided into 11 municipalities. Its capital is Vaduz, and its largest municipality is Schaan. It is a member of the United Nations, the European Free Trade Association, and the Council of Europe. It is not a member state of the European Union, but it participates in both the Schengen Area and the European Economic Area. It has a customs union and a monetary union with Switzerland, with its usage of the Swiss franc. Politically, a constitutional referendum in 2003 granted the monarch greater powers, after he threatened to leave the country should the referendum fail. These powers include being able to dismiss the government, nominate judges and veto legislation.[19]

Economically, Liechtenstein has one of the highest gross domestic products per person in the world when adjusted for purchasing power parity.[20] The country has a strong financial sector centred in Vaduz. It was once known as a billionaire tax haven, culminating in a tax affair in 2008, but the principality has since made significant efforts to shed this reputation. An Alpine country, Liechtenstein is mountainous, making it a winter sport destination.

History

[edit]
Main article: History of Liechtenstein

Early history

[edit]
Gutenberg Castle, Balzers, Liechtenstein
Vaduz Castle, overlooking the capital, is home to the Prince of Liechtenstein.
Johann I Joseph, Prince of Liechtenstein from 1805 to 1806 and 1814 to 1836, by Johann Baptist von Lampi the Elder. Liechtenstein Museum, Vienna

The oldest traces of human existence in the area of present-day Liechtenstein date back to the Middle Paleolithic era.[21] Neolithic farming settlements appeared in the valleys around 5300 BCE.

The Hallstatt and La Tène cultures flourished during the late Iron Age, from around 450 BCE—possibly under some influence of both the Greek and Etruscan civilisations. One of the most important tribal groups in the Alpine region were the Helvetii. In 58 BCE, at the Battle of Bibracte, Julius Caesar defeated the Alpine tribes, thereby bringing the region under Roman subjugation. By 15 BCE, Tiberius—later the second Roman emperor—with his brother, Drusus, conquered the entire Alpine area.[22]

Liechtenstein then became integrated into the Roman province of Raetia. The area was garrisoned by the Roman army, which maintained large legionary camps at Brigantium (Bregenz, Austria), near Lake Constance, and at Magia (Maienfeld, Switzerland). The Romans built and maintained a road which ran through the territory. Around 260 CE Brigantium was destroyed by the Alemanni, a Germanic people who later settled in the area around 450.[22]

In the Early Middle Ages, the Alemanni settled the eastern Swiss plateau by the 5th century and the valleys of the Alps by the end of the 8th century, with Liechtenstein located at the eastern edge of Alamannia. In the 6th century the entire region became part of the Frankish Empire following Clovis I's victory over the Alemanni at Tolbiac in 504.[23][24]

The area that later became Liechtenstein remained under Frankish hegemony (Merovingian and Carolingian dynasties) until the Treaty of Verdun divided the Carolingian empire in 843, following the death of Charlemagne in 814.[21] The territory of present-day Liechtenstein formed part of East Francia. It would later be reunified with Middle Francia under the Holy Roman Empire, around 1000.[21] Until about 1100, the predominant language of the area was Romansch, but thereafter German began to gain ground in the territory. In 1300, another Alemannic population—the Walsers, who originated in Valais—entered the region and settled; the mountain village of Triesenberg today preserves features of the Walser dialect.[25]

Foundation of a dynasty

[edit]

By 1200, dominions across the Alpine plateau were controlled by the Houses of Savoy, Zähringer, Habsburg, and Kyburg. Other regions were accorded the Imperial immediacy that granted the empire direct control over the mountain passes. When the Kyburg dynasty fell in 1264, the Habsburgs under King Rudolph I, the Holy Roman Emperor in 1273, extended their territory to the eastern Alpine plateau that included the territory of Liechtenstein.[23] This region was enfeoffed to the Counts of Hohenems until the sale to the Liechtenstein dynasty in 1699.

In 1396, Vaduz, the southern region of Liechtenstein, gained imperial immediacy, i.e. it became subject to the Holy Roman Emperor alone.[26]

The family from which the principality takes its name originally came from Liechtenstein Castle in Lower Austria, which they had possessed since at least 1140 until the 13th century, and again from 1807 onwards. The Liechtensteins acquired land, predominantly in Moravia, Lower Austria, Silesia, and Styria. As these territories were all held in feudal tenure from more senior feudal lords, particularly various branches of the Habsburgs, the Liechtenstein dynasty was unable to meet a primary requirement to qualify for a seat in the Imperial Diet (parliament), the Reichstag. Even though several Liechtenstein princes served several Habsburg rulers as close advisers, without any territory held directly from the Imperial throne, they held little power in the Holy Roman Empire.

For this reason, the family sought to acquire lands that would be classed as unmittelbar, or held without any intermediate feudal tenure, directly from the Holy Roman Emperor. During the early 17th century, Karl I of Liechtenstein was made a Fürst (prince) by the Holy Roman Emperor Matthias after siding with him in a political battle. Hans-Adam I was allowed to purchase the minuscule Herrschaft ('Lordship') of Schellenberg and the county of Vaduz (in 1699 and 1712, respectively) from the Hohenems. Tiny Schellenberg and Vaduz had exactly the political status required: no feudal superior (suzerain) other than the emperor.

Principality

[edit]
Ducal hat of Liechtenstein

On 23 January 1719,[27] after the lands had been purchased, Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor, decreed that Vaduz and Schellenberg were united and elevated the newly formed territory to the dignity of Reichsfürstentum (imperial principality) with the name "Liechtenstein" in honour of "[his] true servant, Anton Florian of Liechtenstein". On this date, Liechtenstein became a mostly-sovereign immediate member state of the Holy Roman Empire.[27]

By the early 19th century, as a result of the Napoleonic Wars in Europe, the Holy Roman Empire came under the effective control of France, following the crushing defeat at Austerlitz by Napoleon in 1805. In 1806, Emperor Francis II abdicated and dissolved the Holy Roman Empire, ending more than 960 years of feudal government. Napoleon reorganized much of the Empire into the Confederation of the Rhine. This political restructuring had broad consequences for Liechtenstein: the historical imperial, legal, and political institutions had been dissolved. The state ceased to owe an obligation to any feudal lord beyond its borders.[27]

Modern publications generally attribute Liechtenstein's sovereignty to these events. Its prince ceased to owe an obligation to any suzerain. From 25 July 1806, when the Confederation of the Rhine was founded, the Prince of Liechtenstein was a member, in fact a vassal, of its hegemon, styled protector, the French Emperor Napoleon I, until the dissolution of the confederation on 19 October 1813.

Soon afterward, Liechtenstein joined the German Confederation (20 June 1815 – 23 August 1866), which was presided over by the Emperor of Austria.

In 1818, Prince Johann I granted the territory a limited constitution. In that same year Prince Aloys became the first member of the House of Liechtenstein to set foot in the principality that bore their name. The next visit would not occur until 1842.

Developments during the 19th century included:

  • 1842: the first factory for making ceramics was opened.
  • 1861: the Savings and Loans Bank was founded along with the first cotton-weaving mill.
  • 1866: the German Confederation was dissolved.
  • 1868: the Liechtenstein Army was disbanded for financial reasons.
  • 1872: a railway line between Switzerland and the Austro-Hungarian Empire was constructed through Liechtenstein.
  • 1886: two bridges over the Rhine to Switzerland were built.

