The oldest traces of human existence in the area of present-day Liechtenstein date back to theMiddle Paleolithic era.[21]Neolithic farming settlements appeared in the valleys around 5300 BCE.
TheHallstatt andLa Tène cultures flourished during the lateIron Age, from around 450 BCE—possibly under some influence of both theGreek andEtruscan civilisations. One of the most important tribal groups in the Alpine region were theHelvetii. In 58 BCE, at theBattle of Bibracte,Julius Caesar defeated the Alpine tribes, thereby bringing the region underRoman subjugation. By 15 BCE,Tiberius—later the second Roman emperor—with his brother,Drusus, conquered the entire Alpine area.[22]
Liechtenstein then became integrated into theRoman province ofRaetia. The area was garrisoned by theRoman army, which maintained large legionary camps atBrigantium (Bregenz, Austria), nearLake Constance, and atMagia (Maienfeld, Switzerland). The Romans built and maintained aroad which ran through the territory. Around 260 CE Brigantium was destroyed by theAlemanni, aGermanic people who later settled in the area around 450.[22]
The area that later became Liechtenstein remained under Frankish hegemony (Merovingian andCarolingian dynasties) until theTreaty of Verdun divided the Carolingian empire in 843, following the death ofCharlemagne in 814.[21] The territory of present-day Liechtenstein formed part ofEast Francia. It would later be reunified withMiddle Francia under theHoly Roman Empire, around 1000.[21] Until about 1100, the predominant language of the area wasRomansch, but thereafterGerman began to gain ground in the territory. In 1300, another Alemannic population—theWalsers, who originated inValais—entered the region and settled; the mountain village ofTriesenberg today preserves features of theWalser dialect.[25]
By 1200, dominions across the Alpine plateau were controlled by the Houses ofSavoy,Zähringer,Habsburg, andKyburg. Other regions were accorded theImperial immediacy that granted the empire direct control over the mountain passes. When the Kyburg dynasty fell in 1264, the Habsburgs underKing Rudolph I, the Holy Roman Emperor in 1273, extended their territory to the eastern Alpine plateau that included the territory of Liechtenstein.[23] This region wasenfeoffed to theCounts of Hohenems until the sale to theLiechtenstein dynasty in 1699.
In 1396,Vaduz, the southern region of Liechtenstein, gainedimperial immediacy, i.e. it became subject to the Holy Roman Emperor alone.[26]
The family from which the principality takes its name originally came fromLiechtenstein Castle in Lower Austria, which they had possessed since at least 1140 until the 13th century, and again from 1807 onwards. The Liechtensteins acquired land, predominantly inMoravia,Lower Austria,Silesia, andStyria. As these territories were all held infeudal tenure from more senior feudal lords, particularly various branches of theHabsburgs, the Liechtenstein dynasty was unable to meet a primary requirement to qualify for a seat in the Imperial Diet (parliament), theReichstag. Even though several Liechtenstein princes served several Habsburg rulers as close advisers, without any territory held directly from the Imperial throne, they held little power in the Holy Roman Empire.[citation needed]
For this reason, the family sought to acquire lands that would be classed asunmittelbar, or held without any intermediate feudal tenure, directly from theHoly Roman Emperor. During the early 17th century,Karl I of Liechtenstein was made aFürst (prince) by the Holy Roman EmperorMatthias after siding with him in a political battle.Hans-Adam I was allowed to purchase the minusculeHerrschaft ('Lordship') of Schellenberg and thecounty of Vaduz (in 1699 and 1712, respectively) from the Hohenems. Tiny Schellenberg and Vaduz had exactly the political status required: no feudal superior (suzerain) other than the emperor.[citation needed]
By the early 19th century, as a result of theNapoleonic Wars in Europe, the Holy Roman Empire came under the effective control of France, following the crushing defeat atAusterlitz byNapoleon in 1805. In 1806, EmperorFrancis II abdicated anddissolved the Holy Roman Empire, ending more than 960 years of feudal government. Napoleon reorganized much of the Empire into theConfederation of the Rhine. This political restructuring had broad consequences for Liechtenstein: the historical imperial, legal, and political institutions had been dissolved. The state ceased to owe an obligation to any feudal lord beyond its borders.[27]
Modern publications generally attribute Liechtenstein's sovereignty to these events. Its prince ceased to owe an obligation to anysuzerain. From 25 July 1806, when theConfederation of the Rhine was founded, the Prince of Liechtenstein was a member, in fact a vassal, of itshegemon, styledprotector, the French Emperor Napoleon I, until the dissolution of the confederation on 19 October 1813.
