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| official_languages = [[German language|German]]
| official_languages = [[German language|German]]
| demonym = Liechtensteiner
| demonym = Liechtensteiner
| government_type = Constitutional monarchy
| government_type = Constitutional hereditary monarchy on a democratic and parliamentary basis
| legislature = Landtag
| area_km2 = 160
| currency = [[Swiss franc]]
| currency = [[Swiss franc]]
| calling_code = +423
| calling_code = +423
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}}
}}


'''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''', officially the '''Principality of Liechtenstein''', is a landlocked country in [[Central Europe]]. It lies in the [[Alps]], with [[Switzerland]] to its west and south and [[Austria]] to its east and north.<ref name="switzerland"/><ref name="austria"/><ref name="alps"/> [[Vaduz]] is the capital, while [[Schaan]] is the largest municipality. The country covers 160 square kilometres and is divided into eleven municipalities.


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.
[[German language|German]] is the official language, and the [[Swiss franc]] is the national currency. Liechtenstein is a constitutional hereditary monarchy governed by the prince, the elected Landtag and a five-member government.


== Geography ==
== Geography ==
Most of Liechtenstein's population lives in the Rhine valley, which occupies the western part of the country. The Rhine forms much of the border with Switzerland. The land rises eastward from the valley into the Alps, where the terrain consists of steep slopes and high mountain valleys. Grauspitz, at 2,599 metres, is the country's highest point.


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 eleven municipalities are traditionally divided between the Oberland in the south and the Unterland in the north. Vaduz serves as the political centre. Schaan has the largest population and contains an important part of the country's industrial area. Roads crossing the national borders connect the municipalities with eastern Switzerland and the Austrian state of Vorarlberg.


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 ==
Liechtenstein is a constitutional hereditary monarchy on a democratic and parliamentary basis. The prince serves as head of state and exercises constitutional authority together with the population. National legislation is considered by the Landtag, whose 25 members are elected for four-year terms.


== Government and economy ==
The government consists of the prime minister and four ministers. Its members are elected by the Landtag and appointed by the prince. Each municipality also maintains its own elected administration and controls local matters within the limits of national law.


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.
== Economy ==
Liechtenstein developed from an agricultural country into an industrial and service economy during the twentieth century. Manufacturing has a larger role than is usual for a country of its size. Companies based in Liechtenstein produce machinery and precision goods for export, while financial services are concentrated in Vaduz.


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.
The country forms a customs and monetary area with Switzerland. The Swiss franc became its official currency in 1924. Commercial access to Switzerland has supported exports and allows workers to travel across the border each day.


== Language and society ==
== Language ==
German is the official language of Liechtenstein.<ref name="german"/> Alemannic dialects are used in ordinary speech and differ between municipalities. Standard German is used by the government and schools and in formal writing.


[[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.
== History ==
The territory of modern Liechtenstein developed from the Lordship of Schellenberg and the County of Vaduz. The House of Liechtenstein acquired Schellenberg in 1699 and Vaduz in 1712. Emperor Charles VI united the territories in 1719 and raised them to the Principality of Liechtenstein. The country became sovereign in 1806 when it entered the Confederation of the Rhine.


Liechtenstein's society is shaped by Alpine settlement, local municipalities, Catholic traditions, cross-border work, and close economic relations with Switzerland and Austria.
Liechtenstein maintained close economic relations with Austria during the nineteenth century. After the First World War and the dissolution of Austria-Hungary, the government turned towards Switzerland. A customs treaty between the two countries entered into force in 1924, followed by the adoption of the Swiss franc.