20th century

[edit]

Until the end of World War I, Liechtenstein was closely tied first to the Austrian Empire and later to Austria-Hungary; the ruling princes continued to derive much of their wealth from estates in the Habsburg territories, and spent much of their time at their two palaces in Vienna. Johann II appointed Carl von In der Maur, an Austrian aristocrat, to serve as the Governor of Liechtenstein. The economic devastation caused by World War I forced the country to conclude a customs and monetary union with its other neighbour Switzerland.[28] In addition, popular unrest caused from economic devastation in the war directly led to the November 1918 Liechtenstein putsch, which created the process of a new constitution based on constitutional monarchy being introduced in 1921.[29][30]

In 1929, 75-year-old Prince Franz I succeeded to the throne. He had just married Elisabeth von Gutmann, a wealthy woman from Vienna whose father was a Jewish businessman from Moravia. Although Liechtenstein had no official Nazi party, a Nazi sympathy movement arose within its National Union party. Local Liechtenstein Nazis identified Elisabeth as their Jewish "problem".[31][32] Pro-Nazi agitation remained in Liechtenstein throughout the 1930s, with an attempted coup in March 1939 while Franz Joseph II was on a state visit to Berlin.[33][34]

In March 1938, just after the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany, Franz named as regent his 31-year-old grandnephew and heir-presumptive, Prince Franz Joseph. After making his grandnephew regent he moved to Feldberg, Czechoslovakia and on 25 July, he died while at one of his family's castles, Castle Feldberg, and Franz Joseph formally succeeded him as the Prince of Liechtenstein.[35][36][37]

Franz I, Prince of Liechtenstein from 1929 to 1938
Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein from 1938 to 1989

During World War II, Liechtenstein remained officially neutral, looking to neighbouring Switzerland for assistance and guidance, while family treasures from dynastic lands and possessions in Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia were taken to Liechtenstein for safekeeping. Operation Tannenbaum, the Nazi plan for conquest of Switzerland, also included Liechtenstein, and the Nazi "Pan German" dream of uniting all German-speakers in the Reich would have also included the population of Liechtenstein. However, the Nazis eventually gave up implementing this plan, and Liechtenstein was spared from enduring a Nazi occupation.

At the close of the conflict, Czechoslovakia and Poland, acting to seize what they considered German possessions, expropriated all of the Liechtenstein dynasty's properties in those three regions.[38] The expropriations (subject to modern legal dispute at the International Court of Justice) included over 1,600 km2 (618 sq mi) of agricultural and forest land (most notably the UNESCO listed Lednice–Valtice Cultural Landscape), and several family castles and palaces.

In 2005, a government-commissioned investigation revealed that Jewish slave labourers from the Strasshof concentration camp, provided by the SS, had worked on estates in Austria owned by Liechtenstein's Princely House.[39] The report indicated that though no evidence was found of the House's knowledge of the slave labour, the House bore responsibility.[40]

Citizens of Liechtenstein were forbidden to enter Czechoslovakia during the Cold War. The diplomatic conflict revolving around the controversial postwar Beneš decrees resulted in Liechtenstein not having international relations with the Czech Republic or Slovakia. Diplomatic relations were established between Liechtenstein and the Czech Republic on 13 July 2009,[41][42][43] and with Slovakia on 9 December 2009.[44]

On 20 September 1990, Liechtenstein was admitted into the United Nations as 160th member state. As a member of the United Nations General Assembly, the microstate is one of the few not to play a prominent role in UN-specialized agencies.

Financial centre

[edit]

Liechtenstein was in dire financial straits following the end of World War II. The Liechtenstein dynasty often resorted to selling family artistic treasures, including the portrait Ginevra de' Benci by Leonardo da Vinci, which was purchased by the National Gallery of Art of the United States in 1967 for US$5 million ($46 million in 2023 dollars),[45] then a record price for a painting.[46]

By the late 1970s, Liechtenstein used its low corporate tax rates to draw many companies and became one of the wealthiest countries in the world.

Liechtenstein is one of the few countries in Europe (along with Monaco and San Marino) not to have a tax treaty with the United States, and efforts towards one seem to have stalled.[47][48]

As of September 2019 the Prince of Liechtenstein is the world's sixth wealthiest monarch, with an estimated wealth of US$3.5 billion.[49] The country's population enjoys one of the world's highest standards of living.

Government

[edit]
Main article: Politics of Liechtenstein
Administrative divisions of Liechtenstein, showing numerous exclaves
The centre of government in Vaduz
Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein, as pictured by Erling Mandelmann in 1974

Politics

[edit]

Liechtenstein has a somewhat enigmatic political system, which combines elements of absolute monarchy, representative democracy, and direct democracy. The monarch retains extensive executive and legislative powers, and plays a strong active role in the day to day politics of the country, and over all three branches of government—the only European monarch to have retained such a role. Representative democracy and direct democracy coexist in that an elected parliament enacts legislation, and voters can propose and enact laws and constitutional amendments independently of the legislature.[50] However, as with laws passed by the legislature, these can be vetoed by the monarch.

The reigning Prince is the head of state and represents Liechtenstein in its international relations (although Switzerland has taken responsibility for much of Liechtenstein's diplomatic relations).[51]

The current Constitution of Liechtenstein was adopted in March 2003, amending the 1921 constitution, giving the prince extensive veto powers, and the ability to dismiss the government and rule by emergency decree, and maintaining the prince's active role in the legislative process. The BBC characterizes Liechtenstein post-2003 as "in effect" an "absolute monarchy".[52] Just prior to the referendum, the Venice commission of the Council of Europe published a comprehensive report analysing the amendments, opining that they were not compatible with the European standard of democracy.[53]

Legislative authority is vested in the unicameral Landtag, made up of 25 members elected for maximum four-year terms according to a proportional representation formula. Fifteen members are elected from the Oberland (Upper Country or region) and ten from the Unterland (Lower Country or region).[54] Parties must receive at least 8% of the national vote to win seats in parliament, i.e., enough for two seats in the 25-seat legislature. Parliament proposes and approves a government, which the Prince formally appoints. Parliament may also pass votes of no confidence in the entire government or individual members.

The government comprises the head of government (prime minister) and four government councillors (ministers), who are appointed by the Prince upon the proposal of parliament and with its concurrence, and reflect the balance of parties in parliament. The constitution stipulates that at least two government members be chosen from each of the two regions.[55] The members of the government are collectively and individually responsible to parliament; parliament may ask the Prince to remove an individual minister or the entire government, or the Prince may do so unilaterally.

Parliament elects from among its members a "Landesausschuss" (National Committee) made up of the president of the parliament and four additional members. The National Committee is charged with performing functions of parliamentary supervision. Parliament shares the authority to propose new legislation with the Prince, and with the citizenry, as both parliament and the citizenry may initiate referendums.[56]

Judicial authority is vested in the Regional Court at Vaduz, the Princely High Court of Appeal at Vaduz, the Princely Supreme Court, the Administrative Court, and the State Court. The State Court rules on the conformity of laws with the constitution and has five members elected by parliament.[citation needed]

Human rights

[edit]
See also: Human rights in Liechtenstein and LGBT rights in Liechtenstein

The principality is largely conservative. On 1 July 1984, Liechtenstein became the last country in Europe to grant women the right to vote, following three previous referendums which rejected it in 1968, 1971 and 1973. The referendum on women's suffrage that year, in which only men were allowed to participate, narrowly passed with 51.3% in favour.[57]

In 2024, Liechtenstein passed same-sex marriage legislation, which would be legalised in 2025.[58][59][60] Abortion remains criminalised within Liechtenstein.

Foreign relations

[edit]
Main article: Foreign relations of Liechtenstein
Maltese consulate in Schaan
Liechtenstein's Embassy in Vienna, Austria
Building hosting Liechtenstein's Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Representatives of the Principality of Liechtenstein and the United States of America make an agreement to share knowledge in the Field of Apprenticeship Training, 2024.

In the absence of political or military power, Liechtenstein has sought to preserve its sovereignty over the past 300 years through membership in legal communities. International cooperation and European integration are therefore constants of Liechtenstein's foreign policy, aimed at continuing to safeguard the country's sovereignty as recognized under international law. Decisive for the domestic legitimacy and sustainability of this foreign policy were and are strong direct-democratic and citizen-oriented decision-making mechanisms, which are anchored in Liechtenstein in the Constitution of 1921.

Important historical stages in Liechtenstein's integration and cooperation policy were its accession to the Confederation of the Rhine in 1806,[61] to the German Confederation in 1815,[62] the conclusion of bilateral customs and currency agreements with the Habsburg monarchy in 1852, and finally the Customs Treaty with Switzerland in 1923, which was followed by a range of other important bilateral treaties.