In 1818,Prince Johann I granted the territory a limited constitution. In that same yearPrince Aloys became the first member of the House of Liechtenstein to set foot in the principality that bore their name. The next visit would not occur until 1842.
Developments during the 19th century included:
1842: the first factory for making ceramics was opened.
1861: the Savings and Loans Bank was founded along with the first cotton-weaving mill.
1866: the German Confederation was dissolved.
1868: the Liechtenstein Army was disbanded for financial reasons.
1872: arailway line between Switzerland and the Austro-Hungarian Empire was constructed through Liechtenstein.
1886: two bridges over the Rhine to Switzerland were built.
Until the end ofWorld War I, Liechtenstein was closely tied first to theAustrian Empire and later toAustria-Hungary; the ruling princes continued to derive much of their wealth from estates in the Habsburg territories, and spent much of their time at their two palaces in Vienna. The economic devastation caused by World War I forced the country to conclude acustoms and monetary union with its other neighbour,Switzerland.[28] In addition, popular unrest caused from economic devastation in the war directly led to theNovember 1918 Liechtenstein putsch, which created the process of anew constitution based onconstitutional monarchy being introduced in 1921.[29][30]
In 1929, 75-year-oldPrince Franz I succeeded to the throne. He had just marriedElisabeth von Gutmann, a wealthy woman from Vienna whose father was a Jewish businessman from Moravia. Although Liechtenstein had no officialNazi party, a Nazi sympathy movement arose within its National Union party.Local Liechtenstein Nazis identified Elisabeth as their Jewish "problem".[31][32] Pro-Nazi agitation remained in Liechtenstein throughout the 1930s, with anattempted coup in March 1939 whileFranz Joseph II was on a state visit toBerlin.[33][34]
In March 1938, just after theannexation of Austria by Nazi Germany, Franz named as regent his 31-year-old grandnephew and heir-presumptive,Prince Franz Joseph. After making his grandnephew regent he moved to Feldberg,Czechoslovakia and on 25 July, he died while at one of his family's castles, Castle Feldberg, and Franz Joseph formally succeeded him as the Prince of Liechtenstein.[35][36][37]
DuringWorld War II, Liechtenstein remained officially neutral, looking to neighbouring Switzerland for assistance and guidance, while family treasures from dynastic lands and possessions inBohemia,Moravia, andSilesia were taken to Liechtenstein for safekeeping.Operation Tannenbaum, the Nazi plan for conquest of Switzerland, also included Liechtenstein, and the Nazi "Pan German" dream of uniting all German-speakers in the Reich would have also included the population of Liechtenstein. However in 1944, the Nazis abandoned implementing this plan after theAllied invasion of France, and Liechtenstein was spared from enduring a Nazi occupation.
At the close of the conflict,Czechoslovakia andPoland, acting to seize what they considered German possessions, expropriated all of the Liechtenstein dynasty's properties in those three regions.[38] The expropriations (subject tomodern legal dispute at theInternational Court of Justice) included over 1,600 km2 (618 sq mi) of agricultural and forest land (most notably the UNESCO listedLednice–Valtice Cultural Landscape), and several family castles and palaces.
In 2005, a government-commissioned investigation revealed that Jewish slave labourers from theStrasshofconcentration camp, provided by theSS, had worked on estates in Austria owned by Liechtenstein's Princely House.[39] The report indicated that though no evidence was found of the House's knowledge of the slave labour, the House bore responsibility.[40]
Citizens of Liechtenstein were forbidden to enter Czechoslovakia during theCold War. The diplomatic conflict revolving around the controversial postwarBeneš decrees resulted in Liechtenstein not having international relations with theCzech Republic orSlovakia. Diplomatic relations were established between Liechtenstein and the Czech Republic on 13 July 2009,[41][42][43] and with Slovakia on 9 December 2009.[44]
Liechtenstein was in dire financial straits following the end of World War II. The Liechtenstein dynasty often resorted to selling family artistic treasures, including the portraitGinevra de' Benci byLeonardo da Vinci, which was purchased by theNational Gallery of Art of the United States in 1967 forUS$5 million ($47 million in 2024 dollars),[45] then a record price for a painting.[46]
By the late 1970s, Liechtenstein used its lowcorporate tax rates to draw many companies and became one of the wealthiest countries in the world.