== Second World War period ==
=== Second World War ===
Liechtenstein remained neutral during the [[Second World War]]. Its border with Switzerland allowed companies based in the country to use Swiss commercial routes while war affected the surrounding states.<ref name="second-world-war-production"/>


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.
Ten members of the [[Van Noords of Schaan|Van Noord family]] relocated to Schaan in 1934 and established [[Van Noord-Nostrini Industriewerke AG]].<ref name="van-noords-origins"/><ref name="company-history"/> Its automobile division produced the [[Van Noord Schaan Tipo A]] from 1937 to 1939. [[Panzerwerke Van Noord AG]], the company's military engineering division, developed the [[VP-3 Ricognitore]] and manufactured drivetrain systems for armoured vehicles.<ref name="company-operations"/>


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, Van Noord-Nostrini supplied engines and drivetrain systems to German-aligned manufacturers. The company handled this business through Swiss commercial networks and did not enter direct public contracts with the government of [[Nazi Germany]].<ref name="company-war"/> Internal conflict among its owners began in 1943. Sabotage disrupted the workshops, while killings and disappearances removed most of the Schaan branch. Nine of its ten known members were killed or disappeared by 1945.<ref name="company-collapse"/>


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"/>
[[Alessandro Van Noord]], the only known survivor, fled to Switzerland in May 1945. Van Noord-Nostrini ceased operating by the end of that year after its remaining wartime orders ended.<ref name="company-collapse"/>


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 47: Line 55:
* [[Austria]]
* [[Austria]]
* [[Alps]]
* [[Alps]]
* [[German language]]
* [[Schaan]]
* [[Schaan]]
* [[Van Noords of Schaan]]
* [[Van Noords of Schaan]]
* [[Van Noord-Nostrini Industriewerke AG]]
* [[Nazi Germany]]
* [[Nazi Germany]]
* [[Vader Era]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
{{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="switzerland">"[[Switzerland|Switzerland]]". ''Switzerland''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
 
<ref name="austria">"[[Austria|Austria]]". ''Austria''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</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">"[[Alps#Geography|Geography]]". ''Alps''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
 
<ref name="german">"[[German language#Geographic distribution|Geographic distribution]]". ''German language''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</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="second-world-war-production">"[[Second World War#Home fronts and production|Home fronts and production]]". ''Second World War''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
 
<ref name="van-noords-origins">"[[Van Noords of Schaan#Origins|Origins]]". ''Van Noords of Schaan''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</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="company-history">"[[Van Noord-Nostrini Industriewerke AG#History|History]]". ''Van Noord-Nostrini Industriewerke AG''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
 
<ref name="company-operations">"[[Van Noord-Nostrini Industriewerke AG#Industrial operations|Industrial operations]]". ''Van Noord-Nostrini Industriewerke AG''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</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="company-war">"[[Van Noord-Nostrini Industriewerke AG#Wartime business|Wartime business]]". ''Van Noord-Nostrini Industriewerke AG''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
 
<ref name="company-collapse">"[[Van Noord-Nostrini Industriewerke AG#Collapse|Collapse]]". ''Van Noord-Nostrini Industriewerke AG''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</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>
}}
}}


[[Category:Countries]]
[[Category:Countries]]
[[Category:Countries in Europe]]
[[Category:Countries in Europe]]
[[Category:Central Europe]]
[[Category:Central Europe]]
[[Category:Liechtenstein]]
[[Category:Liechtenstein]]
[[Category:Locations]]
[[Category:Locations]]

Latest revision as of 18:40, 1 July 2026

Principality of Liechtenstein
Fürstentum Liechtenstein
CapitalVaduz
Largest citySchaan
Official languagesGerman
DemonymLiechtensteiner
GovernmentConstitutional hereditary monarchy on a democratic and parliamentary basis
LegislatureLandtag
Area
• Total
160 km2 (62 sq mi)
CurrencySwiss franc
Calling code+423
ICR 100 codeLI
Internet TLD.li

Liechtenstein, officially the Principality of Liechtenstein, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It lies in the Alps, with Switzerland to its west and south and Austria to its east and north.[1][2][3] Vaduz is the capital, while Schaan is the largest municipality. The country covers 160 square kilometres and is divided into eleven municipalities.

German is the official language, and the Swiss franc is the national currency. Liechtenstein is a constitutional hereditary monarchy governed by the prince, the elected Landtag and a five-member government.

