Liechtenstein

**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 only by landlocked countries. Liechtenstein is located between Austria and Switzerland.

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.

In 1969, NASA gave Liechtenstein moon rocks and a national flag that had been on the moon to thank them for their support from a Liechtenstein company during the Apollo 11 mission.

## 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

- Liechtenstein at the Olympics
- Liechtenstein national football team
- List of rivers of Liechtenstein

## Infobox (country)

- **common name**: Liechtenstein
- **conventional long name**: Principality of Liechtenstein
- **image flag**: Flag of Liechtenstein.svg
- **image coat**: Staatswappen-Liechtensteins.svg
- **image map**: Location Liechtenstein Europe.png
- **image map2**: Location Liechtenstein.png
- **map2 width**: 250px
- **national motto**: Für Gott, Fürst und Vaterland<small>

For God, Prince and Fatherland </small>
- **national anthem**: _Oben am jungen Rhein_

- **official languages**: German language, German
- **capital**: Vaduz
- **latd**: 47
- **latm**: 08.5
- **latns**: N
- **longd**: 9
- **longm**: 31.4
- **longew**: E
- **largest city**: Schaan
- **leader title1**: Prince of Liechtenstein, Prince
- **leader name1**: Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein, Hans-Adam II
- **leader title2**: Prince of Liechtenstein, Regent
- **leader name2**: Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein, Alois
- **leader title3**: Prime Minister of Liechtenstein, Prime Minister
- **leader name3**: Brigitte Haas
- **leader title4**: Landtag of Liechtenstein, Landtag Speaker
- **leader name4**: Albert Frick
- **area km2**: 160
- **area sq mi**: 61
- **area rank**: 215th
- **area magnitude**: 1 E8
- **percent water**: negligible
- **population estimate**: 36,010
- **population estimate year**: 2010
- **population estimate rank**: 209th
- **population density km2**: 224
- **population density sq mi**: 581
- **population density rank**: 57th
- **population census**: 33,307
- **population census year**: 2000
- **gdp nominal year**: 2009
- **gdp nominal**: $4.797 billion
- **gdp nominal rank**: 147th
- **gdp nominal per capita**: $134,045
- **gdp nominal per capita rank**: 2nd
- **gdp ppp year**: 2009
- **gdp ppp**: $3.409 billion
- **gdp ppp rank**: 163rd
- **gdp ppp per capita**: $95,249
- **gdp ppp per capita rank**: 2nd
- **hdi**: 0.905
- **hdi change**: increase
- **hdi rank**: 8th
- **hdi year**: 2010
- **hdi category**: <span style="color:#090;">very high</span>
- **sovereignty type**: Independence as principality
- **established event1**: Treaty of Pressburg
- **established date1**: 1806
- **established event2**: Independence from the German Confederation
- **established date2**: 1866
- **currency**: Swiss franc
- **currency code**: CHF
- **time zone**: Central European Time, CET
- **utc offset**: +1
- **time zone dst**: Central European Summer Time, CEST
- **utc offset dst**: +2
- **demonym**: Liechtensteiner
- **drives on**: right
- **cctld**: .li
- **calling code**: Telephone numbers in Liechtenstein, +423