Liechtenstein - Tourism and Travel

The Principality of Liechtenstein is a small, landlocked country in Europe. It is located in the Alps, between Austria and Switzerland.

The Alps began to form about 65 million years ago, when the African continental plate collided with the Eurasian plate, causing large masses of rock strata to become compressed and folded.

Liechtenstein has an area of 62 square miles (160 square kilometers) and a population of 36,000.

The Rhine River, which forms the border between Liechtenstein and Switzerland, flows along a flat, broad trough between mountains. It creates a broad flood plain in northern and western Liechtenstein.

The capital of Liechtenstein is Vaduz.

Low business taxes in Liechtenstein attract foreign companies, which provide about one third of state revenues.

Banking is an important sector.

Liechtenstein manufactures textiles, ceramics, and precision instruments.

It does not have many raw materials.

Tourism is an important industry.

66% of the people of Liechtenstein are Liechtensteiners, 10% are Swiss, 6% are Austrian, 3% are German and 3% are Italian.

German is the official language. Alemannish dialect and Italian are also spoken.

81% of the people are Roman Catholic and 7% are Protestant.

Liechtenstein has a parliamentary system of government.

The official currency of Liechtenstein is the Swiss Franc, which is equal to 100 rappen or 100 centimes.