Geography

[edit | edit source]

Most of Liechtenstein's population lives in the Rhine valley, which occupies the western part of the country. The Rhine forms much of the border with Switzerland. The land rises eastward from the valley into the Alps, where the terrain consists of steep slopes and high mountain valleys. Grauspitz, at 2,599 metres, is the country's highest point.

The eleven municipalities are traditionally divided between the Oberland in the south and the Unterland in the north. Vaduz serves as the political centre. Schaan has the largest population and contains an important part of the country's industrial area. Roads crossing the national borders connect the municipalities with eastern Switzerland and the Austrian state of Vorarlberg.

Government

[edit | edit source]

Liechtenstein is a constitutional hereditary monarchy on a democratic and parliamentary basis. The prince serves as head of state and exercises constitutional authority together with the population. National legislation is considered by the Landtag, whose 25 members are elected for four-year terms.

The government consists of the prime minister and four ministers. Its members are elected by the Landtag and appointed by the prince. Each municipality also maintains its own elected administration and controls local matters within the limits of national law.

Economy

[edit | edit source]

Liechtenstein developed from an agricultural country into an industrial and service economy during the twentieth century. Manufacturing has a larger role than is usual for a country of its size. Companies based in Liechtenstein produce machinery and precision goods for export, while financial services are concentrated in Vaduz.

The country forms a customs and monetary area with Switzerland. The Swiss franc became its official currency in 1924. Commercial access to Switzerland has supported exports and allows workers to travel across the border each day.

Language

[edit | edit source]

German is the official language of Liechtenstein.[4] Alemannic dialects are used in ordinary speech and differ between municipalities. Standard German is used by the government and schools and in formal writing.

History

[edit | edit source]

The territory of modern Liechtenstein developed from the Lordship of Schellenberg and the County of Vaduz. The House of Liechtenstein acquired Schellenberg in 1699 and Vaduz in 1712. Emperor Charles VI united the territories in 1719 and raised them to the Principality of Liechtenstein. The country became sovereign in 1806 when it entered the Confederation of the Rhine.

Liechtenstein maintained close economic relations with Austria during the nineteenth century. After the First World War and the dissolution of Austria-Hungary, the government turned towards Switzerland. A customs treaty between the two countries entered into force in 1924, followed by the adoption of the Swiss franc.

Second World War

[edit | edit source]

Liechtenstein remained neutral during the Second World War. Its border with Switzerland allowed companies based in the country to use Swiss commercial routes while war affected the surrounding states.[5]

Ten members of the Van Noord family relocated to Schaan in 1934 and established Van Noord-Nostrini Industriewerke AG.[6][7] Its automobile division produced the Van Noord Schaan Tipo A from 1937 to 1939. Panzerwerke Van Noord AG, the company's military engineering division, developed the VP-3 Ricognitore and manufactured drivetrain systems for armoured vehicles.[8]

During the war, Van Noord-Nostrini supplied engines and drivetrain systems to German-aligned manufacturers. The company handled this business through Swiss commercial networks and did not enter direct public contracts with the government of Nazi Germany.[9] Internal conflict among its owners began in 1943. Sabotage disrupted the workshops, while killings and disappearances removed most of the Schaan branch. Nine of its ten known members were killed or disappeared by 1945.[10]

Alessandro Van Noord, the only known survivor, fled to Switzerland in May 1945. Van Noord-Nostrini ceased operating by the end of that year after its remaining wartime orders ended.[10]

See also

[edit | edit source]

References

[edit | edit source]
  1. ↑ "Switzerland". Switzerland. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
  2. ↑ "Austria". Austria. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
  3. ↑ "Geography". Alps. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
  4. ↑ "Geographic distribution". German language. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
  5. ↑ "Home fronts and production". Second World War. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
  6. ↑ "Origins". Van Noords of Schaan. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
  7. ↑ "History". Van Noord-Nostrini Industriewerke AG. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
  8. ↑ "Industrial operations". Van Noord-Nostrini Industriewerke AG. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
  9. ↑ "Wartime business". Van Noord-Nostrini Industriewerke AG. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Collapse". Van Noord-Nostrini Industriewerke AG. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
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