Liechtenstein
Principality of Liechtenstein Fürstentum Liechtenstein (German) | |
|---|---|
Flag
Coat of arms
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| 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] | |
| Capital | Vaduz |
| Largest municipality | Schaan[a]
47°10′00″N 9°30′35″E / 47.16667°N 9.50972°E |
| Official languages | German |
| Nationality (2017)[3] | |
| Religion (2020)[4] |
|
| Demonym(s) | Liechtensteiner |
| Government | Unitary parliamentary semi-constitutional monarchy with elements of a direct democracy |
• Monarch | Hans-Adam II |
• Regent | Alois |
• Prime Minister | Brigitte Haas |
| Legislature | Landtag |
| Independence as principality | |
• Union between Vaduz and Schellenberg | 23 January 1719 |
• Treaty of Pressburg | 12 July 1806 |
• Separation from German Confederation | 23 August 1866 |
| Area | |
• Total | 160.50[5] km2 (61.97 sq mi) (190th) |
• Water (%) | 2.7[6] |
| Population | |
• 2023 estimate | 41,232[7] (189th) |
• Density | 249/km2 (644.9/sq mi) (56th) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2024 estimate |
• Total | $7.172 billion[8] (169th) |
• Per capita | $210,600[8] |
| GDP (nominal) | 2023 estimate |
• Total | $8.288 billion[9] (155th) |
• Per capita | $207,974[10] |
| HDI (2023) | 0.938[11] very high (17th) |
| Currency | Swiss franc (CHF) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| Calling code | +423 |
| ISO 3166 code | LI |
| Internet TLD | .li |
Liechtenstein[b] (/ˈlɪktənstaɪn/ ⓘ, LIK-tən-styne;[14] German pronunciation: [ˈlɪçtn̩ʃtaɪn] ⓘ; Alemannic German: Liachtaschta), officially the Principality of Liechtenstein (German: Fürstentum Liechtenstein [ˈfʏʁstn̩tuːm ˈlɪçtn̩ˌʃtaɪ̯n] ⓘ),[c][18] is a doubly landlocked German-speaking microstate in the Central European Alps, between Austria to the east and north-east and Switzerland to the north-west, west and south.[19] 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.[20] It is the world's smallest country to border two countries,[21] and is one of the few countries with no debt.[22]
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.[23]
Economically, Liechtenstein has one of the highest gross domestic products per person in the world when adjusted for purchasing power parity.[24] 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.
- ^ \"Liechtenstein.\" Encyclopædia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/place/Liechtenstein
- ^ Government of Liechtenstein, Official Portal, https://www.liechtenstein.li/en/
- ^ Bevölkerungsstatistik 2017 Llv.li, p. 7
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Liechtenstein in Figures 2024" (PDF). statistikportal.li. Liechtensteinische Landesverwaltung. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
- ^ Raum, Umwelt und Energie Archived 12 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine Landesverwaltung Liechtenstein. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
- ^ "Bevölkerungsstand per 31. Dezember 2023". statistikportal.li. Liechtensteinische Landesverwaltung. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Liechtenstein". Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
- ^ "GDP (current US$) - Liechtenstein". data.worldbank.org. World Bank. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
- ^ "GDP per capita (current US$) - Liechtenstein". data.worldbank.org. World Bank. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
- ^ "Human Development Report 2023/2024". United Nations Development Programme. 6 May 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
- ^ "Liechtenstein's Historical Ties With Austria: A Complex Past". shunculture.com. Ruqayyah Snyder. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
- ^ "18th century: Das Fürstenhaus von Liechtenstein". fuerstenhaus.li. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
- ^ "Definition of 'Liechtenstein'". Collins English Dictionary.
- ^ "Fürstentum - Translation in English - Langenscheidt dictionary German-English". en.langenscheidt.com. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
- ^ "The Monarchy". fuerstenhaus.li. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
- ^ "Princely House". liechtensteinusa.org. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
- ^ Duden Aussprachewörterbuch, s.v. "Liechtenstein[er]".
- ^ "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.
- ^ [1]. Amt für Statistik. Liechtenstein. 30 June 2019
- ^ "The smallest countries in the world by area". www.countries-ofthe-world.com. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
- ^ "The World Factbook". CIA. Central Intelligence Agency. Archived from the original on 17 March 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
- ^ Osborn, Andrew (17 March 2003). "European prince wins new powers". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ CIA – The World Factbook – Country Comparison :: GDP – per capita (PPP) Archived 24 April 2013 at the Wayback Machine Cia.gov. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
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