Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein (lĭkh`tənshtīn'), officially Principality of Liechtenstein, principality (2005 est. pop. 33,700), 62 sq mi (160 sq km), W central Europe. It is situated in the Alps between Austria and Switzerland and is bounded in the west by the Rhine River. Vaduz is the capital.

Land, People, Economy, and Government

The country is mainly mountainous, with the Rhine valley in its western third. The population is largely Roman Catholic, with a Protestant minority. German is the national language; a High German dialect is also spoken. There is a large component of foreign workers.

Traditionally agricultural, Liechtenstein has been increasingly industrialized, with industry now employing over half of the workforce. Most of the rest of the labor force works in the service sector. Only a small fraction of the population still engages in agriculture (dairying and the raising of livestock and cereals). The leading manufactured products are machinery and other metal goods, pharmaceuticals, optical lenses, electronic equipment, textiles, ceramics, and consumer goods. A large part of the production is exported. Tourism is an increasingly important industry. Much revenue is derived from the minimal taxes imposed on international corporations, which, because of the low taxes, are headquartered there. The stable political environment and the secrecy of its financial institutions contribute to its reputation as a banking center and tax haven. Liechtenstein is a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

The ruling prince is Hans-Adam II. A constitution has been in effect since 1921. Members of the 25-seat unicameral parliament (Landtag) are elected by popular vote for four-year terms. Liechtenstein uses Swiss currency and is represented abroad through Switzerland. The country has no army and only a small police force. Liechtenstein is divided into 11 communes.

History

The Liechtenstein ruling house is an old Austrian family. The principality was created in 1719 by uniting the county of Vaduz with the barony of Schellenburg. The princes, vassals of the Holy Roman emperors, also owned huge estates (many times larger than their principality) in Austria and adjacent territories; they rarely visited their country but were active in the service of the Hapsburg monarchy. Liechtenstein became independent in 1866, after having been a member of the German Confederation from 1815 to 1866.

The principality escaped the major upheavals of the 19th and 20th cent. Prince Hans Adam II succeeded to the throne in 1989 after the death of his father, Francis Joseph II, and has had a number of conflicts with the parliament due to his attempts to have a significant role in running the government, particularly its economic policy. In 2003 voters approved a number of constitutional amendments that the prince had demanded, including giving him the right to dismiss the government and approve judicial nominees.

Bibliography

See P. Raton, Liechtenstein: History and Institutions of the Principality (1970); T. A. Larke, Index and Thesaurus of Liechtenstein (1984).

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Liechtenstein

 officially Principality of Liechtenstein

Principality, western Europe. It is located between Switzerland and Austria. Area: 62 sq mi (160 sq km). Population (2005 est.): 34,800. Capital: Vaduz. The Liechtensteiners are descended from the Alemanni tribe that came into the region after AD 500. Languages: German (official), Alemanni dialect, Walser dialect. Religions: Christianity (predominantly Roman Catholic; also Protestant); also Islam. Currency: Swiss franc. The eastern two-thirds of Liechtenstein's small territory is composed of the foothills of the Rhätikon Massif, part of the central Alps. The western section of the country is occupied by the Rhine River floodplain. Liechtenstein has no natural resources of commercial value, and virtually all raw materials, including wood, have to be imported. Manufacturing includes metalworking, pharmaceuticals, optical lenses, electronics, and food processing. A tourist centre, Liechtenstein is also a centre of banking because of its stable political situation and its absolute bank secrecy. It is a constitutional monarchy with one legislative house; its chief of state is the prince, and the head of government is the prime minister. The Rhine plain was occupied for centuries by two independent lordships of the Holy Roman Empire, Vaduz and Schellenberg. The principality of Liechtenstein, consisting of these two lordships, was founded in 1719 and remained part of the Holy Roman Empire. It was included in the German Confederation (1815–66). In 1866 it became independent, recognizing Vaduz and Schellenberg as unique regions forming separate electoral districts. In 1921 it adopted Swiss currency, and in 1923 it joined the Swiss customs union. A coalition that ruled Liechtenstein for almost 60 years dissolved in 1997. Into the early 21st century Prince Hans Adam II continued his long-standing battle for constitutional changes that would increase his powers.

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Liechtenstein

a small mountainous principality in central Europe on the Rhine: formed in 1719 by the uniting of the lordships of Schellenburg and Vaduz, which had been purchased by the Austrian family of Liechtenstein; customs union formed with Switzerland in 1924. Official language: German. Religion: Roman Catholic majority. Currency: Swiss franc. Capital: Vaduz. Pop.: 34 000 (2003 est.). Area: 160 sq. km (62 sq. miles)

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Liechtenstein

central European principality, comprising 65 square miles. [Eur. Hist.: NCE, 1578]

See : Smallness