Principality of Liechtenstein:The Last Monarchy in the Heart of the Alps
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Basic article
Principality of Liechtenstein: The last monarchy in the heart of the Alps
With a surface area of just 160 km², Liechtenstein is the sixth-smallest country in the world. It lies in the heart of the Alps between Switzerland and Austria.
The eleven municipalities that form Liechtenstein are home to around 37,000 inhabitants. Roughly two thirds of these inhabitants are Liechtenstein nationals, with the rest coming from around 90 different countries. The largest municipality is Schaan, which has a population of 5,900, followed by the capital Vaduz with a population of 5,200. German is the official language, though an Alemannic dialect is spoken.
Geography and accessibility
Liechtenstein’s border measures 76 km and is shared in roughly equal parts with Switzerland and Austria. The Principality, which is 24.8 km long and 12.4 km wide, is traversed by the Rhine. Its lowest elevation is Ruggeller Riet at 430 metres above sea level, while its highest elevation is the Grauspitz mountain at 2599 metres above sea level. Forests cover 41% of the country, with a further 33% used for farming and 15% made up by what is termed ‘unproductive land’, mainly rivers and mountains; just 11% of the Principality is populated.
The airports in Zurich, Munich, Innsbruck and Friedrichshafen are no more than a two-hour drive away, while the railway stations in Sargans, Buchs and Feldkirch can be reached quickly and easily. All of these railway stations are serviced by a network of public buses that travel into Liechtenstein and its municipalities.
Prince, parliament and government
The Principality of Liechtenstein is a constitutional hereditary monarchy on a democratic and parliamentary basis. Power is shared by the Prince and the people. The head of state, Prince Hans- Adam II, lives with his family in Vaduz Castle perched high above the capital. Since 2004, Hereditary Prince Alois has been the Prince’s representative and as such exercises all sovereign powers inherent to the head of state. The country’s 25 Members of Parliament are elected by the people to represent their rights and interests. The parliament and the Prince share legislative power. The highest executive authority is the government, which comprises the Prime Minister and four further Ministers. The government is proposed by the parliament and appointed by the Prince.
Liechtenstein Marketing Äulestrasse 30 | Postfach 139 | 9490 Vaduz | Liechtenstein T +423 239 63 63 | [email protected] | www.liechtenstein-marketing.li Small country with plenty to see and do
Hiking trails, ski pistes, museums, fine restaurants and a stable industrial and financial centre are just a few of the highlights waiting to be discovered in Liechtenstein. The Principality may be small in size but it is without a doubt big on things to see and do. To find out more visit www.liechtenstein.li/en, www.liechtenstein-business.li/en and www.tourismus.li/en.
Contact
Liechtenstein Marketing Patrik Schaedler, Head of Communication Telephone +423 239 63 05, [email protected]