Post-war economic reconstruction was followed by accession to the Statute of the International Court of Justice in 1950, Liechtenstein signed the CSCE Helsinki Final Act (today's OSCE) together with 34 other states in 1975, Liechtenstein joined the Council of Europe in 1978,[63] and Liechtenstein was admitted to the United Nations (UN) on September 18, 1990.[64] In 1991, Liechtenstein joined the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) as a full member, and since 1995 Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).[65]

In 2008, Liechtenstein joined the Schengen/Dublin Agreement together with Switzerland. From an economic and integration policy perspective, relations within the framework of the EEA and the EU occupy a special position in Liechtenstein's foreign policy. The Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein also participates in the annual meetings of the heads of state of the German-speaking countries (consisting of EU and non-EU members).[66]

Relations with Switzerland are particularly extensive because of the close cooperation in many areas; Switzerland performs tasks in some places that would be difficult for the Principality to handle on its own because of its small size. Since 2000, Switzerland has appointed an ambassador to Liechtenstein, but he resides in Bern. Liechtenstein's consular representation has been mostly handled by Switzerland since the Customs Treaty with Switzerland of 1923.

Liechtenstein maintains direct diplomatic missions in Vienna, Bern, Berlin, Brussels, Strasbourg, and Washington, D.C., as well as Permanent Missions in New York and Geneva to the United Nations.[67] Currently, diplomatic missions from 78 countries are accredited to Liechtenstein, but mostly reside in Bern. The Embassy in Brussels coordinates contacts with the European Union, Belgium, and also the Holy See.

For a long time, diplomatic relations with Germany were maintained through a non-resident ambassador; that is, a contact person who was not permanently resident in Germany. Since 2002, however, Liechtenstein has had a permanent ambassador in Berlin, while the German embassy in Switzerland is also responsible for the Principality. Liechtenstein's Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers the contacts to be extremely fruitful and important for the country's development, especially on the economic level.

Conflicts over the handling of banking and tax data have repeatedly strained relations with Germany.[68] On 2 September 2009, Liechtenstein and Germany signed an agreement on cooperation and the exchange of information in tax matters. The text of the agreement followed the OECD model agreement and provides for an exchange of information on tax matters upon request as of the 2010 tax year. In addition, Liechtenstein regards Germany as an important partner in safeguarding its interests in European integration. At the cultural level, project sponsorship plays a particularly important role. For example, the Hilti Foundation financed the exhibition "Egypt's Sunken Treasures" in Berlin, and the state donated 20,000 euros following the fire at the Duchess Anna Amalia Library in Weimar.

Liechtenstein is a member of the Forum of Small States, a group founded in 1992 by Singapore, currently about 108 nations that have less than about ten million inhabitants at the time of joining.[69]

Liechtenstein is a member of the International Monetary Fund since the annual meeting of World Bank Group in Washington, D.C. on 21 October 2024.[70][71]

Geography

[edit]
Topgraphic map of Liechtenstein
Main article: Geography of Liechtenstein
The Rhine: border between Liechtenstein and Switzerland (view towards the Swiss Alps)

Liechtenstein is situated in the Upper Rhine valley of the European Alps and is bordered to the east by the Austrian state of Vorarlberg, to the south by the canton of Grisons (Switzerland) and to the west by the canton of St. Gallen (Switzerland). The Rhine forms the entire western border of Liechtenstein. Measured south to north the country is about 24 km (15 mi) long. In 1943, an inland canal was built in the country connecting to the Rhine.[72]

Its highest point, Grauspitz, is 2,599 m (8,527 ft). Despite its Alpine location, prevailing southerly winds make the climate comparatively mild. In winter, the mountain slopes are well suited to winter sports. New surveys using more accurate measurements of the country's borders in 2006 have set its area at 160 km2 (62 sq mi), with borders of 77.9 km (48.4 mi).[73] Liechtenstein's borders are 1.9 km (1.2 mi) longer than previously thought.[74]

Liechtenstein is one of the world's two doubly landlocked countries[75] – countries wholly surrounded by other landlocked countries (the other is Uzbekistan). Liechtenstein is the sixth-smallest sovereign state in the world by area.

The principality of Liechtenstein is divided into 11 communes called Gemeinden (singular Gemeinde). The Gemeinden mostly consist of only a single town or village. Five of them (Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Ruggell, and Schellenberg) fall within the electoral district Unterland (the lower county), and the remainder (Balzers, Planken, Schaan, Triesen, Triesenberg, and Vaduz) within Oberland (the upper county).

The World Bank did not include Liechtenstein on its list of 50 "small states" by its inclusion criteria.[76]

Climate

[edit]
Panorama of Vaduz, capital of Liechtenstein

Despite its alpine location, the prevailing southerly winds temper Liechtenstein's climate. Its climate is continental, with cloudy and cold winters, with frequent rain and snowfall. Summers are cool to slightly warm, cloudy, and humid.

The country's climate is relatively mild despite its mountainous location. It is strongly influenced by the action of foehn (warm and dry autumn wind), so the vegetation period is prolonged in spring and autumn and temperatures around 15 °C (59 °F) due to the strong foehn are not uncommon even in winter. The mountain ranges of Switzerland and the Vorarlberg upstream protect from the cold polar and Atlantic air, creating a typical alpine inland protective layer. The principality has orchards with leafy meadows and a long tradition of viticulture. Liechtenstein's small land area hardly plays a role in climatic differences, but the vertical division into different altitudes is of great importance, so that significant climatic differences arise.

In winter the temperature rarely drops below −15 °C (5 °F), while in summer the average temperatures range between 20 and 28 °C (68 and 82 °F). Annual precipitation measurements amount to an average of about 900 to 1,200 millimetres (35 to 47 in), in the direct alpine region, however, precipitation is often up to 1,900 mm (75 in). The average duration of sunshine is about 1600 hours per year.

Climate data for Vaduz (1991–2020)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 5.0
(41.0) 		6.8
(44.2) 		11.8
(53.2) 		16.0
(60.8) 		20.1
(68.2) 		23.2
(73.8) 		24.9
(76.8) 		24.3
(75.7) 		20.0
(68.0) 		15.7
(60.3) 		9.5
(49.1) 		5.5
(41.9) 		15.2
(59.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) 1.4
(34.5) 		2.7
(36.9) 		6.8
(44.2) 		10.7
(51.3) 		14.7
(58.5) 		17.9
(64.2) 		19.4
(66.9) 		19.1
(66.4) 		15.0
(59.0) 		11.1
(52.0) 		5.7
(42.3) 		2.2
(36.0) 		10.6
(51.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −2.0
(28.4) 		−1.1
(30.0) 		2.3
(36.1) 		5.6
(42.1) 		9.7
(49.5) 		13.0
(55.4) 		14.6
(58.3) 		14.6
(58.3) 		10.8
(51.4) 		6.9
(44.4) 		2.2
(36.0) 		−1.1
(30.0) 		6.3
(43.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 41
(1.6) 		34
(1.3) 		54
(2.1) 		57
(2.2) 		90
(3.5) 		116
(4.6) 		130
(5.1) 		144
(5.7) 		96
(3.8) 		68
(2.7) 		56
(2.2) 		54
(2.1) 		940
(37.0)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 14.2
(5.6) 		14.4
(5.7) 		6.4
(2.5) 		0.4
(0.2) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		4.7
(1.9) 		11.9
(4.7) 		52.0
(20.5)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 7.4 6.6 9.0 8.9 11.8 12.9 13.2 13.3 10.1 8.7 8.7 8.7 119.3
Average snowy days (≥ 1.0 cm) 3.9 3.9 2.1 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.4 3.3 14.8
Average relative humidity (%) 75 69 66 63 67 70 71 74 76 76 77 77 72
Mean monthly sunshine hours 72 92 131 156 168 181 197 183 147 114 67 53 1,563
Percent possible sunshine 40 44 47 49 46 48 52 54 52 48 36 34 47
Source: MeteoSwiss (snow 1981–2010)[77][78]

Rivers and lakes

[edit]

The Rhine is the longest and largest body of water in Liechtenstein. With a length of approximately 27 kilometres (17 mi), it represents the natural border with Switzerland and is of great importance for Liechtenstein's water supply. Furthermore, the Rhine is an important recreational area for the population. At 10 kilometres (6 mi), the Samina is the second longest river in the Principality. The troubled river begins at Triesenberg and flows into the Ill in Austria (near Feldkirch).

