Liechtenstein

Geography

Economics

Demographics

Military

Politics

Surface

Surface (in square kilometers)

Surface (in square miles)

Surface (water)

Water Surface (in square kilometers)

Water Surface (in square miles)

Share of water (%)

Temperature

Average temperature (in Celcius)

Average temperature (in Farenheit)

Average high temperature (in Celcius)

Average high temperature (in Farenheit)

Average low temperature (in Celcius)

Average low temperature (in Farenheit)

Rainfall

Average rainfall (mm)

Average rainfall (inch)

Distance to other capitals (kilometers)

Distance to other capitals (miles)

Proximity

Economic organizations

Gross Domestic Product (US$)

Gross Domestic Product per capita

Amount of memberships (economic organizations)

Absolute earnings for every 1$

Relative earnings

GDP in PPP per capita (in US$)

GDP in PPP per capita

Gross Domestic product (in million US$)

GDP per capita (in US$)

Surface GDP

GDP per square kilometer (in US$)

GDP per square mile(in US$)

Relative GDP in PPP

Population

Population density

Emigration

Immigration

Literacy

Health

Population density (in km2)

Population density (in mi2)

Religion

Christianity (share of the total population)

Islam (share of the total population)

Buddhism (share of the total population)

Hinduism (share of the total population)

Judaism (share of the total population)

Other religions (share of the total population)

Non-religious (share of the total population)

Military spending (in % of GDP)

Military spending

Liechtenstein has no military budget

In 1868, Liechtenstein abolished its Army. Since then, it has become dependent on the military protection provided by Switzerland.

Military membership

Liechtenstein is member of three international military organizations which makes it the 163rd most connected state in the world. It is a member of the following organizations:

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
International Atomic Energy Agency

Military membership

International wars

Since its independence, Liechtenstein has fought in one war. This is:

Napoleonic Wars 1803-1815

Number of international wars fought

Military spending (in US$ million)

Membership (international political organizations)

Liechtenstein is the least politically interconnected state in the world, as it is a member of five international political organizations. It is a member of the following organizations:

Member state of the United Nations
International Labour Organization
the Council of Europe
International Criminal Court
Interpol
Western European and Others Group

Political Membership

Democracy/dictatorship rating

Because of a mix between a monarchy and a direct democracy, Liechtenstein is characterized as a semi democratic state as well as a monarchy.

Democracy/Dictatorship

The politics of Liechtenstein are considered to be a mixed system. On the one hand, there is a direct democracy in the form of referendums and popular initiatives. On the other hand, Liechtenstein is considered to be a monarchy with the Prince of Liechtenstein being able to the veto the decisions of the people.

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With its name derived from the royal family, Liechtenstein, which translates to a light stone from German, is one of the smallest states in the world. After becoming an independent principality of the holy Roman empire in 1719, it became part of the German Confederation after the dissolution of the holy Roman empire in 1815. Nearly 50 years later, Liechtenstein became a fully independent state. Since then, Liechtenstein managed to remain neutral during both world wars and has had a different path compared to other European states with it being the last European state that granted women voting rights in 1984 and a minority that has the most influence on politics within Europe. .

The geography of Liechtenstein mainly consists of high mountains that are located on the Swiss Alps. The terrain mainly consists of densely forested areas with the exception of its low-lying valleys that are located on the west and the northwestern part of Liechtenstein. Being a landlocked state, it borders Switzerland to the west and Austria to the east.

It is the 189th largest state in the world with 161 square kilometers or 62 square miles. This makes Liechtenstein slightly larger than San Marino and slightly smaller than the Marshall Islands.

It has a total water surface area of 13 square kilometers or 5 square miles. This makes Liechtenstein the 185th largest state in the world.

Below, a graph is shown which displays the absolute amount of water of each state in square kilometers and square miles.

Liechtenstein has an abundance of water with the Rhine River being the largest body of water which runs along most of the border with Switzerland. Other sources of water mainly come from smaller rivers that are being supplied by rainfall that drops down its mountains.

The climate of Liechtenstein is considered to be an Alpine climate with moderate summers and cold winters. Because of its high elevation, Liechtenstein enjoys regular snowfall that lasts from November to March. The average temperature is 7.7 degrees Celsius or 45.9 degrees Fahrenheit which makes Liechtenstein the 171st warmest state in the world.

During the summer period, the average temperature is 13.7 degrees Celsius or 56.7 degrees Fahrenheit.

