The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719. Occupied by both French and Russian troops during the Napoleonic 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.
Population
35,002 (July 2010 est.)
Country comparison to the world:210
Nationality
Noun:Liechtensteiner(s)
Adjective:Liechtenstein
Ethnic groups
Liechtensteiner 65.6%, other 34.4% (2000 census)
Religions
Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 7%, unknown 10.6%, other 6.2% (June 2002)
Languages
German (official), Alemannic dialect
Country Name
Conventional long form:Principality of Liechtenstein
Conventional short form:Liechtenstein
Local long form:Fuerstentum Liechtenstein
Local short form:Liechtenstein
Government Type
constitutional monarchy
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)
National Holiday
Assumption Day, 15 August
Constitution
5 October 1921; amended 15 September 2003
Legal system
local civil and penal codes based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
Chief of state:Prince HANS ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, assumed executive powers on 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 TSCHUETSCHER (since 25 March 2009)
Cabinet: Cabinet elected by the Parliament, confirmed by the monarch
(For more information visit the World Leaders website)
Elections:the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the Landtag usually appointed the head of government by the monarch and the leader of the largest minority party in the Landtag 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 elected by popular vote under proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
Elections:last held on 8 February 2009 (next to be held in 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
Judicial branch
Supreme Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Court of Appeal or Obergericht
Political Parties and Leaders
Die Freie Liste (The Free List) or FL [Wolfgang MARXER]; Fortschrittliche Buergerpartei (Progressive Citizens' Party) or FBP [Alexander BATLINER]; Vaterlaendische Union (Fatherland Union) or VU [Adolf HEEB]
Political pressure groups and leaders
NA
International organization participation
CE, EBRD, EFTA, IAEA, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention (de facto member), UN, UNCTAD, UPU, 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