The only naturally formed lake in Liechtenstein is the Gampriner Seelein, which was not formed until 1927 by a flooding of the Rhine with enormous erosion. In addition, there are other artificially created lakes, which are mainly used to generate electricity. One of them is the Steg Reservoir, the largest lake in Liechtenstein.

Mountains

[edit]

About half of Liechtenstein's territory is mountainous.[79] Liechtenstein lies entirely in the Rhaetikon and is thus – depending on the classification of the Alps – assigned either to the Eastern Alps (two-part division of the Alps) or to the Central Alps (three-part division of the Alps).

The highest point of Liechtenstein is the Vordere Grauspitz (Vordergrauspitz) with an altitude of 2,599 m (8,527 ft) above sea level, while the lowest point is the Ruggeller Riet with an altitude of 430 metres (1,410 ft) above sea level.

In total, there are 32 mountains in Liechtenstein with an altitude of at least 2,000 metres (6,600 ft). The Falknishorn, at 2,452 metres (8,045 ft) above sea level, is the fifth highest mountain in Liechtenstein and represents the southernmost point of the country. The Liechtenstein-Graubünden-Vorarlberg border triangle is the Naafkopf (2,570 m (8,430 ft) above sea level).[79]

In addition to the peaks of the Alpine chain,[80] which belong to the Limestone Alps, two inselbergs, Fläscherberg (1,135 m or 3,724 ft above sea level) in the south and Eschnerberg (698 m or 2,290 ft) in the north, rise from the Rhine Valley and belong to the Helvetic cover or flysch zone of the Alps.[81] Eschnerberg represents an important settlement area in the Liechtenstein Unterland.

Economy

[edit]
Main article: Economy of Liechtenstein
Looking southward at Vaduz city centre
Silver coin: 5 kronen of Liechtenstein, 1904, the front of the coin is a portrait of Johann II

Despite its limited natural resources, Liechtenstein is one of the few countries in the world with more registered companies than citizens; it has developed a prosperous, highly industrialized free-enterprise economy and a financial service sector as well as a living standard that compares favourably with those of the urban areas of Liechtenstein's much larger European neighbours.

Liechtenstein participates in a customs union with Switzerland and employs the Swiss franc as the national currency. The country imports about 85% of its energy. Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the European Union) since May 1995.

The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated Europe. In 2008, the unemployment rate was 1.5%. Liechtenstein has only one hospital, the Liechtensteinisches Landesspital in Vaduz. As of 2014 the CIA World Factbook estimated the gross domestic product (GDP) on a purchasing power parity basis to be $4.978 billion. As of 2021 the estimate per capita was $184,083.[75]

Industries include electronics, textiles, precision instruments, metal manufacturing, power tools, anchor bolts, calculators, pharmaceuticals and food products. Its most recognizable international company and largest employer is Hilti, a manufacturer of direct fastening systems and other high-end power tools. Many cultivated fields and small farms are found both in the Oberland and Unterland. Liechtenstein produces wheat, barley, corn, potatoes, dairy products, livestock and wine.

Taxation

[edit]
Since 1923, there has been no border control between Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

The government of Liechtenstein taxes personal income, business income and principal (wealth). The basic rate of personal income tax is 1.2%. When combined with the additional income tax imposed by the communes, the combined income tax rate is 17.82%.[82] An additional income tax of 4.3% is levied on all employees under the country's social security programme. This rate is higher for the self-employed, up to a maximum of 11%, making the maximum income tax rate about 29% in total. The basic tax rate on wealth is 0.06% per annum, and the combined total rate is 0.89%. The tax rate on corporate profits is 12.5%.[75]

Liechtenstein's gift and estate taxes vary depending on the relationship the recipient has to the giver and the amount of the inheritance. The tax ranges between 0.5% and 0.75% for spouses and children and 18% to 27% for non-related recipients. The estate tax is progressive.

Liechtenstein has previously received significant revenues from Stiftungen ("foundations"), financial entities created to hide the true owner of nonresident foreigners' financial holdings. The foundation is registered in the name of a Liechtensteiner, often a lawyer. This set of laws used to make Liechtenstein a popular tax haven for extremely wealthy individuals and businesses attempting to avoid or evade taxes in their home countries.[83]

In recent years, Liechtenstein has displayed stronger determination to prosecute international money launderers and worked to promote an image as a legitimate finance centre. In February 2008, the country's LGT Bank was implicated in a tax-fraud scandal in Germany, which strained the ruling family's relationship with the German government. Crown Prince Alois has accused the German government of trafficking in stolen goods, referring to its $7.3 million purchase of private banking information offered by a former employee of LGT Group.[84][85] The United States Senate's subcommittee on tax haven banks said that the LGT bank, owned by the princely family, and on whose board they serve, "is a willing partner, and an aider and abettor to clients trying to evade taxes, dodge creditors or defy court orders".[86]

Headquarters of Hilti Corporation in Schaan, Liechtenstein

The 2008 Liechtenstein tax affair is a series of tax investigations in numerous countries whose governments suspect that some of their citizens have evaded tax obligations by using banks and trusts in Liechtenstein; the affair broke open with the biggest complex of investigations ever initiated for tax evasion in Germany.[87] It was also seen as an attempt to put pressure on Liechtenstein, then one of the remaining uncooperative tax havens—along with Andorra and Monaco—as identified by the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in 2007.[88] On 27 May 2009 the OECD removed Liechtenstein from the blacklist of uncooperative countries.[89]

In August 2009, the British government department HM Revenue & Customs agreed with Liechtenstein to start exchanging information. It is believed that up to 5,000 British investors have roughly £3 billion deposited in accounts and trusts in the country.[90]

In October 2015, the European Union and Liechtenstein signed a tax agreement to ensure the automatic exchange of financial information in case of tax disputes. The collection of data started in 2016. It is another step to bring the principality in line with other European countries regarding its taxation of private individuals and corporate assets.[91]

Tourism

[edit]

Tourism accounts for a large portion of Liechtenstein's economy.[citation needed] In 2021, there was nearly 80 000 tourists and between 2009 and the year the number of tourists ranged between about 60 to 100 thousand people per year.[92]

Demographics

[edit]
Main article: Demographics of Liechtenstein
Vaduz, Liechtenstein

With a population of 39,315 as of 31 December 2021,[93] Liechtenstein is Europe's fourth-smallest country after Vatican City, San Marino and Monaco. Its population is primarily Alemannic-speaking, although one third is foreign-born, primarily German speakers from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, along with other Swiss, Italians, and Turks. Foreign-born people make up two-thirds of the country's workforce.[94]

Liechtensteiners have an average life expectancy at birth of 82.0 years, subdividing as male: 79.8 years, female: 84.8 years (2018 est.). The infant mortality rate is 4.2 per 1,000 live births, according to 2018 estimates.

Languages

[edit]

The official language is German, spoken by 92% of the population as their main language in 2020. 73% of Liechtenstein's population speak an Alemannic dialect of German at home that is highly divergent from Standard German but closely related to dialects spoken in neighbouring regions such as Switzerland and Vorarlberg, Austria.[95] In Triesenberg, a Walser German dialect promoted by the municipality is spoken. Swiss Standard German is also understood and spoken by most Liechtensteiners.

