Any Travels

High in the mountain range of the Alps, Liechtenstein is not only landlocked, but only borders landlocked countries as well.
The country is mainly mountainous, with the Rhine valley in its western third. The population is largely Roman Catholic, with a Protestant minority. German is the national language; a High German dialect is also spoken. There is a large component of foreign workers.

Traditionally agricultural, Liechtenstein has been increasingly industrialized, with industry now employing over half of the workforce. Most of the rest of the labor force works in the service sector. Only a small fraction of the population still engages in agriculture (dairying and the raising of livestock and cereals). The leading manufactured products are machinery and other metal goods, pharmaceuticals, optical lenses, electronic equipment, textiles, ceramics, and consumer goods. A large part of the production is exported. Tourism is an increasingly important industry. Much revenue is derived from the minimal taxes imposed on international corporations, which, because of the low taxes, are headquartered there. The stable political environment and the secrecy of its financial institutions contribute to its reputation as a banking center and tax haven. Liechtenstein is a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

A constitution has been in effect since 1921. Members of the 25-seat unicameral parliament (Landtag) are elected by popular vote for four-year terms. Liechtenstein uses Swiss currency and is represented abroad through Switzerland. The country has no army and only a small police force. Liechtenstein is divided into 11 communes.

The Liechtenstein ruling house is an old Austrian family. The principality was created in 1719 by uniting the county of Vaduz with the barony of Schellenburg. The princes, vassals of the Holy Roman emperors, also owned huge estates (many times larger than their principality) in Austria and adjacent territories; they rarely visited their country but were active in the service of the Hapsburg monarchy. Liechtenstein became independent in 1866, after having been a member of the German Confederation from 1815 to 1866.

The principality escaped the major upheavals of the 19th and 20th cent. Prince Hans Adam II succeeded to the throne in 1989 after the death of his father, Francis Joseph II, and has had a number of conflicts with the parliament due to his attempts to have a significant role in running the government, particularly its economic policy. In 2003 voters approved a number of constitutional amendments that the prince had demanded, including giving him the right to dismiss the government and approve judicial nominees.

From Switzerland or Austria it is a nice trip to Liechtenstein. The things the ministate offers are not very different form those of the bigger neighbours, but the atmosphere is somewhat special. The entire country has a police force of 22 men and one dog for their protection, for example.

Vaduz is the capital and the only city of some size. It is an attractive place and worth a visit.

Nod off and you might miss Liechtenstein - it's more akin to a big ski run than a regular European country. You can look for differences between Liechtenstein and Switzerland but you're kidding yourself if you think you've found many. Sure, it has its own stamps...

You can visit Liechtenstein any time of the year. Summer lasts roughly from June to September and offers the most pleasant climate for outdoor pursuits. Unfortunately, you won't be the only tourist during this period, so prices can be high. You'll find much better deals during the shoulder seasons of April-May or late-September-October.

If you're keen on winter sports, resorts in the Alps begin operating in late November, move into full swing around Christmas, and close down when the snow begins to melt in April.