Liechtenstein
Principality of LiechtensteinFuerstentum Liechtenstein
constitutional monarchy
Liechtenstein as the 2008 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 102 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719. Occupied by both French and Russian troops during the Napoleanic wars, it became a sovereign state in 1806 and joined the Germanic 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.
Since World War II (in which Liechtenstein remained neutral), the country's low taxes have spurred outstanding economic growth. In 2000, shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight resulted in concerns about the use of financial institutions for money laundering. However, Liechtenstein implemented anti-money-laundering legislation and a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the US went into effect in 2003.
Geography
Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland
18 fieldsLand useshare of 160 sq km
Climate
- continental;
- cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain;
- cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers
Environment - international agreements
- party to:
- Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
- signed, but not ratified:
- Law of the Sea
Geography - note
along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation
People
21 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2008 est.)
Per 1,000 population(2008 est.)
Male · female
Religions(June 2002)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 0.99 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 0.98 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.75 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 0.94 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Government
Constitutional monarchy; Prince HANS ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, assumed executive powers 26 August 1984); Head of Government (Prime Minister) Otmar HASLER (since 5 April 2001)
18 fieldsPresidential electionpercent of vote
Parliament or Landtag, 25 seats, elected 11 and 13 March 2005one dot, one seat
Percent of vote
Country name
- conventional long form:
- Principality of Liechtenstein
- conventional short form:
- Liechtenstein
- local long form:
- Fuerstentum Liechtenstein
- local short form:
- Liechtenstein
Capital
- name:
- Vaduz
- geographic coordinates:
- 47 08 N, 9 31 E
- time difference:
- UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
- daylight saving time:
- +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions
11 communes (Gemeinden, singular - Gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz
Independence
23 January 1719 (Principality of Liechtenstein established); 12 July 1806 (independence from the Holy Roman Empire)
Legal system
local civil and penal codes based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- Prince HANS ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, assumed executive powers 26 August 1984);
- Heir Apparent Prince ALOIS, son of the monarch (born 11 June 1968);
- note - on 15 August 2004, HANS ADAM transferred the official duties of the ruling prince to ALOIS, but HANS ADAM retains status of chief of state
- head of government:
- Head of Government (Prime Minister) Otmar HASLER (since 5 April 2001);
- Deputy Head of Government (Deputy Prime Minister) Klaus TSCHUETSCHER (since 21 April 2005)
- cabinet:
- Cabinet elected by the Parliament, confirmed by the monarch
- elections:
- the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the Landtag is usually appointed the head of government by the monarch and the leader of the largest minority party in the Landtag is usually appointed the deputy head of government by the monarch if there is a coalition government
Legislative branch
unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats; members are elected by popular vote under proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
- elections:
- last held 11 and 13 March 2005 (next to be held by 2009)
- election results:
- percent of vote by party - FBP 48.7%, VU 38.2%, FL 13%; seats by party - FBP 12, VU 10, FL 3
Political parties and leaders
- Patriotic Union or VU [Adolf HEEB] (was Fatherland Union);
- Progressive Citizens' Party or FBP [Marcus VOGT];
- The Free List or FL [Claudia HEEB-FLECK and Egon MATT]
International organization participation
CE, EBRD, EFTA, IAEA, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCL, WIPO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Claudia FRITSCHE
- chancery:
- 888 17th Street NW, Suite 1250, Washington, DC 20006
- telephone:
- [1] (202) 331-0590
- FAX:
- [1] (202) 331-3221
Diplomatic representation from the US
the US does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein; the US Ambassador to Switzerland is accredited to Liechtenstein
Flag description
two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band
Economy
25 fieldsGDP - composition by sector(2001)
Economy - overview
Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial service sector and living standards on a par with its large European neighbors. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of small businesses.
Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 20% - and easy incorporation rules have induced many holding or so-called letter box companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency.
It imports more than 90% of its energy requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated Europe.
Labor force
29,500 of whom 13,900 commute from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany to work each day (31 December 2001)
Industries
electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism, optical instruments
Exports - commodities
small specialty machinery, connectors for audio and video, parts for motor vehicles, dental products, hardware, prepared foodstuffs, electronic equipment, optical products
Exports - partners
EU 62.6% (Germany 24.3%, Austria 9.5%, France 8.9%, Italy 6.6%, UK 4.6%), US 18.9%, Switzerland 15.7% (2006)
Imports - commodities
agricultural products, raw materials, energy products, machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles
Exchange rates
Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar - 1.1973 (2007), 1.2539 (2006), 1.2452 (2005), 1.2435 (2004), 1.3467 (2003)
Communications
8 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- automatic telephone system
- domestic:
- NA
- international:
- country code - 423; linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio relay
Transportation
4 fieldsNetworkskm
Military
No regular military forces (constitutionally prohibited); Principality of Liechtenstein National Police (Landespolizei, LP) (2008)
5 fieldsMilitary branches
no regular military forces (constitutionally prohibited); Principality of Liechtenstein National Police (Landespolizei, LP) (2008)
Military - note
Liechtenstein has no military forces, but is interested in European security policy and is an active member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
Transnational Issues
2 fieldsIllicit drugs
has strengthened money laundering controls, but money laundering remains a concern due to Liechtenstein's sophisticated offshore financial services sector
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Liechtenstein.” The World Factbook 2008. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/liechtenstein/2008.