| Liechtenstein | |
| Capital city | Vaduz |
| Surface | 160 km² |
| Population | 38,000 |
| Road network length | 250 km |
| Length of highway network | 0 km |
| First highway | N/A |
| Motorway name | Autobahn |
| Traffic drives | Right |
| License plate code | FL |
Liechtenstein, formally the Principality of Liechtenstein (German: Fürstentum Liechtenstein), is a mini-state in Central Europe. The country has 38,000 inhabitants and the capital is Vaduz. The largest city is Schaan.
Geography
According to ABBREVIATIONFINDER, Liechtenstein is a microstate in the Alps, sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria. Liechtenstein measures 25 kilometers from north to south and 12 kilometers from west to east. The country consists of the east bank of the river Rhine and the mountain ranges on the border with Austria. The highest point is the Grauspitz with 2,599 meters altitude. Due to the high mountains, a considerable part of the land area is not easily accessible.
Demographics
Liechtenstein is the third smallest country in Europe in terms of population. See Liechtenstein population density. The capital Vaduz is centrally located in the country and has 5,100 inhabitants. The largest place Schaan has 5,800 inhabitants. A third of the inhabitants are foreigners, mainly from Switzerland, Germany and Austria. Two thirds of the employees are foreign. In Liechtenstein people speak German, in a dialect that differs greatly from the standard Hochdeutsch. The spoken language is closely related to Schwyzerdütsch (the common variant of Hochdeutsch in Switzerland).
Economy
The country has a customs and monetary union with Switzerland. The country uses the Swiss Franc (CHF) as its currency. Its per capita GDP is one of the highest in the world, with a 2018 nominal GDP of $143,000 per capita. As of December 19, 2011, the border controls for passenger traffic with Austria have been lifted. Goods are still being checked.
History
The Principality of Liechtenstein came into existence in 1718 when the Liechtenstein family – which originated in Lower Austria – sought land to obtain representation in the Diet of the Holy Roman Empire. The purchase of the land around Vaduz was primarily a means for the family to gain influence, none of the princes visited their territory in the 100 years after. After the fall of the Holy Roman Empire, there was no higher leader to influence it, it was then under the rule of France under Napoleon until 1813. From 1815 Liechtenstein belonged to the German Confederation. It took until 1819 before a prince of the House of Liechtenstein actually came into their own territory, the next visit did not follow until 1842.
Liechtenstein was closely linked to the Empire of Austria and Austria-Hungary until the end of the First World War. The Princes of Liechtenstein obtained their income mainly from Habsburg and spent most of their time in Vienna, so that the country of Liechtenstein was hardly visited by their own leaders. In 1938 Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany, Prince Franz Josef then moved permanently to Liechtenstein. More than 200 years after the principality was created, it was actually inhabited by the princes of the House of Liechtenstein. Liechtenstein remained neutral during World War II and created close ties with Switzerland during this period. After World War II, Liechtenstein was in financial trouble, but from the ‘
Road Network
The country has a small road network that has single carriageways between the villages and towns. There is approximately 250 kilometers of paved road. There is a through route from Austria to Switzerland. Traffic in Liechtenstein often uses the A13 in Switzerland which runs parallel to the border, especially for north-south traffic this is a faster route. The road network is limited in the mountain areas, with only one real mountain road to Malbun at 1,600 meters altitude. This road also has Liechtenstein’s longest tunnel, the 740m Tunnel Gnalp-Steg which opened in 1947.
Signage
The signage is the same as in Switzerland.
Road numbering
There are no numbered roads in Liechtenstein, but the Swiss Hauptstrasse 16 administratively runs through Liechtenstein.
Road safety
| Year | Road fatalities |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
The number of road deaths in Liechtenstein is so low that the statistical office does not distinguish between road deaths and injuries.
