Liechtenstein Travel Guide - Facts on Liechtenstein

		Liechtenstein
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	Liechtenstein Travel Guide: Facts on Liechtenstein
History Geography People Economy Communications Transportation
Map of Liechtenstein and its major cities

History		Top of Page
	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. However, shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight have resulted in concerns about the use of the financial institutions for money laundering. However, Liechtenstein implemented anti-money-laundering legislation over the past several years and a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the US went into effect in 2003.
Geography		Top of Page
Location	Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland
Geographic Coordinates	47 16 N, 9 32 E
Area	Total: 160.5 sq km Water: 0 sq km Land: 160 sq km
Area - Comparative	About 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC
Land Boundaries	Total: 77.9 km Border countries: Austria , Switzerland
Coastline	0 km (landlocked)
Climate	Continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers
Terrain	Mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third
Elevation Extremes	Lowest point: Ruggeller Riet 430 m Highest point: Grauspitz 2,599 m
Natural Resources	Hydroelectric potential, arable land
Geography Note	Along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation
Natural hazards	NA
People		Top of Page
Population	33,987 (July 2006 est.)
Age Structure	0-14 years: 17.4% (male 2,922; female2,988) 15-64 years: 70.2% (male 11,842; female 12,022) 65 years and over: 12.4% (male 1,733; female 2,440) (2006 est.)
Nationality	Noun: Liechtensteiner(s) Adjective: Liechtenstein
Ethnic Groups	Alemannic 86%, Italian, Turkish, and other 14%
Religions	Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 7%, unknown 10.6%, other 6.2% (June 2002)
Language	German (official), Alemannic dialect
Literacy	Definition: age 10 and over can read and write Total population: 100%

Government		Top of Page
Country Name	Conventional long form: Principality of Liechtenstein Conventional short form: Liechtenstein Local short form: Liechtenstein Local long form: Fuerstentum Liechtenstein
Government Type	Hereditary constitutional monarchy on a democratic and parliamentary basis
Capital	Vaduz
Administrative Divisions	11 communes (Gemeinden, singular - Gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz
Independence	23 January 1719 Imperial Principality of Liechtenstein established; 12 July 1806 established independence from the Holy Roman Empire
Flag Description	Two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band
Economy		Top of Page
Overview	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.
Currency	Swiss franc
Currency Code	CHF
Communications		Top of Page
Telephone System	General assessment: automatic telephone system
Internet Country Code	.li
Transportation		Top of Page
Railways	9 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified)
Highways	Paved: 380 km
Waterways	28 km
Ports and Harbors	None
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Facts on Liechtenstein