Liechtenstein has a somewhat enigmatic political system, which combines elements ofabsolute monarchy,representative democracy, anddirect democracy. Themonarch retains extensive executive and legislative powers, and plays a strong active role in the day to day politics of the country, and over all threebranches of government—the only European monarch to have retained such a role. Representative democracy and direct democracy coexist in that an elected parliament enactslegislation, and voters can propose and enact laws and constitutional amendments independently of the legislature.[50] However, as with laws passed by the legislature, these can be vetoed by the monarch.
The reigning Prince is the head of state and represents Liechtenstein in its international relations (although Switzerland has taken responsibility for much of Liechtenstein's diplomatic relations).[51]
The currentConstitution of Liechtenstein wasadopted in March 2003, amending the 1921 constitution, giving the prince extensive veto powers, and the ability to dismiss the government and rule by emergency decree, and maintaining the prince's active role in the legislative process. TheBBC characterizes Liechtenstein post-2003 as "in effect" an "absolute monarchy".[52] Just prior to the referendum, theVenice commission of theCouncil of Europe published a comprehensive report analysing the amendments, opining that they were not compatible with the European standard of democracy.[53]
Legislative authority is vested in the unicameralLandtag, made up of 25 members elected for maximum four-year terms according to a proportional representation formula. Fifteen members are elected from theOberland (Upper Country or region) and ten from theUnterland (Lower Country or region).[54] Parties must receive at least 8% of the national vote to win seats in parliament, i.e., enough for two seats in the 25-seat legislature. Parliament proposes and approves a government, which the Prince formally appoints. Parliament may also pass votes of no confidence in the entire government or individual members.
Thegovernment comprises the head of government (prime minister) and four government councillors (ministers), who are appointed by the Prince upon the proposal of parliament and with its concurrence, and reflect the balance of parties in parliament. The constitution stipulates that at least two government members be chosen from each of the two regions.[55] The members of the government are collectively and individually responsible to parliament; parliament may ask the Prince to remove an individual minister or the entire government, or the Prince may do so unilaterally.
Parliament elects from among its members a "Landesausschuss" (National Committee) made up of the president of the parliament and four additional members. The National Committee is charged with performing functions of parliamentary supervision. Parliament shares the authority to propose new legislation with the Prince, and with the citizenry, as both parliament and the citizenry may initiate referendums.[56]
Judicial authority is vested in the Regional Court at Vaduz, the Princely High Court of Appeal at Vaduz, the Princely Supreme Court, the Administrative Court, and the State Court. The State Court rules on the conformity of laws with the constitution and has five members elected by parliament.[citation needed]
The principality is largelyconservative. On 1 July 1984, Liechtenstein became the last country inEurope to grant women the right to vote, following three previous referendums which rejected it in1968,1971 and1973. Thereferendum on women's suffrage that year, in which only men were allowed to participate, narrowly passed with 51.3% in favour.[57]
In 2024, Liechtenstein passedsame-sex marriage legislation, which entered into force in 2025.[58][59][60]Abortion remains criminalised within Liechtenstein.
Maltese consulate inSchaanLiechtenstein's Embassy in Vienna, AustriaBuilding hosting Liechtenstein's Embassy in Washington, D.C.Representatives of the Principality of Liechtenstein and the United States of America make an agreement to share knowledge in the Field of Apprenticeship Training, 2024.
In the absence of political or military power, Liechtenstein has sought to preserve itssovereignty over the past 300 years through membership in legal communities.International cooperation and European integration are therefore constants of Liechtenstein's foreign policy, aimed at continuing to safeguard the country's sovereignty as recognized under international law. Decisive for the domestic legitimacy and sustainability of this foreign policy were and are strong direct-democratic and citizen-oriented decision-making mechanisms, which are anchored in Liechtenstein in the Constitution of 1921.
