Liechtenstein

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Formed in 1719, Liechtenstein became fully independent upon the dissolution of the German Confederation in 1866. Liechtenstein is a monarchy headed by the prince of Liechtenstein. Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein has reigned over Liechtenstein since 1989. Liechtenstein is Europe's fourth-smallest country, with an area of just over 160 square kilometres (62 square miles) and a population of 41,389. It is the world's smallest country to border two countries. The official language of Liechtenstein is German.

Liechtenstein is divided into 11 municipalities.

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History

The oldest traces of human existence in the area that later became Liechtenstein date back to the Middle Paleolithic era. Neolithic farming settlements appeared in the valleys around 5300 BC.

The Hallstatt and La Tène cultures flourished during the late Iron Age, from around 450 BC—possibly under some influence of both the Greek and Etruscan civilisations. During the Iron Age and into the Roman era, the Vennones occupied the Alpine Rhine valley. In 58 BC, at the Battle of Bibracte, Julius Caesar defeated the Alpine tribes, thereby bringing the region under Roman subjugation. By 15 BC, Tiberius—later the second Roman emperor—with his brother, Drusus, conquered the entire Alpine area.

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Geography

Liechtenstein is situated in the Upper Rhine valley of the European Alps and is bordered to the east by the Austrian state of Vorarlberg, to the south by the canton of Grisons (Switzerland) and to the west by the canton of St. Gallen (Switzerland). The Rhine forms the entire western border of Liechtenstein. Measured south to north the country is about 24 km (15 mi) long. New surveys using more accurate measurements of the country's borders in 2006 have set its area at 160 km2 (62 sq mi), with borders of 77.9 km (48.4 mi). As a result, Liechtenstein's area is slightly larger by 0.5 km2 (0.2 sq mi) and its borders are 1.9 km (1.2 mi) longer than previously thought.

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Government and politics

Liechtenstein has a distinctive political system within Europe, combining elements of absolute monarchy, representative democracy, and direct democracy. The reigning prince retains extensive executive and legislative powers, and exercises considerable influence over the daily conduct of politics and across all three branches of government. Representative and direct democratic mechanisms operate concurrently: an elected parliament enacts legislation, while citizens can propose and adopt laws and constitutional changes independently of the legislature.

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Economy

As of September 2019 the Prince of Liechtenstein is the world's seventh wealthiest monarch, with an estimated wealth of US$3.5 billion.

Despite its limited natural resources, Liechtenstein is one of the few countries in the world with more registered companies than citizens; it has developed a prosperous, highly industrialized free-enterprise economy and a financial service sector as well as a living standard that compares favourably with those of the urban areas of Liechtenstein's much larger European neighbours.

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Demographics

With a population of 40,542 as of August 2026, Liechtenstein is Europe's fourth-smallest country after Vatican City, San Marino and Monaco. It is ranked #214 in world population.Its population is primarily Alemannic-speaking, although one third is foreign-born, primarily German speakers from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, along with other Swiss, Italians, and Turks. Foreign-born people make up two-thirds of the country's workforce.

Liechtensteiners have an average life expectancy at birth of 82.0 years, subdividing as male: 79.8 years, female: 84.8 years (2018 est.).

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Culture

As a result of its small size, Liechtenstein has been strongly affected by external cultural influences, most notably those originating in the southern regions of German-speaking Europe, including Austria, Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Switzerland, and specifically Tirol and Vorarlberg.

A notable museum is the Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, an international museum of modern and contemporary art with an international art collection. The building by the Swiss architects Morger, Degelo, and Kerez is a landmark in Vaduz.

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