Religion

[edit]
Main article: Religion in Liechtenstein
St. Florin Catholic Cathedral in Vaduz

According to the Constitution of Liechtenstein, Catholicism is its official state religion:

The Catholic Church is the State Church and as such shall enjoy the full protection of the State

— Constitution of Liechtenstein[96]

Liechtenstein offers protection to adherents of all religions, and considers the "religious interests of the people" a priority of the government.[96] In Liechtenstein's schools, although exceptions are allowed, religious education in Catholicism or Protestantism (either Lutheran or Calvinist, or both) is legally required.[97] Tax exemption is granted by the government to religious organizations.[97] According to the Pew Research Center, social conflict caused by religious hostilities is low in Liechtenstein, and so is government restriction on the practice of religion.[98]

According to the 2010 census, 85.8% of the total population were Christian, of whom 75.9% adhered to the Catholic faith, constituted in the Catholic Archdiocese of Vaduz, while 9.6% were either Protestant, mainly organized in the Evangelical Church in Liechtenstein (a United church, Lutheran & Reformed) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Liechtenstein, or Orthodox, mainly organized in the Christian-Orthodox Church.[99] The largest minority religion is Islam (5.4% of the total population).[100]

Education

[edit]
Main article: Education in Liechtenstein
University of Liechtenstein

The literacy rate of Liechtenstein is 100%.[75] In 2006 Programme for International Student Assessment report, coordinated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, ranked Liechtenstein's education as the 10th-best in the world.[101] In 2012, Liechtenstein had the highest PISA scores of any European country.[102]

Within Liechtenstein, there are four main centres for higher education:

There are nine public high schools in the country. These include:

Transport

[edit]
Balzers Heliport

Road

[edit]

There are about 250 kilometres (155 mi) of paved roadway within Liechtenstein, with 90 km (56 mi) of marked bicycle paths.

Liechtenstein Bus is a subsidiary of the Swiss Postbus system, but separately run, and connects to the Swiss bus and train network at Buchs and Sargans, respectively.[104] Holders of a Swiss Travel Pass (non-residents of Switzerland or Liechtenstein only) can travel for free on Liechtenstein's buses.[105]

Rail

[edit]
Main article: Rail transport in Liechtenstein

The single railway line in Liechtenstein is the Feldkirch–Buchs railway, of which 9.5 km (6 mi) are located within the principality. This line connects Feldkirch in Vorarlberg (Austria) with Buchs in the canton of St. Gallen (Switzerland). There are four railway stations in Liechtenstein, namely Schaan-Vaduz, Forst Hilti, Nendeln and Schaanwald (from west to east). With the exception of Schaanwald, which was closed in 2013, these stations are served by a regional train, the S2 of Vorarlberg S-Bahn, which runs between Feldkirch and Buchs SG on working days only. The service is operated by Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB).[106] Plans to upgrade the line and increase rail traffic were halted by a referendum in 2020.[107]

Liechtenstein is nominally within the Ostwind transit district, which also includes northeastern Switzerland.[108] Railjet and EuroCity long-distance trains do not call at stations in Liechtenstein.

Air

[edit]

Liechtenstein is one of only a few countries without an airport. The nearest large airport is Zurich Airport near Zürich, Switzerland (130 km or 80 miles by road). The nearest small airport is St. Gallen Airport (50 km or 30 miles). Friedrichshafen Airport also provides access to Liechtenstein, as it is 85 km (53 miles) away. Balzers Heliport is available for chartered helicopter flights.[109][110]

Culture

[edit]
See also: Music of Liechtenstein
Part of a series on the
Culture of Liechtenstein
History
People
Languages
Mythology
Cuisine
Festivals
Religion
Music
Media
Sport
Symbols
Kunstmuseum, Liechtenstein Art Museum
Liechtenstein National Museum

As a result of its small size, Liechtenstein has been strongly affected by external cultural influences, most notably those originating in the southern regions of German-speaking Europe, including Austria, Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Switzerland, and specifically Tirol and Vorarlberg.[citation needed]

The largest museum is the Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, an international museum of modern and contemporary art with an international art collection. The building by the Swiss architects Morger, Degelo, and Kerez is a landmark in Vaduz. It was completed in November 2000 and forms a "black box" of tinted concrete and black basalt stone. The museum collection is also the national art collection of Liechtenstein.[111]

The Historical Society of the Principality of Liechtenstein and the Liechtenstein National Museum (Liechtensteinisches Landesmuseum) also play a role in preserving the culture and history of the country.[112][113] The National Museum shows permanent exhibitions on the cultural and natural history of Liechtenstein as well as special exhibitions. There is also a stamp museum, ski museum, and a 500-year-old Rural Lifestyle Museum.[114]

The Liechtenstein State Library is the library that has legal deposit for all books published in the country.[115] Poet Ida Ospelt-Amann published her works exclusively in the Alemannic dialect of Vaduz.[116][117]

The famous historical sites include Vaduz Castle, Gutenberg Castle, and Vaduz Cathedral.[114]

The Private Art Collection of the Prince of Liechtenstein, one of the world's leading private art collections, is shown at the Liechtenstein Museum in Vienna.[118]

On the country's national holiday, all subjects are invited to the castle of the head of state. A significant portion of the population attends the national celebration at the castle where speeches are made and complimentary beer is served.[119]

Music and theatre are important parts of the culture. There are numerous music organizations such as the Liechtenstein Musical Company, the annual Guitar Days, and the International Josef Gabriel Rheinberger Society, which play in two main theatres.[citation needed]

Media

[edit]

The primary internet service provider and mobile network operator of Liechtenstein is Telecom Liechtenstein, located in Schaan.[citation needed]

There are two conventional television channels in the country. The private channel 1FLTV was created in 2008 with a goal of joining the European Broadcasting Union, which it did not accomplish and has since abandoned. The Landeskanal (de) ("National Channel") is operated by the government's Unit for Information and Communication and carries government proceedings, public affairs programming, and cultural events. Both are seen on local cable providers, along with all major channels from the other German-speaking countries. Since Switzerland shut off its digital terrestrial television network in 2019, the only free television signals available are German and Austrian channels from the Sender Pfänder (de) in Bregenz.

Radio Liechtenstein (de), which was established in 2004 along with the public-service broadcaster Liechtensteinischer Rundfunk (LRF) that operates it, is the country's only domestic radio station based in Triesen. Radio Liechtenstein and several programs of SRF are broadcast from the Sender Erbi (de) overlooking Vaduz. Liechtenstein also has one major newspaper: Liechtensteiner Vaterland.

Amateur radio is a hobby of some nationals and visitors. However, unlike virtually every other sovereign nation, Liechtenstein does not have its own ITU prefix. Conventionally, amateurs are issued call signs with the Swiss prefix "HB", followed by "0" or "L".

Sports

[edit]
Marco Büchel, the first Liechtensteiner alpine skier to compete at six Winter Olympics

Liechtenstein football teams play in the Swiss football leagues. The Liechtenstein Football Cup allows access for one Liechtenstein team each year to the UEFA Europa Conference League; FC Vaduz, a team playing in the Swiss Challenge League, the second division in Swiss football, is the most successful team in the Cup, and scored their greatest success in the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1996 when they drew with and defeated the Latvian team FC Universitate Riga by 1–1 and 4–2, to go on to a lucrative fixture against Paris Saint-Germain F.C., which they lost 0–3 and 0–4.

The Liechtenstein national football team is regarded[according to whom?] as an easy target[clarification needed] for any team drawn against them; this was the basis for a book about Liechtenstein's unsuccessful qualifying campaign for the 2002 World Cup by British author Charlie Connelly. In one surprising[why?] week during autumn 2004, however, the team managed a 2–2 draw with Portugal, who only a few months earlier had been the losing finalists in the European Championships. Four days later, the Liechtenstein team traveled to Luxembourg, where they defeated the home team 4–0 in a 2006 World Cup qualifying match.

