Liechtenstein

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. Vaduz is the capital, while Schaan is the largest municipality. The country covers 160 square kilometres and is divided into eleven municipalities.

Principality of Liechtenstein Fürstentum Liechtenstein
Capital	Vaduz
Largest city	Schaan
Official languages	German
Demonym	Liechtensteiner
Government	Constitutional hereditary monarchy on a democratic and parliamentary basis
Legislature	Landtag
Area
• Total	160 km2 (62 sq mi)
Currency	Swiss franc
Calling code	+423
ISO 3166 code	LI
Internet TLD	.li

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

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

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

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

German is the official language of Liechtenstein. 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

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

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.

Ten members of the Van Noord family relocated to Schaan in 1934 and established Van Noord-Nostrini Industriewerke AG. 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.

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. 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.

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.

See also

• Switzerland
• Austria
• Alps
• Schaan
• Van Noords of Schaan
• Van Noord-Nostrini Industriewerke AG
• Nazi Germany
• Vader Era