Liechtenstein Education

 

Related Articles Geography Location: Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland Geographic coordinates: 47 10 N, 9 32 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 160 sq km land: 160 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 76 km border countries: Austria 35 km, Switzerland 41 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers Terrain: mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third Elevation extremes: lowest point: Ruggeller Riet 430 m highest point: Grauspitz 2,599 m Natural resources: hydroelectric potential, arable land Land use: arable land: 24% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 16% forests and woodland: 35% other: 25% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea Geography - note: along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation [back to top]

Liechtenstein, independent principality, bounded on the north by Switzerland and Austria, and on the south and west by Switzerland. One of the smallest independent states in the world, it has a total area of 157 sq km (61 sq mi). Land and Resources The western edge of Liechtenstein lies in the valley of the Rhine River. The rest of the country consists of foothills of the Alps, which rise in the south to peaks of more than 2438 m (more than 8000 ft) above sea level. The Rhine River, which forms the western border, drains, along with its local tributaries, the greater part of the country. The Samina River is the principal stream of the mountain region. Liechtenstein has a mild climate; average temperatures range from -1.1° C (30° F) in January to 21.1° C (70° F) in July. The average annual precipitation is about 1016 mm (about 40 in). One-third of the land is forest covered; deciduous trees predominate at lower elevations, conifers at higher elevations. Wildlife includes deer, chamois, fox, marten, and badger. Population The population of Liechtenstein (1990) was 28,877 (including 10,218 resident aliens), with an overall density of 184 persons per sq km (about 473 per sq mi). The capital and principal urban center is Vaduz (population, 1991, 4887). German is the official language, but a dialect, Alemannish, is commonly spoken. Approximately 87 percent of the population is Roman Catholic. In 1991 1985 pupils were enrolled in primary schools, and about 1200 attended secondary schools. Economy Liechtenstein is highly industrialized, with less than 2 percent of the labor force engaged in agriculture. The principal crops are corn, potatoes, barley, wheat, and vegetables. Livestock are grazed in the alpine meadows in summer. The major manufactures include machinery, pharmaceuticals, food products, metal goods, precision instruments, furniture, and pottery. Much of the principality's income is derived from banking, tourism, the sale of postage stamps, and from international firms that maintain headquarters here because of favorable tax treatment. The unit of currency is the Swiss franc, and Liechtenstein maintains a customs union with Switzerland. The country has 19 km (12 mi) of railroads and 320 km (200 mi) of roads, but it has no airport. Government Liechtenstein is a constitutional monarchy governed by hereditary princes. According to the constitution of 1921, legislative power is exercised by the unicameral parliament, made up of 25 members elected to four-year terms by universal adult suffrage. On the recommendation of parliament, the prince appoints a chief of government and four councillors who form the government. Since 1919, Switzerland has represented Liechtenstein diplomatically. History The modern history of Liechtenstein dates from 1719, when the country formally acquired its present name and ruling family with the consolidation of the counties of Vaduz and Schellenberg under the house of Liechtenstein. During the 18th and 19th centuries, it was allied with the Habsburg monarchy of Austria. When that monarchy was abolished after World War I, Liechtenstein formed its present connection with Switzerland. Prince Franz Joseph II, who became sovereign in 1938, yielded executive authority in 1984 to his son and heir, Crown Prince Hans Adam, who succeeded his father in 1989. Also in 1984, a referendum granted women the right to vote in national elections. Liechtenstein joined the United Nations in 1990. Liechtenstein joined the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) as a full member in September 1991. In December 1992 voters approved Liechtenstein's membership in the European Economic Area (EEA). The election of February 1993 resulted in the formation of a coalition government of the Progressive Citizens' Party and the Patriotic Union. Markus Büchel was named head of government. Background: The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719; it became a sovereign state in 1806. Until the end of World War I, it was closely tied to Austria, but the economic devastation caused by that conflict forced Liechtenstein to conclude a customs and monetary union with Switzerland. Since World War II (in which Liechtenstein remained neutral) the country's low taxes have spurred outstanding economic growth. People Population: 32,207 (July 2000 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18% (male 2,970; female 2,988) 15-64 years: 71% (male 11,379; female 11,370) 65 years and over: 11% (male 1,393; female 2,107) (2000 est.) Population growth rate: 1.02% (2000 est.) Birth rate: 11.83 births/1,000 population (2000 est.) Death rate: 6.64 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.) Net migration rate: 5.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2000 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.81 years male: 75.16 years female: 82.47 years (2000 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.49 children born/woman (2000 est.) Nationality: noun: Liechtensteiner(s) adjective: Liechtenstein Ethnic groups: Alemannic 87.5%, Italian, Turkish, and other 12.5% Religions: Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant 7.4%, unknown 7.7%, other 4.9% (1996) Languages: German (official), Alemannic dialect Literacy: definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (1981 est.) [back to top] Communications Telephones - main lines in use: 19,000 (1995) Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: automatic telephone system domestic: NA international: linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio relay Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 21,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: NA (linked to Swiss networks) (1997) Televisions: 12,000 (1997) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 115 (Liechtenstein and Switzerland) (1999) [back to top] Transportation Railways: total: 18.5 km; note - owned, operated, and included in statistics of Austrian Federal Railways standard gauge: 18.5 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified) Highways: total: 250 km paved: 250 km unpaved: 0 km Ports and harbors: none Airports: none [back to top]