Important historical stages in Liechtenstein's integration and cooperation policy were its accession to theConfederation of the Rhine in 1806,[61] to the German Confederation in 1815,[62] the conclusion of bilateral customs and currency agreements with theHabsburg monarchy in 1852, and finally the Customs Treaty with Switzerland in 1923, which was followed by a range of other important bilateral treaties.
Post-war economic reconstruction was followed by accession to the Statute of theInternational Court of Justice in 1950, Liechtenstein signed the CSCE Helsinki Final Act (today's OSCE) together with 34 other states in 1975, Liechtenstein joined theCouncil of Europe in 1978,[63] and Liechtenstein was admitted to the United Nations (UN) on September 18, 1990.[64] In 1991, Liechtenstein joined the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) as a full member, and since 1995 Liechtenstein has been a member of theEuropean Economic Area (EEA) and theWorld Trade Organization (WTO).[65]
In 2008, Liechtenstein joined the Schengen/Dublin Agreement together with Switzerland. From an economic and integration policy perspective, relations within the framework of the EEA and the EU occupy a special position in Liechtenstein's foreign policy. The Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein also participates in the annualmeetings of the heads of state of the German-speaking countries (consisting of EU and non-EU members).[66]
Relations with Switzerland are particularly extensive because of the close cooperation in many areas; Switzerland performs tasks in some places that would be difficult for thePrincipality to handle on its own because of its small size. Since 2000, Switzerland has appointed an ambassador to Liechtenstein, but he resides in Bern. Liechtenstein's consular representation has been mostly handled by Switzerland since theCustoms Treaty with Switzerland of 1923.
Liechtenstein maintains direct diplomatic missions inVienna, Bern, Berlin, Brussels, Strasbourg, andWashington, D.C., as well as Permanent Missions in New York and Geneva to theUnited Nations.[67] Currently, diplomatic missions from 78 countries are accredited to Liechtenstein, but mostly reside in Bern. TheEmbassy in Brussels coordinates contacts with the European Union, Belgium, and also theHoly See.
For a long time,diplomatic relations with Germany were maintained through a non-resident ambassador; that is, a contact person who was not permanently resident in Germany. Since 2002, however, Liechtenstein has had a permanentambassador in Berlin, while the German embassy in Switzerland is also responsible for the Principality. Liechtenstein's Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers the contacts to be extremely fruitful and important for the country's development, especially on the economic level.
Conflicts over the handling ofbanking and tax data have repeatedly strained relations with Germany.[68] On 2 September 2009, Liechtenstein and Germany signed an agreement on cooperation and the exchange of information in tax matters. The text of the agreement followed the OECD model agreement and provides for an exchange of information on tax matters upon request as of the 2010 tax year. In addition, Liechtenstein regards Germany as an important partner in safeguarding its interests in European integration. At the cultural level, project sponsorship plays a particularly important role. For example, the Hilti Foundation financed the exhibition "Egypt's Sunken Treasures" in Berlin, and the state donated 20,000 euros following the fire at the Duchess Anna Amalia Library inWeimar.
Liechtenstein is a member of theForum of Small States, a group founded in 1992 by Singapore currently containing 108 nations that have fewer than ten million inhabitants at the time of joining.[69]
Topgraphic map of Liechtenstein in GermanTheRhine: border between Liechtenstein and Switzerland (view towards theSwiss Alps)
Liechtenstein is situated in the UpperRhine valley of the EuropeanAlps and is bordered to the east by the Austrian state ofVorarlberg, to the south by thecanton of Grisons (Switzerland) and to the west by thecanton 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. In 1943, aninland canal was built in the country connecting to the Rhine.[72]
Its highest point,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. Newsurveys using more accurate measurements of the country's borders in 2006 have set its area at 160 km2 (62 sq mi), with borders of 77.9 km (48.4 mi).[73] Liechtenstein's borders are 1.9 km (1.2 mi) longer than previously thought.[74]
Liechtenstein is one of the world's twodoubly landlocked countries[75] – countries wholly surrounded by other landlocked countries (the other isUzbekistan). Liechtenstein is thesixth-smallest sovereign state in the world by area.
