The Principality of Liechtenstein is situated in Western Europe. It is one of the two doubly landlocked countries in the world. The other is Uzbekistan. The landlocked country shares its border with Switzerland to the west and by Austria to the east. Spanning across 160 sq km area, Liechtenstein is the 6th smallest independent nation in the world and it is the tiniest German-speaking country in the world. Liechtenstein is well known as a tax heaven. Vaduz is the capital of the country. The country has no regular military forces. The Assumption Day on 15th August is considered as the national holiday.
HISTORY:- The Liechtensteiners came into the region around 500 AD. In 1719, Liechtenstein was founded with the unification of Vaduz and Schellenberg by Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor. Since 23rd January 1719, Liechtenstein gained the status of the sovereign member state of the Holy Roman Empire. During the Napoleonic Wars in 1806, the Holy Roman Empire came under French control. Downfall of the Holy Roman Empire resulted into the social, legal and political chaos in Liechtenstein. In 1806 in the Confederation of the Rhine, the prince of Liechtenstein became a member until the fall of the Confederation in 1813. Liechtenstein became a member of German Confederation from 1815 to 1866. In 1866, it gained the status of an independent principality and in 1968 it abolished its armed forces for financial reasons.
GEOGRAPHY:- Liechtenstein is located at 47 16 N, 9 32 E in Central Europe. The small country spans through 160 sq km. Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked nation. The lowest point is Ruggeller Riet (430 m) and the highest point is Vorder-Grauspitz (2,599 m). Basically Liechtenstein is located in the Upper Rhine valley of the European Alps. The country is most mountainous while the western region is composed of rivers.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Liechtenstein is mostly continental with cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain and cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers.
GOVERNMENT:- Liechtenstein has a constitutional monarchy. The constitution was adopted on 5th October 1921. The legal procedures are carried out in accordance with the local civil and penal codes based on the civil law system of Liechtenstein. The three major branches of the government and their head officials are:
Executive branch comprises the Prince (chief of state), the Prime minister (Head of Government), Deputy Head of Government and the cabinet. The monarch is hereditary. The leader of the majority party is usually appointed the head of government and the leader of the largest minority party is generally appointed the deputy head of government by the monarch. Both the Head of Government and the Deputy Head of Government are elected from the Landtag. The cabinet is confirmed by the Monarch and elected by the Parliament.
Legislative branch comprises the unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.
Fatherland Union (VU), Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP), and the Free List (FL) are the three major political parties of Liechtenstein. Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.
Fatherland Union (VU), Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP), and the Free List (FL) are the three major political parties of Liechtenstein. Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.
Prince Hans-Adam II
Prince Regent Alois
Prime Minister Otmar Hasler
Deputy Head of Government Klaus Tschuetscher
Prince Regent Alois
Prime Minister Otmar Hasler
Deputy Head of Government Klaus Tschuetscher
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Liechtenstein is divided into 11 municipalities: Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, and Vaduz.
CULTURE:- European culture interferences including Austrian, Bavarian, Swiss, and Tyrol cultures are prominent in the cultural attributes of Liechtenstein. Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein is the largest museum of the nation, which preserves a huge art collection. Swiss influence is traced out in Vaduz by the landmark building, built by three Swiss architectures. The Liechtenstein National Museum exhibits the historical evolution of Liechtenstein. Music and theatre are two integral parts of its culture. Football is the most popular sport of the country.
ECONOMY:- In spite of the tiny natural resources, Liechtenstein has a developed, highly industrialized, and free-enterprise economy, with maintaining parity with the high living standards of the neighbouring European nations. It is one of the few nations in the world to have more registered companies than their citizens. It has a very strong financial service sector. Liechtenstein is a member of European Economic Area.
GDP/PPP (1999 est.): $825 million; per capita $25,000.
Real growth rate: 11%.
Inflation: 1% (2001).
Unemployment: 1.3% (Sept. 2002).
Arable land: 25%.
Agriculture: Wheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock, dairy products.
Labor force: 29,000 of whom 13,900 from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany to work each day (2001); industry 47.4%, services 51.3%, agriculture 1.3% (2001).
Industries: Electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism, optical instruments. Natural resources: hydroelectric potential, arable land.
Budget:
Revenues: $424.2 million
Expenditures: $414.1 million (1998 est.)
Revenues: $424.2 million
Expenditures: $414.1 million (1998 est.)
Debt - external: $0 (2001)
Exports: $2.47 billion (1996): Small specialty machinery, connectors for audio and video, parts for motor vehicles, dental products, hardware, prepared foodstuffs, electronic equipment, and optical products.
Exports - partners: EU 62.6% (Germany 24.3%, Austria 9.5%, France 8.9%, Italy 6.6%, UK 4.6%), US 18.9%, Switzerland 15.7% (2006)
Imports: $917.3 million (1996): Agricultural products, raw materials, machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles.
Imports - partners: EU, Switzerland (2006)
Major trading partners: EU (Germany, Austria, France, Italy, UK), U.S., Switzerland (2004).
Monetary unit: Swiss franc
LANGUAGE:- German is the official language of Liechtenstein while Alemannic dialects are also widely spoken.
CITIES:- The capital Vaduz is the largest city of Liechtenstein.
POPULATION:- The population of Liechtenstein is estimated 34,247 with an average growth rate of 0.7%.
Density per sq mi: 551
Literacy rate: 100% (1981 est.)
Density per sq mi: 551
Literacy rate: 100% (1981 est.)
RACE:-
Liechtensteiner 65.6%
Other 34.4% (2000)
Liechtensteiner 65.6%
Other 34.4% (2000)
RELIGION:-
Roman Catholic 76.2%
Protestant 7%
Unknown 10.6%
Other 6.2% (2002)
Roman Catholic 76.2%
Protestant 7%
Unknown 10.6%
Other 6.2% (2002)
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 9.86 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 7.42 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 4.52 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.95 years
Total fertility rate: 1.51 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Birth rate: 9.86 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 7.42 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 4.52 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.95 years
Total fertility rate: 1.51 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
UNICEF:- UNICEF is not active in Liechtenstein.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: total: 18.5 km; note: owned, operated, and included in statistics of Austrian Federal Railways (2002).
Highways: total: 250 km; paved: 250 km; unpaved: 0 km.
Ports and harbors: none.
Airports: none.
Railways: total: 18.5 km; note: owned, operated, and included in statistics of Austrian Federal Railways (2002).
Highways: total: 250 km; paved: 250 km; unpaved: 0 km.
Ports and harbors: none.
Airports: none.
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