Profile
Background and figures as recorded in the CIA World Factbook.
The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719. Occupied by both French and Russian troops during the Napoleonic Wars, it became a sovereign state in 1806 and joined the German Confederation in 1815. Liechtenstein became fully independent in 1866 when the Confederation dissolved. 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.
- Capital
- Vaduz
- Government
- constitutional monarchy
- Population
- 40,547
- Area
- 160 sq km
- Location
- Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland
- Climate
- continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers
- Natural resources
- hydroelectric potential; arable land
- Languages
- German 91.5% (official; Alemannic is the main dialect); Italian 1.5%; Turkish 1.3%…
- Religions
- Roman Catholic (official) 73.4%; Protestant Reformed 6.3%; Muslim 5.9%; Christian Orthodox 1.3%…
- Independence
- 23 January 1719 (Principality of Liechtenstein established);
- Administrative divisions
- 11 communes (Gemeinden, singular - Gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg,…
- Currency
- Swiss francs (CHF)
Source: CIA World Factbook — a work of the US government, in the public domain