Despite itsalpine location, the prevailing southerly winds temper Liechtenstein's climate. Its climate is continental, with cloudy and cold winters, with frequent rain and snowfall. Summers are cool to slightly warm, cloudy, and humid.[citation needed]
The country's climate is relatively mild despite its mountainous location. It is strongly influenced by the action offoehn (warm and dry autumn wind), so the vegetation period is prolonged in spring and autumn and temperatures around 15 °C (59 °F) due to the strong foehn are not uncommon even in winter. The mountain ranges ofSwitzerland and the Vorarlberg upstream protect from the cold polar and Atlantic air, creating a typical alpine inland protective layer. The principality has orchards with leafy meadows and a long tradition ofviticulture. Liechtenstein's small land area hardly plays a role in climatic differences, but the vertical division into different altitudes is of great importance, so that significant climatic differences arise.[citation needed]
Inwinter the temperature rarely drops below −15 °C (5 °F), while in summer the average temperatures range between 20 and 28 °C (68 and 82 °F). Annual precipitation measurements amount to an average of about 900 to 1,200 millimetres (35 to 47 in), in the direct alpine region, however,precipitation is often up to 1,900 mm (75 in). The average duration of sunshine is about 1600 hours per year.
TheRhine is the longest and largestbody of water in Liechtenstein. With a length of approximately 27 kilometres (17 mi), it represents thenatural border withSwitzerland and is of great importance for Liechtenstein's water supply. Furthermore, the Rhine is an important recreational area for the population.
At 10 kilometres (6 mi), theSamina is the second-longest river in the Principality. Thiswhitewater river begins atTriesenberg and flows into theIll in Austria (nearFeldkirch).
The only naturally-formed lake in Liechtenstein is theGampriner Seelein, which was not formed until 1927 by aflooding of the Rhine with enormous erosion. In addition, there are other artificially-createdlakes, which are mainly used to generateelectricity. One of them is the Steg Reservoir, the largest lake in Liechtenstein.
About half of Liechtenstein's territory is mountainous.[79] Liechtenstein lies entirely in theRhaetikon and is thus – depending on the classification of the Alps – assigned either to theEastern Alps (two-part division of the Alps) or to the Central Alps (three-part division of the Alps).
The highest point of Liechtenstein is the Vordere Grauspitz (Vordergrauspitz) with an altitude of 2,599 m (8,527 ft) above sea level, while the lowest point is theRuggeller Riet with an altitude of 430 metres (1,410 ft) above sea level.
In total, there are 32 mountains in Liechtenstein with an altitude of at least 2,000 metres (6,600 ft). The Falknishorn, at 2,452 metres (8,045 ft) above sea level, is the fifth highest mountain in Liechtenstein and represents the southernmost point of the country. The Liechtenstein-Graubünden-Vorarlberg border triangle is theNaafkopf (2,570 m (8,430 ft) above sea level).[79]
In addition to the peaks of the Alpine chain,[80] which belong to the Limestone Alps, twoinselbergs, Fläscherberg (1,135 m or 3,724 ftabove sea level) in the south andEschnerberg (698 m or 2,290 ft) in the north, rise from the Rhine Valley and belong to the Helvetic cover orflysch zone of the Alps.[81] Eschnerberg represents an important settlement area in the LiechtensteinUnterland.
Looking southward at Vaduz city centreSilver coin: 5 kronen of Liechtenstein, 1904, the front of the coin is a portrait of Johann II
Despite its limited natural resources, Liechtenstein is one of the few countries in the world with more registered companies than citizens; it has developed a prosperous, highly industrialized free-enterprise economy and a financial service sector as well as a living standard that compares favourably with those of the urban areas of Liechtenstein's much larger European neighbours.
The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated Europe. In 2008, the unemployment rate was 1.5%. Liechtenstein has only one hospital, the Liechtensteinisches Landesspital in Vaduz. As of 2014 theCIA World Factbook estimated the gross domestic product (GDP) on apurchasing power parity basis to be $4.978 billion. As of 2021 the estimate per capita was $184,083.[75]
Industries include electronics, textiles, precision instruments, metal manufacturing, power tools, anchor bolts, calculators, pharmaceuticals and food products. Its most recognizable international company and largest employer isHilti, a manufacturer ofdirect fastening systems and other high-end power tools. Many cultivated fields and small farms are found both in theOberland andUnterland. Liechtenstein produces wheat, barley, corn, potatoes, dairy products, livestock andwine.
