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The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy
Roman Empire in 1719; it became a sovereign state in 1806. Until the
end of World War I, it was closely tied to Austria, but the economic
devastation caused by that conflict forced Liechtenstein to enter
into a customs and monetary union with Switzerland. Since World War
II (in which Liechtenstein remained neutral), the country's low
taxes have spurred outstanding economic growth. Shortcomings in
banking regulatory oversight have resulted in concerns about the use
of the financial institutions for money laundering. Liechtenstein
has, however, implemented new anti-money-laundering legislation and
recently concluded a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the US.
Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland
47 16 N, 9 32 E
total: 160 sq km total: 76 km 0 km (doubly landlocked)
none (landlocked)
continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool
to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third
lowest point: Ruggeller Riet 430 m hydroelectric potential, arable land
arable land: 25% along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries
in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation
33,987 (July 2006 est.)
0-14 years: 17.4% (male 2,922/female 2,988) total: 39.6 years 0.78% (2006 est.)
10.21 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
7.18 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
4.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female total: 4.64 deaths/1,000 live births total population: 79.68 years 1.51 children born/woman (2006 est.)
noun: Liechtensteiner(s) Alemannic 86%, Italian, Turkish, and other 14%
Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 7%, unknown 10.6%, other 6.2% (June
2002) German (official), Alemannic dialect
definition: age 10 and over can read and write conventional long form: Principality of Liechtenstein hereditary constitutional monarchy on a democratic and parliamentary
basis Vaduz 11 communes (Gemeinden,
singular - Gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken,
Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz 23 January 1719
(Principality of Liechtenstein established); 12 July 1806
(independence from the Holy Roman Empire) Assumption Day, 15 August
5 October 1921
local civil and penal codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,
with reservations 18 years of age; universal
unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats; members are elected by
direct, popular vote under proportional representation to serve
four-year terms) Supreme Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Court of Appeal or
Obergericht Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Liechtenstein
has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized,
free-enterprise economy with a vital financial service sector and
living standards on a par with its large European neighbors. The
Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of
small businesses. Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 20% -
and easy incorporation rules have induced many holding or so-called
letter box companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein,
providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a
customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its
national currency. It imports more than 90% of its energy
requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the European
Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between the
European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the EU) since May 1995.
The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with
those of an integrated Europe. $825 million (1999 est.)
11% (1999 est.)
$25,000 (1999 est.)
agriculture: NA% 29,000 of whom 13,900 commute from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany
to work each day (2001) agriculture:
1.3% 1.3% (September
2002) 1% (2001) revenues: $424.2 million wheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock, dairy products
electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, ceramics,
pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism,
optical instruments $2.47 billion (1996)
small specialty machinery, connectors for audio and video, parts for
motor vehicles, dental products, hardware, prepared foodstuffs,
electronic equipment, optical products
EU 62.6% (Germany 24.3%, Austria 9.5%, France 8.9%, Italy 6.6%, UK
4.6%), US 18.9%, Switzerland 15.7% (2004) $917.3 million (1996)
agricultural products, raw materials, machinery, metal goods,
textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles EU, Switzerland (2004)
$0 (2001) Swiss franc (CHF)
calendar year
19,900 (2002) 11,400 (2002) general assessment: automatic telephone system AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)
NA (linked to Swiss networks) (1997)
.li 7,491 (2005) 20,000 (2002) none (2005) gas 20 km (2004)
total: 250 km 28 km (2005) none
defence is the responsibility of Switzerland
in February 2005, the ICJ refused to rule on the restitution of
Liechtenstein's land and property assets in the Czech Republic
confiscated in 1945 as German property has strengthened money-laundering controls, but money laundering
remains a concern due to Liechtenstein's sophisticated offshore
financial services sector |
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