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Liechtenstein is an European principality of Central
Europe. Located between Switzerland and Austria, it has
an area of 160 km2. The most important
cities are Vaduz, the capital, with 5200 inhabitants
(2004), and Schaan, with 5800 inhabitants. The climate
is temperate continental. It suffers the action of the
Föhn wind, hot and dry, blowing from the south.
Economy
Liechtenstein does not have natural resources of
commercial value and also does not have heavy
industry. The existing industrial products are optical
lenses, electronic equipment, pharmaceutical products
and food products. The dominant crops are maize,
potatoes, wheat, barley and vegetables.
Environmental indicator: the value of carbon dioxide
emissions, per capita (metric tons, 1999), is
0.8.
Population
The population is estimated at 33 987 inhabitants
(2006), which corresponds to a density of approximately
210.75 inhab./km2. The birth and death rates
are respectively 10.21% and 7.18%. Average life
expectancy is 79.68 years. It is estimated that, in
2025, the population will be 38 000
inhabitants. Liechtenstein's natives make up 62% of the
population, followed by Swiss (16%), Austrians (8%) and
Germans (4%). The most prominent religions are Catholic,
with 80%, and Protestant, with 7%. The official language
is German.
History
Over the centuries the territory of Liechtenstein has
been occupied by two suzerains: that of the Holy Roman
Empire and that of Vaduz and Schellenberg. The
principality of Liechtenstein, founded in 1719, consists
of these two suzerains. Between 1806 and 1815, the
territory was part of the Rhine Confederation and,
between 1815 and 1866, it was part of the German
Confederation. In 1866, Liechtenstein became
independent, but the Vaduz and Schellenberg regions
remain separate electoral districts.
Currently, Liechtenstein is a constitutional monarchy
in which government power derives from the prince and
the population. The succession of the throne is
inherited by the male line and is determined by the
regulations of the Royal House. Only in 1984 did women,
over the age of 20, gain the right to vote in national,
but not local, matters. Although there is a police
force, since 1868 the army has been abolished.
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| 1UpTravel.com - Maps of Liechtenstein |
| Check out the maps of this small central European
country, between Austria and Switzerland. Includes a
political map of Liechtenstein. |
| http://www.1uptravel.com/worldmaps/liechtenstein.html |
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| Lechtenstein - Merriam-Webster Atlas |
| Provides visitors with a user-friendly map of
Lechtenstein, plus country facts, diagrams, an icon of
the national flag and a historical summary. |
| http://www.m-w.com/maps/liechtenstein.html |
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| Liechtenstein - Atlapedia Online |
| View and print two excellent maps of this country, and
read basic facts, learn about the people, and delve into
historical perspectives. |
| http://www.atlapedia.com/online/countries/liechten.htm |
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| Liechtenstein - InfoPlease.com Map |
| Get a close-up view of this small European country with
a high-end color graphical map. Find localities and see
bordering nations. |
| http://www.infoplease.com/atlas/country/liechtenstein.html |
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| Liechtenstein - National Geographic Map Machine |
| View an expandable political and topographical map of
the small nation, and read a short historical and
political overview. |
| http://www.nationalgeographic.com/maps/atlas/europe/liecht.h |
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| Liechtenstein - Travellers Tips |
| Examine the map of this country, and see details about
its weather and currency. Look into visa requirements. |
| http://www.travel.com.hk/liechten.htm |
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| Liechtenstein - World Atlas.com |
| Access a comprehensive information package for this tiny
country, including facts and figures, a country overview
and maps. |
| http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/europe/li.htm |
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