Liechtenstein is an European principality of Central Europe. Located between Switzerland and Austria, it has an area of 160 km2. The most important cities are Vaduz, the capital, with 5200 residents (2004), and Schaan, with 5800 residents.
The climate is temperate continental. It suffers the action of the Föhn wind, hot and dry, blowing from the south.
Economy
Liechtenstein does not have natural resources of commercial value and also does not have heavy industry. The existing industrial products are optical lenses, electronic equipment, pharmaceutical products and food products. The dominant crops are maize, potatoes, wheat, barley and vegetables.
Environmental indicator: the value of carbon dioxide emissions, per capita (metric tons, 1999), is 0.8.
Population
The population is estimated at 33 987 residents (2006), which corresponds to a density of approximately 210.75 residents/km2. The birth and death rates are respectively 10.21% and 7.18%. Average life expectancy is 79.68 years. It is estimated that, in 2025, the population will be 38 000 residents. Liechtenstein’s natives make up 62% of the population, followed by Swiss (16%), Austrians (8%) and Germans (4%). The most prominent religions are Catholic, with 80%, and Protestant, with 7%. The official language is German.
History
Over the centuries the territory of Liechtenstein has been occupied by two suzerains: that of the Holy Roman Empire and that of Vaduz and Schellenberg. The principality of Liechtenstein, founded in 1719, consists of these two suzerains. Between 1806 and 1815, the territory was part of the Rhine Confederation and, between 1815 and 1866, it was part of the German Confederation. In 1866, Liechtenstein became independent, but the Vaduz and Schellenberg regions remain separate electoral districts.
Currently, Liechtenstein is a constitutional monarchy in which government power derives from the prince and the population. The succession of the throne is inherited by the male line and is determined by the regulations of the Royal House. Only in 1984 did women, over the age of 20, gain the right to vote in national, but not local, matters. Although there is a police force, since 1868 the army has been abolished.
Countryaah.com: Offers a full list of airports in the country of Liechtenstein, sorted by city location and acronyms.
Abbreviationfinder.org: Provides most commonly used abbreviations and initials containing the country name of Liechtenstein. Listed by popularity.
1UpTravel.com – Maps of Liechtenstein
Check out the maps of this small central European country, between Austria and Switzerland. Includes a political map of Liechtenstein.