In the qualification stage of the European Championship 2008, Liechtenstein beat Latvia 1–0, which prompted the Latvian coach's resignation. They went on to beat Iceland 3–0 on 17 October 2007, which is considered one of the most dramatic losses of the Icelandic national football team. On 7 September 2010, they came within seconds of a 1–1 draw against Scotland in Glasgow, having led 1–0 earlier in the second half, but Liechtenstein lost 2–1 thanks to a goal by Stephen McManus in the 97th minute. On 3 June 2011, Liechtenstein defeated Lithuania 2–0. On 15 November 2014, Liechtenstein defeated Moldova 0–1 with Franz Burgmeier's late free kick goal in Chișinău.

As an alpine country, the main sporting opportunity for Liechtensteiners to excel is in winter sports such as downhill skiing: the country's single ski area is Malbun. Hanni Wenzel won two gold medals and one silver medal in the 1980 Winter Olympics (she won bronze in 1976), her brother Andreas won one silver medal in 1980 and one bronze medal in 1984 in the giant slalom event, and her daughter Tina Weirather won a bronze medal in 2018 in the Super-G. With ten medals overall (all in alpine skiing), Liechtenstein has won more Olympic medals per capita than any other nation.[120] It is the smallest country to win a medal in any Olympics, Winter or Summer, and currently the only country to win a medal in the Winter Games but not in the Summer Games. Other notable skiers from Liechtenstein are Marco Büchel, Willi Frommelt, Paul Frommelt and Ursula Konzett.

Another discipline unusually popular with Liechtensteiners is motorsport; American-born German-Colombian Rikky von Opel raced under the flag of Liechtenstein in Formula One in 1973 and 1974, and Manfred Schurti competed in 9 editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans as a Porsche factory driver with a best finish of 4th overall in 1976.[121][122] The country is currently represented internationally by Fabienne Wohlwend and Matthias Kaiser in endurance racing.[123][124]

Other sports Liechtenstein athletes have had success in include tennis, with Stephanie Vogt and Kathinka von Deichmann both having varying degrees of success on the women's tour, as well as swimming; both Julia Hassler and Christoph Meier represented the country at the 2016 Summer Olympics with the former the nations' flag bearer.[125][126]

In March 2020, the distance world record for electric motorcycles was set in Liechtenstein. Artist Michel von Tell drove over 1,000 miles within 24 hours on the first electric Harley-Davidson. The Record is still current in 2023 and ended in Ruggell. The Event became global media attention.[127][128][129]

Youth

[edit]

Liechtenstein competes in the Switzerland U16 Cup Tournament, which offers young players an opportunity to play against top football clubs.

Security and defence

[edit]
Liechtenstein Police
Main article: Military history of Liechtenstein

The Liechtenstein National Police is responsible for keeping order within the country. It consists of 87 field officers and 38 civilian staff, totaling 125 employees. All officers are equipped with small arms. The country has one of the world's lowest crime rates. Liechtenstein's prison holds few, if any, inmates, and those with sentences over two years are transferred to Austrian jurisdiction.[130] The Liechtenstein National Police maintains a trilateral treaty with Austria and Switzerland that enables close cross-border cooperation among the police forces of the three countries.[131]

Liechtenstein follows a policy of neutrality and is one of the few countries in the world that maintain no military although its police force maintains a paramilitary force, the Princely Liechtenstein Security Corps, within the organisation that might act as its de facto army if an invasion of Liechtenstein ever occurred. The corps provides heavy backup for the National Police as well as Honor Guards at the Royal Palace and official functions. However, Liechtenstein can reinstate its military if deemed necessary.

The army was abolished for financial reasons soon after the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, in which Liechtenstein fielded an army of 80 men, although they were not involved in any fighting.[132][133] No casualties were incurred; in fact, the unit numbered 81 upon return due to an Italian military liaison who accompanied the army back home.[134] The demise of the German Confederation in that war freed Liechtenstein from its international obligation to maintain an army, and parliament seized this opportunity and refused to provide funding for one. The Prince objected, as such a move would leave the country defenceless, but relented on 12 February 1868 and disbanded the force.[133] The last soldier to serve under the colours of Liechtenstein, Andreas Kieber, died in 1939 at age 95.[135]

In 1985, the Swiss Army fired off shells during an exercise and mistakenly burned a patch of forest inside Liechtenstein. The incident was said to have been resolved "over a case of white wine".[119] In March 2007, a 170-man Swiss infantry unit got lost during a training exercise and inadvertently crossed 1.5 km (0.9 miles) into Liechtenstein. The accidental invasion ended when the unit realized their mistake and turned back.[136] The Swiss Army later informed Liechtenstein of the incursion and offered official apologies,[137] to which an internal ministry spokesperson responded, "No problem, these things happen."[138]

