Where is Liechtensten?
Liechtenstein is a country in Western
Europe bordering Austria and separated
from Switzerland by the Rhine River. It
is one of the smallest independent sovereign
states of Europe, along with San Marino
in Italy and Andorra in the Pyrenees between
France and Spain. The entire country is
only about 16 miles long and 4 miles wide
and is part of the European Economic Area
(EEA).Liechtenstein is divided into two
traditionally distinct regions, the Upper
and the Lower Country. The Western portion,
the Lower Country, is the flat plain of
the Rhine. Most of Liechtenstein, however,
is the mountainous Upper Country, where
the Alpine ranges run East - West.
The country maintains close relations
with Switzerland, sharing customs, currency
and postal systems. This practice has
enabled Liechtenstein to share in Switzerland's
prosperity and, along with Liechtenstein's
own industrial development, gives its
citizens one of the world's highest per
capita incomes.The population is 90% Roman
Catholic and almost the entire population
lives in the communities near the Rhine,
with 20% of the total in Vaduz,
the capital and largest city.
Because of the employment
opportunities in Liechtenstein, about
one third of the population is composed
of resident foreigners.Having a homogenous
population, most of the residents speak
Allemanish, a local dialect
of German. English is also understood
throughout the country.
The principality of Liechtenstein
is a stable, constitutional, hereditary
monarchy, with a modern economy and unicameral
parliament. In 1969 the principality celebrated
its 250th anniversary.