Liechtenstein: Country in Central Europe
Liechtenstein (officially the Principality of Liechtenstein) is a country in Western Europe.
It is the sixth smallest country in the world and, with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries. This means that it is bordered by landlocked countries. Liechtenstein is located between Austria and Switzerland.
Principality of Liechtenstein Fürstentum Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|
| Motto: Für Gott, Fürst und Vaterland For God, Prince and Fatherland | |
| Anthem: (English: "High on the Young Rhine") | |
![Location of Liechtenstein (green) on the European continent (dark grey) — [Legend]](/wiki/simple/File:Location_Liechtenstein_Europe.png) Location of Liechtenstein (green) on the European continent (dark grey) — [Legend] | |
 Location of Liechtenstein (green) | |
| Capital | Vaduz |
| Largest city | Schaan |
| Official languages | German |
| Demonym(s) | Liechtensteiner |
| Government | Unitary parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy |
• Prince | Hans-Adam II |
• Regent | Alois |
| Daniel Risch | |
• Landtag Speaker | Albert Frick |
| Independence as principality | |
• Treaty of Pressburg | 1806 |
• Independence from the German Confederation | 1866 |
| Area | |
• Total | 160 km2 (62 sq mi) (215th) |
• Water (%) | negligible |
| Population | |
• 2010 estimate | 36,010 (209th) |
• 2000 census | 33,307 |
• Density | 224/km2 (580.2/sq mi) (57th) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2009 estimate |
• Total | $3.409 billion (163rd) |
• Per capita | $95,249 (2nd) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2009 estimate |
• Total | $4.797 billion (147th) |
• Per capita | $134,045 (2nd) |
| HDI (2010) |  0.905very high · 8th |
| Currency | Swiss franc (CHF) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | +423 |
| ISO 3166 code | LI |
| Internet TLD | .li |
The official language in Liechtenstein is German. The capital of Liechtenstein is Vaduz, a very small town of 5,000 people. Liechtenstein is famous for its many private banks.
Liechtenstein is known as a principality. This means that the monarch has the title of Prince.
History
The territory that is now Liechtenstein was once split into two different states, the County of Vaduz and the Lordship of Schellenberg, which were both part of the Holy Roman Empire.
The Liechtenstein family wanted more power within the Holy Roman Empire. In the 17th century, the Holy Roman Emperor made Karl Liechtenstein a Prince. Karl's descendant, Hans Adam I purchased the lands of the County of Vaduz and the Lordship of Schellenberg and united them into one principality named Liechtenstein.
In 1806, the Holy Roman Empire was broken up by Napoleon. With the fall of the Empire, Liechtenstein became a free independent country. Liechtenstein remained neutral during World War I and World War II. Hitler did have plans to invade Liechtenstein alongside Switzerland in the planned Operation Tannenbaum but never did.
Geography
Liechtenstein is located in 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. Its highest point, the 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.
Politics
Liechtenstein is a constitutional monarchy, meaning that the head of state is a monarch (with the title Prince Regnant) but has limited political powers. The Prince can veto legislations, call for a referendum, create new bills and dissolve parliament.
The legislature is the landtag (or diet). There are 25 elected members. The members of government are usually all members of the biggest political party.
Related pages
References
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