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Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein In central Europe, one of the smallest countries in the world. It lies on the border between Austria and Switzerland, to the south of Lake Constance.
Physical
The western section of Liechtenstein occupies part of the floodplain of the upper Rhine, while to the east it extends up the forested and then snow-covered slopes of the Rätikon Massif, part of the central Alps. Its mild climate is significantly affected by the warm Föhn wind from the south.
Economy
The economy is based on manufacturing industry; tourism and agriculture play a role, and the registration of foreign holding companies provides a source of tax income and stimulus to financial activity. The main exports are machinery and metal and chemical products. There is a customs and monetary union with Switzerland.
History
The principality of Liechtenstein was founded in 1719 when the two independent lordships of Schellenberg and Vaduz were united within the Holy Roman Empire. Liechtenstein remained part of the Empire until 1806, when it became part of the Rhine Federation. It joined the German Confederation in 1815 and became independent in 1866. A unicameral parliament was established by the 1921 constitution but the country has remained a monarchy, headed by the Prince. Any 900 persons or three communes may initiate legislation in the Diet (parliament). In 1989 Prince Hans-Adam II (1945– ) succeeded his father, Prince Franz Joseph II (1906–89). Liechtenstein became industralized after World War II. Women were given the right to vote on national, but not local, issues in 1984. A constitutional row began to develop in 1996 following the stated intention of the government to remove certain powers from Prince Hans-Adam II, who announced that he would abandon the country unless he retained his full rights. In 1992 a referendum approved Liechtenstein's entry into the European Economic Area.
Capital: | Vaduz |
Area: | 160 sq km (61.6 sq miles) |
Population: | 31,400 (1998 est) |
Currency: | 1 Swiss franc = 100 rappen (or centimes) |
Religions: | Roman Catholic 87.0%; Protestant 9.0% |
Ethnic Groups: | Liechtensteiner 63.9%; Swiss 15.7%; Austrian 7.7%; German 3.7% |
Languages: | German (official); Italian; French |
International Organizations: | CSCE; EFTA; Council of Europe |
Cite this article
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Liechtenstein banks on secrecy: the recent theft of data from a Liechtenstein bank may change the Savings Tax Directive between the EU and countries like Liechtenstein and Switzerland sooner than expected. The past few months have seen increasing political pressure on both states to combat banking secrecy.(NEWS FEATURE)
Magazine article from: Swiss News; 7/1/2008; ; 700+ words
; ...confidential information on foreign clients of the Liechtenstein bank LGT--Liechtenstein Global Trust. Hundreds of Germans, including...German authorities allegedly paid the thief, Liechtenstein citizen Heinrich Kieber, 4 million [euro...
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Liechtenstein.(Beautiful license plates)(Brief Article)
Magazine article from: Swiss News; 7/1/2001; 700+ words
; Liechtenstein license plate numbers draw the interest...articles attempt to convey an image of a Liechtenstein that is multifaceted and dynamic...arouse curiosity about this little Liechtenstein that, as a state with 32,000 inhabitants...
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Liechtenstein details stronger privacy rules
Newspaper article from: International Herald Tribune; 2/21/2008; ; 700+ words
; ...International Herald Tribune 02-21-2008 Liechtenstein details stronger privacy rules Byline...5 Section: FINANCE/BUSINESS VADUZ , Liechtenstein -- The government of Liechtenstein on Wednesday detailed plans to strengthen...
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Liechtenstein institutes proceedings against Germany.
M2 Presswire; 6/5/2001; 700+ words
; M2 PRESSWIRE-5 June 2001-UN: Liechtenstein institutes proceedings against Germany...RDATE:04062001 THE HAGUE -- Today, Liechtenstein instituted proceedings against Germany...to treat certain property of Liechtenstein nationals as German assets ... seized...
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 "EFTA Bulletin (Switzerland)")
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Liechtenstein and the EEA.
