Liechtenstein Facts, Liechtenstein Flag -- National Geographic

Fast Facts

Population:: 35,000
Capital:: Vaduz; 5,000
Area:: 160 square kilometers (62 square miles)
Language:: German, Alemannic dialect
Religion:: Roman Catholic, Protestant
Currency:: Swiss franc
Life Expectancy:: 79
GDP per Capita:: U.S. $25,000
Literacy Percent:: 100

Liechtenstein is a tiny independent state between Switzerland and Austria. In 1719 the princely House of Liechtenstein, which still rules this constitutional monarchy, purchased a strip of Rhine floodplain and adjacent mountains. Because of liberal tax policies and banking laws, it counts more companies than citizens.

ECONOMY

Industry: Electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, ceramics, pharmaceuticals
Agriculture: Wheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock
Exports: Small specialty machinery, connectors for audio and video, parts for motor vehicles, dental products

—Text From National Geographic Atlas of the World, Eighth Edition

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