Liechtenstein
Table of Contents: Cities / Culture and History / History / Economy / Geography / Climate / Travel to Liechtenstein, visa requirements Flights to Liechtenstein, airtickets By train By car / Get around / Talk / Shopping, Liechtenstein souvenirs / Costs / Good restaurants and cheap meals / Liechtenstein nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs. / Liechtenstein attractions and sightseeing / Hotels, youth hostels, lodging / Learn / Work / Stay safe / Stay healthy / Respect / Contact More from Central Europe: Austria, Carpathian Mountains, Czech Republic, Germany, Giant Mountains, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Poland, Silesia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sudetes, Switzerland, Tatra Mountains More from Europe: Alps, Central Europe, Danube, Eastern Europe, European Union, Mediterranean Europe, Rhine, Western Europe |
Liechtenstein [1] is a tiny country between Switzerland and Austria.
Cities
Culture and History
History
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. However, shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight have resulted in concerns about the use of the financial institutions for money laundering.
Economy
Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial service sector and living standards on a par with the urban areas of its large European neighbors. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of small businesses. Low business taxes -- the maximum tax rate is 20% -- and easy incorporation rules have induced a large number of holding or so-called letter box companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. It imports more than 90% of its energy requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between European Free Trade Association {EFTA} and EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated Europe.
Geography
Liechtenstein is very mountainous and one of the world's two doubly-landlocked countries. Most of the country's population lives in the Rhine Valley in the western third. The country's highest point is Grauspitz, which stretches to 2,599m.
An excellent guide book to the mountains, Harry's Mountain Walks in Liechtenstein, can be obtained from [2] Trafford
Climate
Liechtenstein has a continental climate featuring cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain, making the country a moderately popular ski destination. Summers are cool to moderately warm, also often cloudy and humid.
Travel to Liechtenstein, visa requirements
Liechtenstein maintains a complete customs union with Switzerland and hence does not issue its own visas: if you can enter Switzerland, you can enter Liechtenstein, and there are no border formalities needed for crossing between the two countries. Stamp hunters can, however, get an authentic Liechtenstein entry stamp in their passport at Vaduz's tourist office for €1.50. The stamp is also available at the Liechtensteines Landesmuseum.. This is the same entry stamp received (for free) when entering Liechtenstein from Austria - although the border guards do not always stamp your passport if entering via Feldkirch.
Flights to Liechtenstein, airtickets
Liechtenstein has no airports due to the size of the country. You can take a flight to the Zurich Airport (115 km). Although the airport was the only major airport near Liechtenstein, there were some limited services from Vienna to St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport (53 km) by Austrian Arrows. There was also a private airport in Bad Ragaz, very near the country.
By train
SBB has been continually providing a limited service from Buchs SG station in Switzerland, to the Schaan-Vaduz station near Schaan. Trains only run in several times a day.
By car
Swiss highway A13/E34 runs along the Rhine river, the border between Switzerland and Liechtenstein. There are a couple of bridges into Vaduz from Switzerland. Parking spaces are relatively easy to come by. There is also a parking garage located on the main street of Vaduz. Drive carefully on some of the winding mountain roads!
Get around
If you don't have your vehicle, the best way to get around Liechtenstein is bus. The country's sole operator is LBA and fares are amazingly cheap, as a 7-day unlimited use card costs just CHF 10.
- Harry's Mountain Walks in Liechtenstein The only English language guide to routes up and among Liechtensteins fabulous Alpine peaks; also available in German.
Talk
The national language is Swiss German. This is a different dialect from High German -- which is spoken in Germany and generally regarded as 'proper German'.
Shopping, Liechtenstein souvenirs
Liechtenstein uses the Swiss franc (CHF) as its currency. Many shops will also accept the Euro, but the exchange rate may not be very advantageous.
Costs
Costs in Liechtenstein are equivalent to those in Switzerland, or in a word, expensive.
Good restaurants and cheap meals
You will find a few restaurants in the larger cities of Liechtenstein. There is also a McDonald's restaurant-signs point to it up to 3000m away!. The many small bakeries are a great place to get a warm, fresh roll or pastry.
Liechtenstein nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
There is a small amount of wine that is produced in Liechtenstein that is available in supermarkets and tourist shops throughout the country. Expect to pay around 25 Swiss Francs for an average bottle. Beer is also available for purchase that is made with malt from Liechtenstein, although the beer itself is brewed in Switzerland. A variety of other European wines, beers, and soft drinks are also available.
Liechtenstein attractions and sightseeing
- Liechtenstein Tourism (official site)
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
There are a few hotels in Liechtenstein, but they tend to run on the expensive side. There is one youth hostel [3] located in Schaan, but it closes for the winter. You will probably be able to find cheaper accommodation in neighboring Feldkirch, Austria.
Camping Mittagspitz is the only campsite in the Principality. It offers excellent facilities, a friendly reception and a fabulous reasonably priced restaurant. The campsite was used by the author Lloyd P Clark and his Smooth Fox Terrier, Harry, whilst writing Harry's Mountain Walks in Liechtenstein. [4]
Learn
Work
Stay safe
Stay healthy
Respect
Remember that this is a traditional Catholic country. On a Sunday the streets are all but dead except for the tourists and the tourist shops.
Contact
More from Central Europe: Austria, Carpathian Mountains, Czech Republic, Germany, Giant Mountains, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Poland, Silesia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sudetes, Switzerland, Tatra Mountains More from Europe: Alps, Central Europe, Danube, Eastern Europe, European Union, Mediterranean Europe, Rhine, Western Europe |
China travel tips: Language / pensions culture in Barcelona / cheap youth hostels singapore / hotels and hostels in Trastevere in Rome / Major Morocco tourist attractions / South Africa political attractions / Vancouver visitors guide, culture & youth hostels / Las Vegas hotels, top casinos, tours and shows
