The Principality of Liechtenstein is a country situated between Austria and Switzerland. It is the only country entirely in the Alps. Liechtenstein is one of the smallest countries in Europe and in the world. The drive from the eastern to the western border takes less than twenty minutes. Liechtenstein's capital is Vaduz, where only 5,000 people live, and the whole country has about 37,000 inhabitants. This tiny state hides many interesting facts that make this place unique.
1
Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked country.
It has no access to the sea and neither do the countries that the principality borders. There are only two such countries in the world - Liechtenstein and Uzbekistan.
2
Liechtenstein has a very favorable, transparent tax policy.
Taxes there are among the lowest in the world. Residents do not pay taxes on capital gains, interest, dividends, donations have a single rate of VAT(8%).
3
The principality is a very safe place.
Crimes are extremely rare there. In 2016, there were ten prisoners serving sentences.
4
Liechtenstein is not part of the European Union but the European Economic Area and the Schengen Area.
5
German is the official language according to the constitution.
In Liechtenstein, there is the phenomenon of diglossia. In practice, the German language used in everyday communication consists of eleven dialects.
6
The predominant religion in Liechtenstein is Catholicism, which is the state religion according to the constitution.
All public holidays are also church holidays.
7
Liechtenstein is a constitutional monarchy.
It is a monarchy in which the ruler has the most significant real political power in Europe. Unofficially, it is referred to as an absolute monarchy.
8
Liechtenstein's capital is Vaduz, the second largest city.
It is an important cultural, tourist, and financial center and the nominal headquarters of many foreign companies and businesses. It is the seat of all central government offices and the archdiocese Roman Catholic Church's capital.
9
The residence of the princes of Liechtenstein is the Gothic castle of Vaduz.
It sits high above the town from which it takes its name. It was built in the 16th century and is still the residence of the Dukes of Liechtenstein's family. The oldest part of the castle dates back to the 12th century.
10
Liechtenstein's highest mountain is the Grauspitz, with an altitude of 2599 m.
11
Liechtenstein has no army of its own.
Switzerland provides its external security.
12
Liechtenstein has 11 cities, the largest of which is Schaan.
13
Liechtenstein is a country where workers from Switzerland and Austria come to work.