The government of Liechtenstein taxes personal income, business income and principal (wealth). The basic rate ofpersonal income tax is 1.2%. When combined with the additional income tax imposed by the communes, the combined income tax rate is 17.82%.[82] An additional income tax of 4.3% is levied on all employees under the country'ssocial security programme. This rate is higher for the self-employed, up to a maximum of 11%, making the maximum income tax rate about 29% in total. The basictax rate on wealth is 0.06% per annum, and the combined total rate is 0.89%. The tax rate on corporate profits is 12.5%.[75]
Liechtenstein'sgift andestate taxes vary depending on the relationship the recipient has to the giver and the amount of the inheritance. The tax ranges between 0.5% and 0.75% for spouses and children and 18% to 27% for non-related recipients. The estate tax is progressive.
Liechtenstein has previously received significant revenues fromStiftungen ("foundations"), financial entities created to hide the true owner of nonresident foreigners' financial holdings. The foundation is registered in the name of a Liechtensteiner, often a lawyer. This set of laws used to make Liechtenstein a populartax haven for extremely wealthy individuals and businesses attempting to avoid or evade taxes in their home countries.[83]
In recent years, Liechtenstein has displayed stronger determination to prosecute international money launderers and worked to promote an image as a legitimate finance centre. In February 2008, the country'sLGT Bank was implicated in atax-fraud scandal in Germany, which strained the ruling family's relationship with the German government. Crown Prince Alois has accused the German government of trafficking in stolen goods, referring to its $7.3 million purchase of private banking information offered by a former employee of LGT Group.[84][85] TheUnited States Senate's subcommittee on tax haven banks said that the LGT bank, owned by the princely family, and on whose board they serve, "is a willing partner, and an aider and abettor to clients trying to evade taxes, dodge creditors or defy court orders".[86]
The2008 Liechtenstein tax affair is a series of tax investigations in numerous countries whose governments suspect that some of their citizens have evaded tax obligations by using banks and trusts in Liechtenstein; the affair broke open with the biggest complex of investigations ever initiated for tax evasion in Germany.[87] It was also seen as an attempt to put pressure on Liechtenstein, then one of the remaininguncooperative tax havens—along withAndorra andMonaco—as identified by the Paris-basedOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in 2007.[88] On 27 May 2009 the OECD removed Liechtenstein from the blacklist of uncooperative countries.[89]
In August 2009, the British government departmentHM Revenue & Customs agreed with Liechtenstein to start exchanging information. It is believed that up to 5,000 British investors have roughly £3 billion deposited in accounts and trusts in the country.[90]
In October 2015, the European Union and Liechtenstein signed a tax agreement to ensure the automatic exchange of financial information in case of tax disputes. The collection of data started in 2016. It is another step to bring the principality in line with other European countries regarding its taxation of private individuals and corporate assets.[91]
Tourism accounts for a large portion of Liechtenstein's economy.[citation needed]In 2021, there were nearly 80 000 tourists and over the preceding twelve years the number of tourists ranged between about 60 to 100 thousand people per year.[92]
Liechtensteiners have an average life expectancy at birth of 82.0 years, subdividing as male: 79.8 years, female: 84.8 years (2018 est.). The infant mortality rate is 4.2 per 1,000 live births, according to 2018 estimates.
The official language is German, spoken by 92% of the population as their main language in 2020. 73% of Liechtenstein's population speak anAlemannicdialect of German at home that is highly divergent fromStandard German but closely related to dialects spoken in neighbouring regions such as Switzerland andVorarlberg, Austria.[95] InTriesenberg, aWalser German dialect promoted by the municipality is spoken.Swiss Standard German is also understood and spoken by most Liechtensteiners.
Liechtenstein offers protection to adherents of all religions, and considers the "religious interests of the people" a priority of the government.[96] In Liechtenstein's schools, although exceptions are allowed, religious education in Catholicism orProtestantism (eitherLutheran orCalvinist, or both) is legally required.[97]Tax exemption is granted by the government to religious organizations.[97] According to thePew Research Center, social conflict caused by religious hostilities is low in Liechtenstein, and so is government restriction on the practice of religion.[98]
There are about 250 kilometres (155 mi) of paved roadway within Liechtenstein, with 90 km (56 mi) of marked bicycle paths.
