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. For culture and traditions of Liechtenstein, please check aparentingblog.
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.
