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Oct 27, 2022 · 1. Liechtenstein is a landlocked country in Central Europe bordering Austria and Switzerland. Landlocked countries are completely surrounded by land and do not have access to the open sea. – Source: CIA World Fact Book , The Telegraph. 2. Liechtenstein is also one of just two doubly landlocked countries, Uzbekistan is the second.
- Overview
- Geography
Liechtenstein, western European principality located between Switzerland and Austria. It is one of the smallest countries of Europe; its capital is Vaduz.
The eastern two-thirds of the country is composed of the rugged foothills of the Rhätikon Mountains, part of the central Alps. The highest peak is Grauspitz, which rises to 8,527 feet (2,599 metres), and much of the principality is at an elevation above 6,000 feet (1,800 metres). The lower slopes of the mountains are covered by evergreen forests and alpine flowers, while their bare peaks are blanketed by snow. The mountains contain three major valleys and are drained by the Samina River. The western section of the principality is occupied by the Rhine River floodplain, which, together with the valley of the Ill River, forms a triangular lowland widening northward. The river valley was once marshy, but a drainage channel built in the 1930s has made its rich soils highly suitable for agriculture.
The climate of Liechtenstein is mild and is greatly affected by the warm southerly wind known as the foehn. Annual precipitation ranges, according to location, from about 35 to 47 inches (900 to 1,200 mm), though some areas in the mountains can receive as much as 75 inches (1,900 mm). In winter the temperature rarely falls below 5 °F (−15 °C), while in summer the average daily maximum temperature varies from the high 60s to the low 80s F (about 20 to 28 °C). These conditions allow for the cultivation of grapes and corn (maize), which is unusual in a mountainous area.
Liechtenstein has a remarkable variety of vegetation. Water milfoil and mare’s-tail as well as reeds, bulrush, bird’s eye primrose, and orchids can be found. The forests comprise a mixed woodland with copper beeches, common and Norway maple, sycamore, linden, elm, and ash. Liechtenstein is also rich in wildlife, including red deer, roe deer, chamois, hares, marmots, blackcocks, pheasants, hazel grouse, partridges, foxes, badgers, martens, polecats, stoats, and weasels.
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Liechtenstein is a constitutional monarchy. Its head of state is the prince, who succeeds to the throne by heredity through the male line as determined by the regulations of the princely house. The constitution of 1921 provides for a unicameral Landtag (Diet), which consists of 25 members elected to four-year terms. The traditional regions of Vaduz and Schellenberg are still recognized as unique regions—the Upper Country (Oberland) and the Lower Country (Unterland), respectively—and they form separate electoral districts. All citizens age 18 or older who live in the principality are eligible to vote in national elections.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Dec 31, 2019 · 1. Liechtenstein, a tiny European country nestled between Switzerland and Austria, is nearly eight times smaller than the city of Los Angeles. Google Maps. With an area of about 62 square miles,...
Apr 17, 2024 · Liechtenstein. Europe. Page last updated: April 17, 2024. Photos of Liechtenstein. view 1 photos. Introduction. Background. The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719.
- THERE’S VERY LITTLE CRIME. Liechtenstein has one of the world’s lowest crime rates, with its last murder occurring in approximately 1997 and its prison holding very few inmates.
- SWITZERLAND ONCE ACCIDENTALLY INVADED IT. Switzerland unintentionally invaded Liechtenstein in March 2007, when about 170 Swiss infantry soldiers wandered across the unmarked border for more than a mile into Liechtenstein before realizing their mistake.
- ONCE A YEAR, ALL THE RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO PARTY IN A CASTLE. On Liechtenstein’s national holiday, His Serene Highness Prince Hans-Adam II, the head of state, and his son, His Serene Highness Hereditary Prince Alois, invite the residents of their tiny principality to have a beer in the garden of Vaduz Castle, the princely ancestral residence.
- THEY SPEAK GERMAN, BUT NOT EXACTLY. Although German is the country’s official language, most residents speak an Alemannic dialect that’s very different from standard German and closer to Swiss Standard German.
Jul 2, 2023 · 46 Facts About Liechtenstein. Liechtenstein, a small landlocked country in Central Europe, may be tiny in size, but it is rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Nestled between Switzerland to the west and Austria to the east, Liechtenstein is known for its picturesque landscapes, charming villages, and impressive castles.
Jul 12, 2023 · Provides an overview of Liechtenstein, including key facts about this small European state.