Magazine article from: EFTA Bulletin (Switzerland); 6/1/2003; ; 700+ words
; ...became a reality ten years ago, 56% of Liechtenstein's citizens voted, in a referendum...joining the Area. Since Switzerland--Liechtenstein's customs union partner--rejected...the EEA Agreement in a referendum, Liechtenstein could not accede to the EEA Agreement...
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Liechtenstein's Presence In The World: Bilateral Relations With Neighboring States And Permanent Missions To International Organizations.
News Wire article from: Mondaq Business Briefing; 4/16/2008; 700+ words
; Liechtenstein is buying a residence and office for...the United States. Until now, the Liechtenstein's embassy rented premises in an...underscores the great significance Liechtenstein attaches to its own diplomatic representation...
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Liechtenstein Creates Comprehensive Climate Protection Act Implementation Of Obligations Arising From The Kyoto Protocol.
News Wire article from: Mondaq Business Briefing; 4/23/2007; 700+ words
; ...Even a small country such as Liechtenstein can make a contribution to climate...emissions. The Principality of Liechtenstein joined the Kyoto Protocol in...already entered into force for Liechtenstein in 1994. To implement the obligations...
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Liechtenstein Favors Regional Commuter Trains.
News Wire article from: Mondaq Business Briefing; 8/28/2007; 700+ words
; ...increasingly great concern for Liechtenstein. In the short term, the Principality...Constance area travel to their jobs in Liechtenstein. While the heavy commuter traffic between Switzerland and Liechtenstein during the morning and evening...
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Liechtenstein: where the missing billions go ; Liechtenstein is a throwback to the days when princes ruled. It is also the focus of a very modern industry: tax evasion. But all that may be about to change...
Newspaper article from: Belfast Telegraph; 2/26/2008; 700+ words
; ...sites plays only a minor role in the Liechtenstein success story. As European governments...country boasts an estimated 73,700. Liechtenstein does not need a mainline railway station...tax evaders who have helped to put Liechtenstein on an OECD blacklist of only three...
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Liechtenstein Stands For Respect Of Privacy.
News Wire article from: Mondaq Business Briefing; 2/27/2008; 700+ words
; Liechtenstein foundations and tax evasion are two...authorities, taxes have been evaded in Liechtenstein using foundations. Amplified by media...reports, this gives the impression that Liechtenstein foundations are used only for tax...
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Liechtenstein
Encyclopedia entry from: World Education Encyclopedia
Liechtenstein Basic Data Official Country Name: Principality of Liechtenstein Region: Europe Population: 32,207 Language...History & Background The Principality of Liechtenstein is located between Switzerland and Austria in...
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Liechtensteiners
Encyclopedia entry from: Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of World Cultures
...lick-ten-SHTINE-uhrs LOCATION: Liechtenstein POPULATION: 30,000 LANGUAGE: Standard...Protestantism 1 • INTRODUCTION Liechtenstein is a tiny, beautiful country located...landscape. The region now known as Liechtenstein has been inhabited since 3000 bc...
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Wenzel, Hanni
Book article from: Notable Sports Figures
...person from the tiny European country of Liechtenstein to win an Olympic gold medal. She...smallest country in Europe, the nation of Liechtenstein (just 60 square miles), when she...and her sister Petra were also on the Liechtenstein Olympic skiing team. Although Petra...
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Hilti AG
Book article from: International Directory of Company Histories
...Feldkircherstrasse 100 Postfach 333 FL-9494 Schaan Liechtenstein Telephone: +423 234 2111 Fax +423...largest industrial corporation in tiny Liechtenstein and one of the world ’ s...SFr 3 billion in 2002. (Like most Liechtenstein companies, Hilti uses the Swiss currency...
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Vaduz
Book article from: The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition
Vaduz , town (1996 pop. 5,017), capital of Liechtenstein, W Liechtenstein, on the Rhine River. It is a tourist center. A beautiful medieval castle (now an art museum) dominates the town. Vaduz was destroyed (1499) in the war between...
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