Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein (/ˈlɪktənstaɪn/ LIK-tən-styne; German: [ˈlɪçtn̩ʃtaɪn] ⓘ), officially the Principality of Liechtenstein (German: Fürstentum Liechtenstein, pronounced [ˈfʏʁstn̩tuːm ˈlɪçtn̩ˌʃtaɪ̯n] ⓘ), is a doubly landlocked German-speaking microstate located in the Alps between Austria and Switzerland. It is the sixth smallest country in the world. Liechtenstein is a semi-constitutional monarchy headed by the prince of Liechtenstein.
Principality of Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|
| Motto: "Für Gott, Fürst und Vaterland" "For God, Prince and Fatherland" | |
| Anthem: | |
| Capital | Vaduz |
| Largest municipality | Schaan 47°10′00″N 9°30′35″E |
| Official languages | German |
| Ethnic groups (2017) |
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| Religion (2015) |
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| Demonym(s) | Liechtensteiner |
| Government | Unitary parliamentary semi-constitutional monarchy with elements of a direct democracy |
• Monarch | Hans-Adam II |
• Regent | Alois |
| Daniel Risch | |
| Legislature | Landtag |
| Independence as principality | |
• Union between Vaduz and Schellenberg | 23 January 1719 |
| 12 July 1806 | |
• Separation from German Confederation | 23 August 1866 |
| Area | |
• Total | 160 km2 (62 sq mi) (190th) |
• Water (%) | 2.7 |
| Population | |
• 2023 estimate | 39,584 (189th) |
• Density | 237/km2 (613.8/sq mi) (57th) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2013 estimate |
• Total | $5.3 billion (149th) |
• Per capita | $98,432 (3rd) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2020 estimate |
• Total | $6.872 billion (147th) |
• Per capita | $180,000 (1st) |
| HDI (2021) | 0.935 very high · 16th |
| Currency | Swiss franc (CHF) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| UTC+02:00 (CEST) | |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | +423 |
| ISO 3166 code | LI |
| Internet TLD | .li |
Liechtenstein is bordered by Switzerland to the west and south and Austria to the east and north. It is Europe's fourth-smallest country, with an area of just over 160 square kilometres (62 square miles) and a population of 38,749 (as of 2019). Divided into 11 municipalities, its capital is Vaduz, and its largest municipality is Schaan. It is also the smallest country to border two countries.
Economically, Liechtenstein has one of the highest gross domestic products per person in the world when adjusted for purchasing power parity. The country has a strong financial sector centred in Vaduz. It was once known as a billionaire tax haven, but is no longer on any official blacklists of uncooperative tax haven countries. An Alpine country, Liechtenstein is mountainous, making it a winter sport destination.
Liechtenstein is a member of the United Nations, the European Free Trade Association, and the Council of Europe. It is not a member state of the European Union, but it participates in both the Schengen Area and the European Economic Area. It has a customs union and a monetary union with Switzerland.