Liechtenstein Bus is a subsidiary of theSwiss Postbus system, but separately run, and connects to the Swiss bus andtrain network atBuchs andSargans, respectively.[105] Holders of a Swiss Travel Pass (non-residents of Switzerland or Liechtenstein only) can travel for free on Liechtenstein's buses.[106]
Liechtenstein is nominally within theOstwindtransit district, which also includes northeastern Switzerland.[109]Railjet andEuroCity long-distance trains do not call at stations in Liechtenstein.
As a result of its small size, Liechtenstein has been strongly affected by external cultural influences, most notably those originating in the southern regions of German-speaking Europe, including Austria, Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Switzerland, and specificallyTirol and Vorarlberg.[citation needed]
The largest[citation needed] museum is theKunstmuseum Liechtenstein, an international museum of modern and contemporary art with an international art collection. The building by the Swiss architects Morger, Degelo, and Kerez is a landmark in Vaduz. It was completed in November 2000 and forms a "black box" of tinted concrete and black basalt stone. The museum collection is also the national art collection of Liechtenstein.[112]
The Historical Society of the Principality of Liechtenstein and theLiechtenstein National Museum (Liechtensteinisches Landesmuseum) also play a role in preserving the culture and history of the country.[113][114] The National Museum shows permanent exhibitions on the cultural and natural history of Liechtenstein as well as special exhibitions. There is also a stamp museum, ski museum, and a 500-year-old Rural Lifestyle Museum.[115]
The Private Art Collection of the Prince of Liechtenstein, one of the world's leading private art collections, is shown at theLiechtenstein Museum in Vienna.[119]
On the country's national holiday, all subjects are invited to the castle of the head of state. A significant portion of the population attends the national celebration at the castle where speeches are made and complimentary beer is served.[120]
Music and theatre are important parts of the culture. There are numerous music organizations such as the Liechtenstein Musical Company, the annual Guitar Days, and the InternationalJosef Gabriel Rheinberger Society, which play in two main theatres.[citation needed]
There are two conventional television channels in the country. The private channel1FLTV was created in 2008 with a goal of joining theEuropean Broadcasting Union, which it did not accomplish and has since abandoned. TheLandeskanal (de) ("National Channel") is operated by the government's Unit for Information and Communication and carries government proceedings,public affairs programming, and cultural events. Both are seen on local cable providers, along with all major channels from the other German-speaking countries. Since Switzerland shut off itsdigital terrestrial television network in 2019, the only free television signals available are German and Austrian channels from the Sender Pfänder (de) inBregenz.
Radio Liechtenstein, which was established in 2004 along with the public-service broadcasterLiechtensteinischer Rundfunk (LRF) that operates it, is the country's only domestic radio station based in Triesen. Radio Liechtenstein and several programs of SRF are broadcast from the Sender Erbi (de) overlooking Vaduz. Liechtenstein also has one major newspaper:Liechtensteiner Vaterland.
Amateur radio is a hobby of some nationals and visitors. However, unlike virtually every other sovereign nation, Liechtenstein does not have its ownITU prefix. Conventionally, amateurs are issued call signs with the Swiss prefix "HB", followed by "0" or "L".
In the qualification stage of the European Championship 2008, Liechtenstein beat Latvia 1–0, which prompted the Latvian coach's resignation. They went on to beat Iceland 3–0 on 17 October 2007, which is considered one of the most dramatic losses of the Icelandic national football team. On 7 September 2010, they came within seconds of a 1–1 draw againstScotland in Glasgow, having led 1–0 earlier in the second half, but Liechtenstein lost 2–1 thanks to a goal byStephen McManus in the 97th minute. On 3 June 2011, Liechtenstein defeatedLithuania 2–0. On 15 November 2014, Liechtenstein defeatedMoldova 0–1 withFranz Burgmeier's late free kick goal inChișinău.
As analpine country, the main sporting opportunity for Liechtensteiners to excel is in winter sports such asdownhill skiing: the country's single ski area isMalbun.Hanni Wenzel won two gold medals and one silver medal in the 1980Winter Olympics (she won bronze in 1976), her brotherAndreas won one silver medal in 1980 and one bronze medal in 1984 in thegiant slalom event, and her daughterTina Weirather won a bronze medal in 2018 in theSuper-G. With ten medals overall (all in alpine skiing), Liechtenstein has won more Olympic medals per capita than any other nation.[122] It is the smallest country to win a medal in any Olympics, Winter or Summer, and currently the only country to win a medal in the Winter Games but not in the Summer Games. Other notable skiers from Liechtenstein areMarco Büchel,Willi Frommelt,Paul Frommelt andUrsula Konzett.
