Liechtenstein
OFFICIAL NAME: Principality of Liechtenstein
CAPITAL CITY: Vaduz
POPULATION: 34,000 (2007)
AREA: 160 km²
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE (S): German, Alemannic (German dialect)
RELIGION: Catholics 80%, Protestants 7%, unknown 9%, others 4%
COIN: Swiss franc
CURRENCY CODE: CHF
ENGLISH NAME: Liechtenstein
POPULATION COMPOSITION: Liechtensteiners (descendants of Alemannians) 62%, Swiss 15%, Austrians 7%,
Germans 3%, Italians 3%, others 10%
GDP PER residents: $ 25,100 (2007)
LIFE EXPECTANCY: men 76 years, women 83 years (2005)
INDEX OF LIVING CONDITIONS, HDI: -
INDEX OF LIVING CONDITIONS, POSITION: -
INTERNET DOMAIN NAME: .li
Liechtenstein, principality of the Alps between Switzerland and Austria,
stretching 25 km in length and 12 km in width. The country is known for its
production of stamps and its very lenient tax policy.
National flag
The flag was officially adopted in 1957. Blue and red are already known in
the 1800's. as the country's national colors, which in 1921 was confirmed in the
Constitution. The origin of the colors is unknown, but they may be derived from
princely livery colors. In 1937, the crown was added, a princely crown that
symbolizes the unity between people, prince and nation. The blue color stands
for the sky, the red for the glow of the evening fire.
Geography
Liechtenstein consists of a western part, which includes the valley of the
Rhine, and an eastern Alpine area with mountain ridges of over 2000 m separated
by high-lying valleys. The highest point is Grauspitz (2599 m), which is part of
the mountain group Rätikon. The climate is mild with average temperatures in
January of −1 °C and in July of 21 °C. The weather is sometimes strongly
influenced by dry winds coming from the south. 25% of the area is cultivated,
38% is pastures and meadows, and approximately 20% is covered by forest.
Of the country's 11 municipalities (Gemeinden), eight are located
in the Rhine Valley. Here, too, most of the agricultural production takes place
with maize, potatoes, barley, wheat and vegetables as important crops; cattle
breeding takes place on the alpine pastures in summer. Less than 2% are employed
in agriculture and forestry.
Since World War II, Liechtenstein has developed from an agricultural society
to a highly industrialized country with a good economy mainly based on light
industry and tourism. Over half of the workforce is engaged in manufacturing and
trade.
Important industrial products are electronics and metal products, precision
instruments, textiles, ceramics, food and pharmaceuticals. The production of
stamps is of great economic importance. The workforce counts approximately 29,000, of
which 13,900 are foreigners, many of whom commute daily from Germany,
Switzerland and Austria. A low level of taxation as well as relaxed rules for
company creation have led to more than 25,000 companies from all over the world
having a business address in Liechtenstein. The country is in currency and
customs union with Switzerland, which also handles Liechtenstein's foreign
policy. It became a member of the Council of Europe in 1978, of the UN in
1990, of EFTA in 1991 and of the EEA and WTO in 1995., which has had important
implications for the country as a financial center.
Language
Official language and written language are standard German, while the
vernacular is an Alemannic dialect; see German. French is the first foreign
language.
- Countryaah:
Do you know how many people there are in
Liechtenstein? Check this site to see population pyramid and resident
density about this country.
Constitution
Liechtenstein is a constitutionally hereditary monarchy on the male
side. According to the constitution, which is from 1921 with amendments 1969 and
1984, the ruling prince is responsible for foreign policy and shares the
legislative power with the 25 members of the one-chamber parliament, Landtag. They
are elected every four years by general election according to the
proportionality method by all citizens over the age of 20; women were given the
right to vote in 1986. At the suggestion of the Reichstag, the prince appoints a
prime minister and four other members of the government for a four-year
term. The prince can convene and dissolve the Reichstag. There is a legislative
initiative, as any group of 1000 people or three municipalities can submit
bills. Laws passed by the Reichstag can be sent to a referendum.
Education
The school system is characterized by the limited population, as there are
less than 2000 pupils in primary school (1995-96). The two-year preschool is
voluntary. The compulsory schooling for 7-16-year-olds includes a five-year
primary school followed by a four-year secondary school or general vocational
preparation superstructure as well as a voluntary tenth school year. Upper
secondary school can be started after primary school and is then eight years
old, but admission can also take place after high school. The vocational
educations are apprenticeships with theory teaching in Switzerland. There is no
university and higher education is offered in neighboring countries, especially
Switzerland. Tuition is free at all levels.
History
In Roman times, the area was part of the province of Raetia and during the
migration period influenced by Alemannic culture.
The present Liechtenstein was formed when the two imperialist areas
Schellenberg and Vaduz, which constituted respectively. the northern and the
southern part of the country, in 1719 by Emperor Charles VI was merged under one
ruler. The Liechtenstein family had bought Schellenberg in 1699 and Vaduz in
1712; the new principality was named after the genus known from the 1100's.
Liechtenstein was 1806-14 a member of the Rhine League, 1815-66 a member
of the German Confederation and thereafter became a sovereign state; 1852-1919
in customs union with Austria. The army was abolished in 1868.
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