On 20 September 2017, Liechtenstein signed the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.[139]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Bevölkerungsstatistik 2017 Llv.li, p. 7
  2. ^ "213.001d Ständige Bevölkerung nach Religion, Stichtag und Variable der Einheit". statistikportal.li. Amt Für Statistik Fürstentum Liechtenstein. 15 December 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Liechtenstein in Figures 2024" (PDF). statistikportal.li. Liechtensteinische Landesverwaltung [de]. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  4. ^ Raum, Umwelt und Energie Archived 12 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine Landesverwaltung Liechtenstein. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
  5. ^ "Bevölkerungsstand per 31. Dezember 2023". statistikportal.li. Liechtensteinische Landesverwaltung [de]. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  6. ^ "Liechtenstein". cia.gov. Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  7. ^ "Amt für Statistik, Landesverwaltung Liechtenstein". Llv.li. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  8. ^ Key Figures for Liechtenstein Archived 17 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine Landesverwaltung Liechtenstein. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  9. ^ World Development Indicators, World Bank. Retrieved 1 July 2012. Note: "PPP conversion factor, GDP (LCU per international $)" and "Official exchange rate (LCU per US$, period average)" for Switzerland were used.
  10. ^ "GDP (current US$) - Liechtenstein". data.worldbank.org. World Bank. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  11. ^ "GDP per capita (current US$) - Liechtenstein". data.worldbank.org. World Bank. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  12. ^ "Human Development Report 2023/2024" (PDF). United Nations Development Programme. 13 March 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 March 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  13. ^ "Definition of 'Liechtenstein'". Collins English Dictionary.
  14. ^ Duden Aussprachewörterbuch, s.v. "Liechtenstein[er]".
  15. ^ "IGU regional conference on environment and quality of life in central Europe". GeoJournal. 28 (4): 483. 1992. Bibcode:1992GeoJo..28..483.. doi:10.1007/BF00273120. S2CID 189889904.
  16. ^ [1]. Amt für Statistik. Liechtenstein. 30 June 2019
  17. ^ "The smallest countries in the world by area". www.countries-ofthe-world.com. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  18. ^ "The World Factbook". CIA. Central Intelligence Agency. Archived from the original on 17 March 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  19. ^ Osborn, Andrew (17 March 2003). "European prince wins new powers". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  20. ^ CIA – The World Factbook – Country Comparison :: GDP – per capita (PPP) Archived 24 April 2013 at the Wayback Machine Cia.gov. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  21. ^ a b c History. swissworld.org. Retrieved 27 June 2009
  22. ^ a b "Römerzeit – Historisches Lexikon". historisches-lexikon.li (in German). Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  23. ^ a b Switzerland history Nationsencyclopedia.com. Retrieved 27 November 2009
  24. ^ History of Switzerland Nationsonline.org. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
  25. ^ Klieger, P. Christiaan (29 November 2012). "Principality of Liechtenstein". The Microstates of Europe: Designer Nations in a Post-Modern World. Anthropology, political science. Lanham, Maryland: Lexington Books (published 2012). p. 41. ISBN 978-0-7391-7427-2. Retrieved 27 January 2021. In 1300, the Walsers, a mountain-dwelling Alemannic speaking group from Valais in Switzerland, entered and inhabited the modern eastern Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Vorarlberg, Austria. The mountain village of Triesenberg is a modern preserve of the Walser people and their dialect.
  26. ^ Eccardt, Thomas (2005). Secrets of the Seven Smallest States of Europe. Hippocrene Books. p. 176. ISBN 978-0-7818-1032-6.
  27. ^ a b c "History, creation of Liechtenstein". liechtenstein.li. Liechtenstein Marketing. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  28. ^ Marxer, Roland (31 December 2011). "Zollanschlussvertrag". Historisches Lexikon (in German). Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  29. ^ Quaderer, Rupert (31 December 2011). "Novemberputsch 1918". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  30. ^ Wille, Herbert (31 December 2011). "Verfassung". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  31. ^ "Liechtenstein: Nazi Pressure?". Time. New York. 11 April 1938. Archived from the original on 9 March 2007. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  32. ^ "NAZIS IN CABINET IN LIECHTENSTEIN; Prince Franz Joseph, the New Ruler, Names Them Though Pledging Independence HITLER MOVEMENT GAINS Its Growing Strength Was One Reason for Abdication of Franz 1, Old Sovereign". The New York Times. 1 April 1938. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  33. ^ "Liechtenstein Jails Nazi For Attempt at Uprising". The New York Times. 27 April 1939. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  34. ^ "Prince Franz Josef II visits Adolf Hitler in Berlin". Liechtenstein-Institut (in German). 27 March 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  35. ^ "Prince Franz of the 'Postage Stamp State' Retires". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 1 May 1938. p. 76. Archived from the original on 21 April 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^ "Prince Franz to Return to Estate". Daily News. 1 April 1938. p. 216. Archived from the original on 20 April 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^ "Oldest Former Ruler Succumbs". Kenosha News. 26 July 1938. p. 1. Archived from the original on 20 April 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ^ "Prince Franz Josef II Von Und Zu Liechtenstein". Liechtenstein The Princely Collections (in German). 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  39. ^ "Nazi crimes taint Liechtenstein". BBC News. 14 April 2005. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
  40. ^ "Nazi Camp Labor Used in Liechtenstein". Deutsche Welle. 14 April 2005. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018.
  41. ^ "Liechtenstein and the Czech Republic establish diplomatic relations" (PDF). Government Spokesperson's Office, the Principality of Liechtenstein. 13 July 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 May 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
  42. ^ "Navázání diplomatických styků České republiky s Knížectvím Lichtenštejnsko" [Establishment of diplomatic relations with the Czech Republic and the Principality of Liechtenstein] (in Czech). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. 13 July 2009. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
  43. ^ "MINA Breaking News – Decades later, Liechtenstein and Czechs establish diplomatic ties". Macedoniaonline.eu. 15 July 2009. Archived from the original on 21 November 2009. Retrieved 6 June 2010.
  44. ^ "Liechtenstein and the Slovak Republic establish diplomatic relations" (PDF). Government Spokesperson's Office, the Principality of Liechtenstein. 9 December 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 May 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
  45. ^ Congress, United States (1967). Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the ... Congress. U.S. Government Printing Office.
  46. ^ Guinness Book of World Records. Sterling Publishing Company. 1972.
  47. ^ "United States Income Tax Treaties – A to Z". Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  48. ^ Lomas, Ulrika (16 March 2018). "US And Liechtenstein To Negotiate Double Tax Treaty". Tax-News.com. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  49. ^ Dimitropoulou, Alexandra (18 September 2019). "These Are The World's Richest Royals, 2019". CEO World. Archived from the original on 20 May 2020.
  50. ^ Marxer, Wilfried; Pállinger, Zoltán Tibor (2007). "System contexts and system effects of direct democracy-direct democracy in Liechtenstein and Switzerland compared". Direct Democracy in Europe. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften. pp. 12–29. doi:10.1007/978-3-531-90579-2_1. ISBN 978-3-531-90579-2. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  51. ^ "Country profile: Liechtenstein – Leaders". BBC News. 6 December 2006. Retrieved 29 December 2006.
  52. ^ "Liechtenstein profile - Overview". BBC News. 8 March 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  53. ^ Opinion on the amendments to the constitution of Liechtenstein proposed by the Princely House of Liechtenstein Venice Commission
  54. ^ "Principality of Liechtenstein website – Parliamentary elections". Archived from the original on 7 August 2004. Retrieved 11 January 2010.. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  55. ^ "Principality of Liechtenstein – Government". Archived from the original on 7 August 2007. Retrieved 11 January 2010.. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  56. ^ "Liechtenstein 1921 (rev. 2011) Constitution - Constitute". www.constituteproject.org. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  57. ^ "Liechtenstein Women Win Right to Vote". The New York Times. 2 July 1984. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  58. ^ "Liechtenstein: Parlament berät Vorlage zur Eheöffnung". Mannschaft Magazin. 3 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  59. ^ ""Ehe für Alle" ab 1. Januar 2025". www.radio.li (in German). Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  60. ^ Vaterland.li: Landtag beschliesst Ehe für alle, May 16, 2024
  61. ^ Lara, María; Lara, Laura (12 November 2019). Princesas en jeans: Historia, significado y vigencia de la monarquía (in Spanish). EDAF. ISBN 978-84-414-4000-5.
  62. ^ Bas, Philippe Le (1843). Estados de la Confederación Germánica: continuación de la historia general de Alemania (in Spanish). Imp. del Imparcial.
  63. ^ Winkler, Günther (2 September 2009). The Council of Europe: Monitoring Procedures and the Constitutional Autonomy of the Member States, A European law study, based upon documents and commentaries, illustrated by the Council of Europe's actions against the constitutional reform in Liechtenstein. Springer Vienna. ISBN 978-3-211-10030-1.
  64. ^ Duursma, Jorri C.; Duursma, Jorri Carolina; Crawford, Whewell Professor of International Law and Fellow James; Bell, Professor of Public and Comparative Law and Pro-Vice-Chancellor John (31 October 1996). Fragmentation and the International Relations of Micro-states: Self-determination and Statehood. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-56360-4.
  65. ^ La nueva agenda del comercio de la OMC (in Spanish). Universidad del Rosario. 2000. ISBN 978-958-9203-70-5.
  66. ^ "Summit of German-speaking Heads of State in Linz 2019". Vienna International News. 5 June 2019.
