Liechtenstein is a small, historically stable nation in Western Europe with close ties to Switzerland. It gained independence in the 19th century and has a strong monarchy with the power to veto laws. It is known for its tax haven status and attracts tourists with its picturesque scenery and capital city of Vaduz. There is no international airport, but it can be easily reached by land from Austria and Switzerland.
Liechtenstein is a small nation in Western Europe. It covers just 62 square miles (160 square km), making it smaller than Washington, DC, and one of the ten smallest autonomous nations on Earth. Liechtenstein is one of the most historically stable regions of Europe. The borders for the nation as it stands today were created in the early 15th century and have not changed since.
The nation takes its name from the ruling Liechtenstein dynasty, which had its ancestral base in Liechtenstein Castle, Austria. The family has historically had close ties to the Habsburgs, serving as their advisers over the years. For the early years of the Holy Roman Empire, the Liechtenstein dynasty held the land as a fief only for other lords, making them ineligible under the existing system to serve on the Council of Princes. To overcome this problem, the prince at the time, Johann Adam Andreas, bought a small plot of land reserved only for the Holy Roman Emperor, allowing the Liechtenstein dynasty to be elevated to the rank of prince.
In 1806, following the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire and the creation of Napoleon’s Confederation of the Rhine, Liechtenstein became a sovereign nation. Although Napoleon would occupy the country for a few years, he quickly regained its independence, which he has maintained ever since. A more representative Constitution was adopted in the mid-19th century and a few years later the country declared its independence.
Since the end of World War I, Liechtenstein has had close ties with Switzerland, which assists it in many of its diplomatic responsibilities, due to its small size and lack of presence in many nations around the world. Since 2003, Liechtenstein’s monarchy has had more power than any other European country, with the prince having the power to veto any law he wishes and the power to dissolve parliament.
Liechtenstein is perhaps best known for its tax haven status. Low tax rates have led to tens of thousands of businesses opening operations in Liechtenstein, helping to make it a very wealthy country for its small size.
Liechtenstein mainly attracts tourists who want to see this new nation in contemporary Europe. A strong monarchy, a small patch of land, and quite picturesque scenery make Liechtenstein feel more like a country you could read about in a book than something sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria. The capital Vaduz is one of the main attractions. A fairly small village, with only a handful of main roads and an imposing castle looming over the city, Vaduz is not what you’d expect of a national capital.
There is no international airport in Liechtenstein, but you can easily reach the country by land from both Austria and Switzerland.
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