Liechtenstein47.11° N, 9.56° E
Only 14.6% of people here live in a city — the 222nd lowest of 225 countries.
urban population 14.6% · 222nd/225
CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · ranks computed across the countries in this atlas that carry the value
geometry: Natural Earth 1:50m · EPSG:6933 equal-area
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Named after the Liechtenstein family, the country takes its name from the family that purchased and united the counties of Schellenburg and Vaduz in 1719. The family name came from its Austrian castle of the same name, whose German meaning is "light stone".
Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person
Established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719, the Principality of Liechtenstein became a sovereign state in 1806. French and Russian troops occupied it during the Napoleonic Wars, before it joined the German Confederation in 1815. When the German Confederation dissolved in 1866, Liechtenstein became fully independent. It remained closely tied to Austria until the end of World War I. The economic devastation caused by that conflict forced Liechtenstein to enter a customs and monetary union with Switzerland.
Liechtenstein remained neutral during World War II, and since then its low taxes have spurred outstanding economic growth. In 2000, shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight resulted in concerns about the use of financial institutions for money laundering. However, Liechtenstein implemented anti-money-laundering legislation and a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the US, which went into effect in 2003.
Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person
A continental climate brings cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain, followed by cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers.
Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person
Its form of government is a constitutional monarchy. The legal system is a civil law system influenced by Swiss, Austrian, and German law. The latest constitution was adopted 5 October 1921. The Principality of Liechtenstein was established on 23 January 1719. It became independent from the Holy Roman Empire on 12 July 1806 and from the German Confederation on 24 August 1866. Its National Day is 15 August (1940).
Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person
CIA World Factbook
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Population · Natural Earth