  67. ^ ""Aussenpolitik, Diplomatie und Mitgliedschaften. Portal des Fürstentums Liechtenstein,". ("Foreign Policy, Diplomacy and Memberships. Portal of the Principality of Liechtenstein,".)".
  68. ^ Vespierre, Gérard. "Rule of Law in the Heart of Europe: How Andorra, Liechtenstein and Monaco have undermined EU values" (PDF). The Bridge Tank. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  69. ^ "Members of the Forum of Small States (FOSS)" (PDF). Ministry of Public Administration, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. May 2022. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 March 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024., accessed= 28 Mar 2024
  70. ^ Vogt, Desiree (19 October 2024). "Ab Montag ist Liechtenstein offiziell IWF-Mitglied – Im US-amerikanischen Aussenministerium in Washington wird der Regierungschef das Übereinkommen unterzeichnen" [As of Monday, Liechtenstein is officially an IMF member – The head of government will sign the agreement at the US State Department in Washington]. Liechtensteiner Vaterland (in German). Vaduz, Liechtenstein. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  71. ^ Ntow, Francis (22 October 2024). "Liechtenstein becomes 191st IMF member". Washington, D.C. United States. Ghana News Agency. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  72. ^ "Gewässer – Revitalisierungsprojekte in Liechtenstein, Liechtensteiner Binnenkanal (LBK)" (PDF). Regierung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  73. ^ "Tiny Liechtenstein gets a little bigger", 29 December 2006.
  74. ^ "Liechtenstein redraws Europe map". BBC News. 28 December 2006.
  75. ^ a b c d "Liechtenstein". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
  76. ^ World Bank - Small States List
  77. ^ "Climate Normals Vaduz (Reference period 1991−2020)" (PDF). Swiss Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology, MeteoSwiss. 13 January 2022. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  78. ^ "Climate Normals Vaduz (Reference period 1981−2010)" (PDF). Swiss Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology, MeteoSwiss. 13 January 2022. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 July 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  79. ^ a b "Geologie, Gebirge, Berge, Gipfel, Alpen – Fürstentum Liechtenstein". www.liechtenstein.li. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  80. ^ Der westliche Rätikon wird nur aus orographisch-systematischen Gründen zu den zentralen Ostalpen gerechnet, weil er südlich der Ill–Arlberg-Furche liegt.
  81. ^ "Stabsstelle für Kommunikation und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit: Fürstentum Liechtenstein → Geologie".[permanent dead link]
  82. ^ Encyclopedia of the Nations. Nationsencyclopedia.com. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  83. ^ "Billionaire Tax Haven Liechtenstein Loses on Bank Reforms". Bloomberg.com. 2 May 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
  84. ^ Wiesmann, Gerrit (23 February 2008). "Lilliput's giant-slayer." Financial Times. London.
  85. ^ "Pro Libertate: A Parasite's Priorities (Updated, February 23)". Freedominourtime.blogspot.com. 22 February 2008. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
  86. ^ "Tax Me If You Can". ABC News Australia. 6 October 2008. Archived from the original on 12 December 2009. Retrieved 6 June 2010.
  87. ^ "Skandal gigantischen Ausmaßes". Süddeutsche Zeitung (in German). Munich. 17 May 2010. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  88. ^ Esterl, Mike; Simpson, Glenn R.; Crawford, David (19 February 2008). "Stolen Data Spur Tax Probes". The Wall Street Journal. New York. Retrieved 20 February 2008.
  89. ^ Removal from OECD List of Unco-operative Tax Havens. Oecd.org. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  90. ^ "UK signs Liechtenstein tax deal". BBC News. 11 August 2009. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  91. ^ "EU and Liechtenstein sign deal on automatic exchange of tax data" (Press release). Brussels: European Council. 28 October 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  92. ^ Statista - Number of arrivals in tourist accommodation in Liechtenstein from 2008 to 2021
  93. ^ "Bevölkerungsstand: Bevölkerungsstand per 31. Dezember 2021" (in German). Amt für Statistik Fürstentum Liechtenstein. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  94. ^ "WT/TPR/S/280 • Switzerland and Liechtenstein" (PDF). WTO. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  95. ^ "Volkszählung 2020 - Erste Ergebnisse" (PDF) (in German). Amt für Statistik Fürstentum Liechtenstein. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 July 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  96. ^ a b Jeroen Temperman (30 May 2010). State-Religion Relationships and Human Rights Law: Towards a Right to Religiously Neutral Governance. BRILL. pp. 44–45. ISBN 978-90-04-18148-9. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  97. ^ a b Aili Piano (30 September 2009). Freedom in the World 2009: The Annual Survey of Political Rights & Civil Liberties. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 426. ISBN 978-1-4422-0122-4. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  98. ^ "Global Restrictions on Religion" (PDF). Pew Research Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 January 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
  99. ^ "Aktuell :: Orthodoxie" (in German). www.orthodoxie.li. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  100. ^ "Volkszählung 2010". Llv.li. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
  101. ^ Range of rank on the PISA 2006 science scale. Retrieved 24 December 2011
  102. ^ "PISA 2012 Results in Focus" (PDF). Paris: OECD. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
  103. ^ a b "Weiterführende Schulen Schaan Archived 18 May 2016 at the Portuguese Web Archive." Commune of Schaan. Retrieved 12 May 2016. "Realschule Schaan Duxgass 55 9494 Schaan" and "Sportschule Liechtenstein Duxgass 55 9494 Schaan" and "Realschule Vaduz Schulzentrum Mühleholz II 9490 Vaduz" and "Oberschule Vaduz Schulzentrum Mühleholz II 9490 Vaduz"
  104. ^ "The history of PostBus". PostBus. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  105. ^ "About Swiss Travel Pass". Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  106. ^ "Railways in Liechtenstein". www.sinfin.net. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  107. ^ Morgan, Sam (2 September 2020). "Liechtensteiners say 'nein' to new railway". www.euractiv.com. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  108. ^ "Ostwind zone maps". Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  109. ^ Heliport Balzers FL LSXB. Tsis.ch. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  110. ^ Heliports – Balzers LSXB – Heli-Website von Matthias Vogt Archived 18 February 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Heli.li. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  111. ^ "Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)". Tripadvisor. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  112. ^ "History – Liechtensteinisches Landesmuseum". www.landesmuseum.li. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  113. ^ "Liechtenstein NationalMuseum". tourismus.li. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  114. ^ a b "Best things to see and do in Liechtenstein". World Travel Guide. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  115. ^ Intranda. "English Information". Liechtensteinische Landesbibliothek (in German). Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  116. ^ Phaf-Rheinberger, Ineke (12 January 2021). Ricardo Porros Architektur in Vaduz und Havanna (in German). Books on Demand. p. 76. ISBN 978-3-7526-8278-6.
  117. ^ Allmende (in German). J. Thorbecke. 1998. p. 7.
  118. ^ Vaduz-Vienna, LIECHTENSTEIN The Princely Collections. "Garden Palace | permanent presentation |". LIECHTENSTEIN. The Princely Collections, Vaduz–Vienna. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  119. ^ a b Letzing, John (16 April 2014). "Liechtenstein Gets Even Smaller". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  120. ^ "Per Capita Olympic Medal Table". Archived from the original on 13 September 2008. Retrieved 24 January 2009.
  121. ^ "Rikky von Opel " OldRacingCars.com". OldRacingCars.com. 24 January 2015.
  122. ^ "Manfred Schurti – Austro Classic Online (in German)". Austro Classic. 31 January 2013.
  123. ^ "Under the Visor: Fabienne Wohlwend". W Series. 14 February 2020. Archived from the original on 26 February 2020.
  124. ^ "(FL) Matthias Kaiser – Driver Database". Driver Database. 4 September 2020.
  125. ^ "Stephanie Vogt beendet ihre Karriere (in German)". Liechtensteiner Vaterland. 8 August 2016.
  126. ^ "The Flagbearers for the Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony". 16 August 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  127. ^ S.A.P, El Mercurio (24 March 2020). "Moto eléctrica de Harley-Davidson rompe récord al recorrer 1.700 km en 24 horas | Emol.com". Emol (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  128. ^ "Harley-Davidson's LiveWire EV Motorcycle | GreenCars". www.greencars.com. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  129. ^ Bartholdi, Martin A. (28 March 2020). "Schweizer fährt Weltrekord auf Elektrotöff". Blick (in Swiss High German). Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  130. ^ "Liechtenstein | World Prison Brief". www.prisonstudies.org. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  131. ^ "Liechtenstein – facts and figures" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 January 2006. Retrieved 2 May 2010.. Office for Foreign Affairs of Liechtenstein.
  132. ^ Ospelt, Joseph (1924). "Der 1866er Feldzug fürstlich leichtensteinischen Bundeskontingentes". Jahrbuch des Historischen Vereins für das Fürstentum Liechtenstein. 24. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  133. ^ a b Frommelt, Fabian; Rupert, Quaderer (31 December 2011). "Militär". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  134. ^ "Liechtenstein" (PDF). Lonely Planet Publications. Archived from the original on 27 October 2011. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  135. ^ Beattie, David (2004). Liechtenstein: A Modern History. London: I.B. Tauris. p. 30. ISBN 978-1-85043-459-7.
  136. ^ CBC News (2 March 2007). "Not-so-precise Swiss army unit mistakenly invades Liechtenstein". CBC News. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  137. ^ Hamilton, Lindsay (3 March 2007). "Whoops! Swiss Accidentally Invade Liechtenstein". ABC News. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  138. ^ Brook, Benedict (24 March 2017). "Liechtenstein, the country that's so small it keeps being invaded by its bigger neighbour". news.com.au. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  139. ^ "Chapter XXVI: Disarmament – No. 9 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons". United Nations Treaty Collection. 7 July 2017.
[edit]

47°9′N 9°33′E / 47.150°N 9.550°E / 47.150; 9.550

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Liechtenstein&oldid=1253946704"