Editing Liechtenstein

{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Principality of Liechtenstein
| common_name = Liechtenstein
| native_name = Fürstentum Liechtenstein
| capital = [[Vaduz]]
| largest_city = [[Schaan]]
| official_languages = [[German language|German]]
| demonym = Liechtensteiner
| government_type = Constitutional monarchy
| currency = [[Swiss franc]]
| calling_code = +423
| cctld = .li
}}

'''Liechtenstein''', officially the '''Principality of Liechtenstein''', is a landlocked country in [[Central Europe]]. It lies in the [[Alps]] between [[Switzerland]] and [[Austria]]. Its capital is [[Vaduz]], while [[Schaan]] is its largest municipality.<ref name="switzerland-lead"/><ref name="austria-lead"/><ref name="alps-geography"/>

Liechtenstein is a German-speaking state and uses the Swiss franc. Its position between Switzerland and Austria has made it closely connected to Alpine transport, cross-border finance, manufacturing, and regional trade.

== Geography ==

Liechtenstein is located in the Rhine valley and the Alpine foothills. The country is bordered by Switzerland to the west and south and Austria to the east and north. Mountain areas, valley settlements, and cross-border routes shape its geography.<ref name="alps-geography"/>

The country forms part of the central Alpine region. Roads and regional connections link Liechtenstein with eastern Switzerland, western Austria, and the wider Central European transport network.

== Government and economy ==

Liechtenstein is a constitutional monarchy headed by the prince. The government is based in Vaduz and operates through national institutions, municipal administration, courts, and financial regulation.

The economy is based on manufacturing, financial services, precision industry, administration, and cross-border commerce. Its location near Swiss financial institutions and Alpine industrial regions has historically made it useful for small industrial and holding structures.

== Language and society ==

[[German language|German]] is the official language of Liechtenstein.<ref name="german-distribution"/> Alemannic dialects are widely used in daily speech, while Standard German is used in administration, education, and formal writing.

Liechtenstein's society is shaped by Alpine settlement, local municipalities, Catholic traditions, cross-border work, and close economic relations with Switzerland and Austria.

== Second World War period ==

Liechtenstein remained a neutral state during the [[Second World War]]. Its neutrality, small size, and proximity to Switzerland made it useful for private industrial and financial activity during the war.

The [[Van Noords of Schaan]] were a Dutch-Italian industrial family and a branch of the [[Noord family]] active in Schaan from 1934 to 1945.<ref name="van-noords-lead"/> The family operated [[Van Noord-Nostrini Industriewerke AG]] and developed automobile and armored vehicle projects through local industrial structures.<ref name="van-noords-industrial"/>

During the war, the Van Noords used Swiss commercial routes and Liechtenstein's neutral position while supplying engines, drivetrain components, and engineering expertise to German-aligned industrial partners.<ref name="nazi-industry"/><ref name="van-noords-war"/> The family's operations collapsed between 1943 and 1945 after internal conflict, sabotage, disappearances, and the collapse of [[Nazi Germany]].<ref name="van-noords-collapse"/>

== See also ==
* [[Switzerland]]
* [[Austria]]
* [[Alps]]
* [[German language]]
* [[Schaan]]
* [[Van Noords of Schaan]]
* [[Nazi Germany]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="switzerland-lead">"[[Switzerland|Switzerland]]". ''Switzerland''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Lead section identifying Liechtenstein as a neighbouring country of Switzerland. Accessed 21 June 2026.</ref>

<ref name="austria-lead">"[[Austria|Austria]]". ''Austria''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Lead section identifying Liechtenstein as a neighbouring country of Austria. Accessed 21 June 2026.</ref>

<ref name="alps-geography">"[[Alps#Geography|Geography]]". ''Alps''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Geography section describing Liechtenstein within the central Alps. Accessed 21 June 2026.</ref>

<ref name="german-distribution">"[[German language#Geographic distribution|Geographic distribution]]". ''German language''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Section identifying German as the official language of Liechtenstein. Accessed 21 June 2026.</ref>

<ref name="van-noords-lead">"[[Van Noords of Schaan|Van Noords of Schaan]]". ''Van Noords of Schaan''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Lead section identifying the family as active in Schaan, Liechtenstein from 1934 to 1945. Accessed 21 June 2026.</ref>

<ref name="van-noords-industrial">"[[Van Noords of Schaan#Industrial expansion|Industrial expansion]]". ''Van Noords of Schaan''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Section describing Van Noord-Nostrini Industriewerke AG and its automobile and armored vehicle divisions. Accessed 21 June 2026.</ref>

<ref name="nazi-industry">"[[Nazi Germany#Industry and associated networks|Industry and associated networks]]". ''Nazi Germany''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Section describing Van Noord activity from Liechtenstein and the use of Swiss commercial routes during the war. Accessed 21 June 2026.</ref>

<ref name="van-noords-war">"[[Van Noords of Schaan#World War II activities|World War II activities]]". ''Van Noords of Schaan''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Section describing wartime business through Switzerland and supplies to German-aligned industrial partners. Accessed 21 June 2026.</ref>

<ref name="van-noords-collapse">"[[Van Noords of Schaan#Internal conflict and collapse|Internal conflict and collapse]]". ''Van Noords of Schaan''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Section covering the family's collapse between 1943 and 1945. Accessed 21 June 2026.</ref>
}}

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[[Category:Central Europe]]

[[Category:Liechtenstein]]

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