In March 2020, the distance world record for electric motorcycles was set in Liechtenstein. ArtistMichel von Tell drove over 1,000 miles within 24 hours on the first electricHarley-Davidson. The Record is still current in 2023 and ended inRuggell. The Event became global media attention.[129][130][131]
TheLiechtenstein National Police is responsible for keeping order within the country. It consists of 87 field officers and 38 civilian staff, totaling 125 employees. All officers are equipped withsmall arms. The country has one of the world's lowestcrime rates. Liechtenstein's prison holds few, if any, inmates, and those with sentences over two years are transferred toAustrian jurisdiction.[132] The Liechtenstein National Police maintains a trilateral treaty with Austria and Switzerland that enables close cross-border cooperation among the police forces of the three countries.[133]
Liechtenstein follows a policy ofneutrality and is one of the fewcountries in the world that maintain no military although its police force maintains a paramilitary force, the Princely Liechtenstein Security Corps, within the organisation that might act as itsde facto army if an invasion of Liechtenstein ever occurred. The corps provides heavy backup for the National Police as well as Honor Guards at the Royal Palace and official functions. However, Liechtenstein can reinstate its military if deemed necessary.
The army was abolished for financial reasons soon after theAustro-Prussian War of 1866, in which Liechtenstein fielded an army of 80 men, although they were not involved in any fighting.[134][135] No casualties were incurred; in fact, the unit numbered 81 upon return due to an Italian military liaison who accompanied the army back home.[136] The demise of theGerman Confederation in that war freed Liechtenstein from its international obligation to maintain an army, and parliament seized this opportunity and refused to provide funding for one. The Prince objected, as such a move would leave the country defenceless, but relented on 12 February 1868 and disbanded the force.[135] The last soldier to serve under the colours of Liechtenstein,Andreas Kieber, died in 1939 at age 95.[137]
In 1985, the Swiss Army fired off shells during an exercise and mistakenly burned a patch of forest inside Liechtenstein. The incident was said to have been resolved "over a case of white wine".[120] In March 2007, a 170-man Swiss infantry unit got lost during a training exercise and inadvertently crossed 1.5 km (0.9 miles) into Liechtenstein. The accidental invasion ended when the unit realized their mistake and turned back.[138] The Swiss Army later informed Liechtenstein of the incursion and offered official apologies,[139] to which an internal ministry spokesperson responded, "No problem, these things happen."[140]
^World Development Indicators,World Bank. Retrieved 1 July 2012. Note: "PPP conversion factor, GDP (LCU per international $)" and "Official exchange rate (LCU per US$, period average)" for Switzerland were used.
^Klieger, P. Christiaan (29 November 2012). "Principality of Liechtenstein".The Microstates of Europe: Designer Nations in a Post-Modern World. Anthropology, political science. Lanham, Maryland: Lexington Books (published 2012). p. 41.ISBN978-0-7391-7427-2. Retrieved27 January 2021.In 1300, the Walsers, a mountain-dwelling Alemannic speaking group from Valais in Switzerland, entered and inhabited the modern eastern Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Vorarlberg, Austria. The mountain village of Triesenberg is a modern preserve of the Walser people and their dialect.
^Eccardt, Thomas (2005).Secrets of the Seven Smallest States of Europe. Hippocrene Books. p. 176.ISBN978-0-7818-1032-6.
^Der westliche Rätikon wird nur aus orographisch-systematischen Gründen zu den zentralen Ostalpen gerechnet, weil er südlich der Ill–Arlberg-Furche liegt.
^ab"Weiterführende Schulen SchaanArchived 18 May 2016 at the Portuguese Web Archive." Commune of Schaan. Retrieved 12 May 2016. "Realschule Schaan Duxgass 55 9494 Schaan" and "Sportschule Liechtenstein Duxgass 55 9494 Schaan" and "Realschule Vaduz Schulzentrum Mühleholz II 9490 Vaduz" and "Oberschule Vaduz Schulzentrum Mühleholz II 9490 Vaduz"
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