During its winter, the average temperature is 5.6 degrees Celsius or 42.1 degrees Fahrenheit.

Most of its rainfall occurs in the form of snow. The month with the highest amount of rainfall is February which it receives 30 percent of the annual rainfall. On average, Liechtenstein receives 92.7 centimetres or 36.5 inches of rainfall per year which makes it the 106th state with the highest amount of rainfall.

The capital of Liechtenstein, Vaduz is home to approximately 5000 people. The capital that is closest located to Vaduz is Bern, Switzerland with a distance of 161 kilometers or 100 miles. The capital that is furthest removed from Vaduz is Wellington New Zealand with a distance of 18,671 kilometers or 11,602 miles.

Because of its small size, Liechtenstein has limited natural resources. Despite this, Liechtenstein has a strong agricultural sector and a services sector of which the banking industry is the largest. The majority of its trade is done with Switzerland's with whom it has a free trade agreement. Most exported goods are machinery, food and dental products.

Liechtenstein is a member of five international economic organizations which makes it the 189th most connected state in the world. It is a member of the following organizations:

Council of Europe Development Bank
International Monetary Fund
World Trade Organization
Energy Charter Treaty
International Renewable Energy Agency

Its GDP is the 155th highest in the world with US$6.8 billion representing 0.008 percent of total global GDP.

Its GDP per surface area, however, is the sixth highest in the world with US$42.3 million per square kilometer or US$109.1 million per square mile.

Its GDP per capita is the second highest in the world with US$177,665 per capita.

The absolute earnings (GDP per capita) reflect the average yearly income. The figure below shows how much, on average, an inhabitant of another state earns for every $1 earned by a citizen of this state.

Its purchasing power is the highest in the world and stands at US$139,100.

The relative Gross Domestic Product in Purchasing Power Parity compares the purchasing power of this state with that of the rest of the world. The graph on the left shows how much purchasing power of 1$ compared to the purchasing power of other states

With 38,262 people, Liechtenstein is the 190th most populous state in the world. The majority of its population are ethnic Liechtensteiners that descended from local German tribes. Its official language is therefore also German, but with a large dialectic of variation. The vast majority in Liechtenstein lives in rural areas which makes Liechtenstein the least urbanized state in the world. The minorities in Liechtenstein are mainly of Turkish and Italian descent.

It has the 42nd highest population density in the world with 612 people per square mile or 237 people per square kilometer.

Emigration from Liechtenstein is represented by less than 500 people, or 1.3 percent of the total population. The most popular destinations are Austria and Switzerland.

Around 700, or two percent of the population people have immigrated to Liechtenstein. These are mainly low skilled migrant workers that are needed in the economy of Liechtenstein.

Education in Liechtenstein is free and compulsory between the ages of six and 15. Its educational system is based on the Swiss educational system, but has the kindergarten as optional. With a literacy rate of 99.6 percent, Liechtenstein is the most literate state in the world.

Healthcare in Liechtenstein is universal and provided by private healthcare providers which are funded by the state. Despite having one of the highest GDP per capita, the health care system in Liechtenstein is considered to be average. The largest threats to health are obesity and encefalitis.

The state of Liechtenstein provides freedom of religion towards all beliefs and considers the protection of religious interests of its citizens as a priority.

The majority of Liechtensteiners, 76.7 percent, adhere to Christianity with Catholicism being the largest denomination. This makes Liechtenstein the 67th most Christian state in the world. Catholicism is also the official state religion of Liechtenstein and requires religious education of Catholicism in its educational system.

With 5.1 percent of the population adhering to Islam, Liechtenstein is the 94th most Islamic state in the world. The majority of the population adheres to the Sunni denomination. Most Muslims in Liechtenstein originate from Turkey and Kosovo. Despite having freedom of religion, state of Liechtenstein only allows one imam within its borders and requires moderate speeches within its mosque.

There are less than 100 Buddhists which represents 0.07 percent of the population. All Buddhists are located in the capital Vaduz and which has one Buddhist center.

There are no official Hindu organizations in Liechtenstein.

Because of its neutrality during the second world war, Jews found refuge in Liechtenstein. After the second world war most Jews migrated to other states, namely Israel. Today, less than 50 people adhere to Judaism in Liechtenstein which represents less than 0.01 percent of the total population.

Other religions are represented by 0.15 percent of the population. This is mainly in the form of neopaganism.

Irreligion is represented by 1.98 percent of the population.

Liechtenstein