15 Curious Facts About Liechtenstein

The tiny country is the fourth smallest in Europe and has an area of only 160 square km. Don’t get fooled by the small size; Liechtenstein boasts of pretty tourist attractions. It looks like it comes straight out of a fairyland because of its breathtaking castles, mountains, and valleys.

The population of the nation is estimated to be 38,123 as of June, 2020. But, the amazing thing is that it welcomes so many tourists, almost 1.5 times its population every year. The capital city, Vaduz, boasts of a population of only 5,696 as of 2019.

The official language is German and it’s the smallest German speaking country in the world. It’s also the only one that doesn’t share a border with Germany. Most residents speak an Alemannic dialect which is similar to Swiss Standard German.

Liechtenstein is one of the two doubly landlocked countries in the whole world, meaning one needs to cross two national borders to access a coastline.

It is surrounded by singly landlocked countries – Austria to the north and east, and Switzerland to the south and west. The only other country similar is Uzbekistan.

Though Liechtenstein and Switzerland have very close relations, Swiss military have unintentionally crossed the borders in the past. In 2007, the army crossed the unmarked territory by mistake because of bad weather. compensation was also paid. In 1985, there were forest fires because of some rockets fired by the Swiss Army.

But, the country doesn’t have a military and acts neutral. The army was disbanded in 1866 after the Austro-Prussian War. The Prince objected but it was then finalized in 1868. 80 soldiers were sent to the war but 81 men came back as they met an Italian who decided to join them.

The country is extremely safe and the crime rate is negligible. It’s so safe that residents sometimes don’t even lock their front doors! The prisons are mostly vacant here. In a rare case, if someone gets sentenced to over two years in prison, the inmate is sent to Austrian prisons. The country has 100 officers and a few support staff.

The National day of Liechtenstein (Staatsfeiertag), August 15, is celebrated by opening the gates of Vaduz Castle for every single person. The royals start the party with an official reception, then there’s drinking, and end it with feasts and fireworks.

The country’s national anthem,’Oben am jungen Rhein’ (Up above the young Rhine), has the same melody as the national anthem of the UK, ’God Save the Queen’.

The country has no airport and the nearest airport is the Zurich Airport in Switzerland. The country does have a helipad in Balzers.

Liechtenstein produces millions of false teeth. It contributes to almost 40% of the European market and 20% of the world market.

A company named Ivoclar Vivadent based in the largest city, Schaan, produces almost 60 million in 10,000 different shades and shapes, every year.

Liechtenstein has one of the highest GDP per capita – $165,028, in the world. The unemployment rate here was estimated to be only 1.70% in 2018, which is among the lowest in the world. Also, the country has a debt to GDP ratio of only 0.5%.

The lake is surrounded by dense forests and is located at an altitude of 435 m above sea level, in the Bendern–Gamprin village. Fresh water and oxygen is supplied by a pipe from a nearby inland canal.

The Gampriner Seele is the only lake in the country, which was created because of the flooding of Rhine River in 1927.

The Liechtensteinerinnen (female residents) got the right to vote in national elections only after 1986, which was approved in 1984. It was the last European country to do so.

The country has made some noteworthy achievement in the Olympics. It has won 10 medals over the years and all of them revolve around the sport – Alpine skiing.

The whole nation takes lunch breaks at 1.30 PM. Residents aren’t allowed to mow their lawns or engage in any other noisy activity. It’s actually relaxation time and residents are expected to do exactly that. Probably why it’s one of the happiest countries isn’t it?