CIA - The World Factbook

The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719. Occupied by both French and Russian troops during the Napoleanic wars, it became a sovereign state in 1806 and joined the Germanic Confederation in 1815. Liechtenstein became fully independent in 1866 when the Confederation dissolved. 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. In 2000, shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight resulted in concerns about the use of financial institutions for money laundering. However, Liechtenstein implemented anti-money-laundering legislation and a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the US that went into effect in 2003.

Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland

about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC

0 km (doubly 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

hydroelectric potential, arable land

along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation

34,761 (July 2009 est.)

9.75 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)

7.39 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)

4.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)

1.52 children born/woman (2009 est.)

Liechtensteiner 65.6%, other 34.4% (2000 census)

Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 7%, unknown 10.6%, other 6.2% (June 2002)

German (official), Alemannic dialect

constitutional monarchy

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; amended 15 September 2003

local civil and penal codes based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

18 years of age; universal

unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats; members are elected by popular vote under proportional representation to serve four-year terms)

Supreme Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Court of Appeal or Obergericht

Die Freie Liste (The Free List) or FL [Claudia HEEB-FLECK and Egon MATT]; Fortschrittliche Buergerpartei (Progressive Citizens' Party) or FBP [Marcus VOGT]; Vaterlaendische Union (Fatherland Union) or VU [Adolf HEEB]

CE, EBRD, EFTA, IAEA, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCL, WIPO, WTO

the US does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein; the US Ambassador to Switzerland is accredited to Liechtenstein

two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band; the colors may derive from the blue and red livery design used in the principality's household in the 18th century; the prince's crown was introduced in 1937 to distinguish the flag from that of Haiti

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 the highest per capita income in the world. 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 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. In 2008 Liechtenstein came under renewed international pressure - particularly from Germany - to improve transparency in its banking and tax systems.

$4.16 billion (2007)

$4.035 billion (2006)

$4.993 billion (2007)

$118,000 (2007 est.)

31,000 of whom 13,900 commute from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany to work each day (31 December 2006)

1.5% (31 December 2007)

1.3% (September 2002)

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

$917.3 million (1996)

agricultural products, raw materials, energy products, machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles

Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar - 1.0774 (2008 est.), 1.1973 (2007), 1.2539 (2006), 1.2452 (2005), 1.2435 (2004)

AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)

NA (linked to Swiss networks) (1997)

9 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified)

no regular military forces (constitutionally prohibited); Principality of Liechtenstein National Police (Landespolizei, LP) (2008)

Liechtenstein has no military forces, but is interested in European security policy and is an active member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)

has strengthened money laundering controls, but money laundering remains a concern due to Liechtenstein's sophisticated offshore financial services sector