Liechtenstein
Principality of LiechtensteinFuerstentum Liechtenstein
constitutional monarchy
Liechtenstein as the 2009 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 101 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 that 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
22 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2009 est.)
Per 1,000 population
Male · female
Religions(June 2002)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.01 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 0.99 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 0.98 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.76 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Government
Constitutional monarchy; Prince HANS ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, assumed executive powers 26 August 1984); Head of Government Klaus TSCHUTSCHER (since 25 March 2009)
18 fieldsPresidential electionpercent of vote
Parliament or Landtag, 25 seats, elected 8 February 2009one 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 Klaus TSCHUTSCHER (since 25 March 2009)
- 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 8 February 2009 (next to be held February 2013)
- election results:
- percent of vote by party - VU 47.6%, FBP 43.5%, FL 8.9%; seats by party - VU 13, FBP 11, FL 1
Political parties and leaders
- Die Freie Liste (The Free List) or FL [Claudia HEEB-FLECK and Egon MATT];
- Fortschrittliche Buergerpartei (Progressive Citizens' Party) or FBP [Marcus VOGT];
- Vaterlaendische Union (Fatherland Union) or VU [Adolf HEEB]
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:
- 2900 K Street, NW, Suite 602B, Washington, DC 20007
- 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;
- the colors may derive from the blue and red livery design used in the principality's household in the 18th century;
- the prince's crown was introduced in 1937 to distinguish the flag from that of Haiti
Economy
23 fieldsGDP - composition by sector(2007)
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 the highest per capita income in the world. 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 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.
In 2008 Liechtenstein came under renewed international pressure - particularly from Germany - to improve transparency in its banking and tax systems.
Labor force
32,440 of whom 13,900 commute from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany to work each day (2007) country comparison to the world: 194
Unemployment rate
1.5% (31 December 2007) · 1.3% (September 2002) country comparison to the world: 11
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
Imports - commodities
agricultural products, raw materials, energy products, machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles
Exchange rates
Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar - 1.0774 (2008 est.), 1.1973 (2007), 1.2539 (2006), 1.2452 (2005), 1.2435 (2004)
Communications
8 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- automatic telephone system
- domestic:
- fixed line and mobile-cellular services widely available; combined telephone service subscribership exceeds 150 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 423; linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio relay (2008)
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 2009. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/liechtenstein/2009.