When did Liechtenstein become a country?
- The Principality of Liechtenstein first gained Political identity in 814, with the formation of the sub country of Lower Rhætia (Rhaetia was formerly a Roman province). The area was incorporated into the Carolingian empire, and divided into countships, which became subdivided over the generations.
- The Principality takes its name from the Liechtenstein family, rather than vice versa, and the family in turn takes its name from Liechtenstein Castle in Lower Austria, which it owned from at least 1140 until the 13th century and from 1807 onwards. Over the centuries, the family acquired huge landed estates, mostly in Moravia, Lower Austria and Styria
- In 1434, the country took on its present form with the Rhine establishing the border between the Holy Roman Empire (of which it was a part) and the Swiss cantons.
- The Imperial Principality of Liechtenstein was established on 23 January 1719 ; on 12 July 1806 it established independence from the Holy Roman Empire
- Liechtenstein did not participate in World War I, claiming neutrality. However, until the end of the war, Liechtenstein was closely tied to Austria. In response, the Allied Powers imposed an economic embargo on the principality. The economic devastation forced the country to conclude a customs and monetary union with Switzerland.
Is Liechtenstein a Rich Country?
- Despite the fact that is entirely mountainous Liechtenstein is one of the most heavily industrialised countries in the world, has one of the highest per capita GDPs in the world, and is one of only five countries which have no government debt.
- The number of businesses registered in this tiny tax haven is double the number of residents, which is 37,000
- The crime rate is so low that the average Liechtenstein resident reportedly doesn’t even lock their front door. Its prison is built to hold 20 – currently half of that space is in occupation
Is Liechtenstein in the EU?
Liechtenstein is not in the EU, but it is the only microstate (not counting Iceland by population) that is part of the EEA, as it joined the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in 1991 (previously, it had participated in EFTA through Switzerland's membership). All EFTA states bar Switzerland are in the EEA, which gives them access to the EU single market. It also obliges Liechtenstein to apply European Union laws considered EEA-relevant. As of June 2016, around 5,000 of 23,000 EU legal acts in total were in force in the EEA.
Switzerland safeguards Liechtenstein's interests and citizens abroad, since this was agreed in 1919. The two countries form a common economic and monetary area. Liechtenstein has used the Swiss franc since 1920, and the two countries have formed a customs union since 1924 and have open borders. Both are now also parties to the Schengen Agreement. Swiss consular protection is extended to citizens of Liechtenstein. Switzerland represents Liechtenstein abroad unless they choose otherwise
Liechtenstein - Snippets of Information
- Liechtenstein is double landlocked: to reach the sea one must cross at least two borders. The only other doubly landlocked country is Uzbekistan.
- Liechtenstein’s national flag is the same as that of Haiti. No-one realised until the opening ceremony of the 1936 Olympic games. This prompted Liechtenstein to add the crown found in their current flag a year later. They’ve also ‘ borrowed’ their national anthem, using the same melody as the UK’s God Save the Queen.
What is There to See and Do in Liechtenstein?
- Liechtenstein is the only country with 100% of its area in the alpine region, so most activity is walking and sports related. There is a ski resort at Malbun. It is a very, very small country...
- Read Vaduz to see what I did
