In 2002, Liechtenstein was a small landlocked country located between Austria and Switzerland with an area of only 160 square kilometers and a population of around 33,000 people. According to computerannals, the capital of Liechtenstein was Vaduz and its official language was German. The landscape in Liechtenstein featured mountains, valleys, plateaus and forests which were surrounded by Switzerland on all sides. The climate in Liechtenstein was mostly mild with temperatures ranging from -2°C to 30°C throughout the year. Natural resources included timber, hydropower and arable land. The economy in Liechtenstein relied heavily on its financial sector which accounted for over 50% of GDP as well as supplying over 80% of export revenues and government income. Furthermore the country also had a small manufacturing sector which supplied goods for local consumption as well as a growing tourism industry due to its scenic landscape which made it attractive for visitors to come explore the country’s natural beauty. In 2002 there were still many challenges facing Liechtenstein; poverty levels remained high due to a lack of economic diversification away from financial services and low wages for workers in other industries such as manufacturing or services. Despite these issues in 2002 Liechtenstein had made significant progress since gaining independence from Germany in 1866; it had established a constitutional monarchy with free elections and had joined international organizations such as the United Nations (UN) and Council of Europe (COE).
Yearbook 2002
Liechtenstein. According to Countryaah website, national day of Liechtenstein is every August 15. The status of the prosperous principality as a tax haven has been increasingly questioned over a number of years. Following previous criticism, Liechtenstein had made some changes and, among other things, sharpened its measures against the laundering of black money. But in April, the country ended up on the OECD’s list of countries accused of still being too reluctant to increase transparency in banking operations. The designated countries are threatened by sanctions from 2003.
The EU also pushed for information exchange on foreign-owned bank accounts, but Liechtenstein and other small states awaited tough negotiations between Switzerland and the Union.
Country data
Area: 160 km2 (world ranking: 191)
Population: 38,000
Population density: 238 per km2 (as of 2017, world ranking: 191)
Capital: Vaduz
Official languages: German
Gross domestic product: CHF 6.1 billion; nominal increase: 1.4%
Gross national product (GNP, per resident and year): n / a
Currency: 1 Swiss franc (sfr) = 100 cents
Embassy
Mohrenstr. 42, 10117 Berlin
Telephone 030 52000630,
Fax 030 52000631 www.berlin.liechtenstein.li
Government
Head of State: Hans-Adam II., Head of Government: Adrian Hasler, Outside: Aurelia Frick
National Day: 15.8. (Birthday of the former Prince Franz Josef II.)
Administrative structure
11 municipalities
State and form of government
Constitution of 1921
Parliamentary monarchy
State religion: Catholicism
Economic and monetary community with Switzerland
Parliament (Landtag) with 25 members, election every 4 years
Suffrage from 18 J.
Population of: Liechtenstein
residents, last census 2010: 36,475 residents. Proportion of foreigners 2016: 33.8% (mainly Swiss, Austrians, Germans, Italians)
Cities (with population): (2017) Schaan 6039 residents, Vaduz 5521, Triesen 5155, Balzers 4591, Eschen 4387, Mauren 4344, Triesenberg 2608, Ruggell 2268, Gamprin 1658, Schellenberg 1084, Planken 456
Religions: 76% Catholics, 8% Protestants, 5% Muslims and others; 5% non-denominational (as of 2006)
Languages: German; Alemannic dialect
Employed by economic sector: Agriculture. 1%, industry 38%, business 61% (2016)
Unemployment (in% of all labor force): 2017: 1.9%
Inflation rate (in%): 2017: 0.5%
Foreign trade: Import: CHF 1.980 billion (2017); Export: CHF 3.4 billion (2017)
HISTORY
The political situation of the country since 1978 has been characterized by the presence of coalition governments led by the leader of the Patriotic Union H. Brunhart, and only since 1993 has it begun to undergo some changes. In the February legislative elections, for the first time, a third party, the Free List (of ecological inspiration), was represented in Parliament by two deputies, while the Patriotic Union obtained 11 and the Progressive Citizens’ Party 12 (since 1989 the number of parliamentarians had been increased from 15 to 25). The main exponent of the latter group, M. Buchel, formed a new executive in May, which a few months later went into crisis, following a motion of no confidence presented by members of his own party, critical of the style of government of the Prime Minister considered excessively personalistic.
After the dissolution of Parliament and new elections, which took place in October 1993, the Patriotic Union regained the leadership of the government, having obtained 13 seats against the 11 of the Progressive Citizens’ Party (the Free List got only one deputy). Its new leader, M. Frick, formed a coalition cabinet that promoted the accession of the Liechtenstein to the European Economic Area (SEE), which took place in May 1995 following the results of a referendum, and led the country until subsequent consultations. policies, which took place in February 1997. These, while not leading to significant changes in the composition of Parliament (one less seat for the Progressive Citizens’ Party and one more for environmentalists), were followed by the breaking of the decades-long alliance between the two main parties and by the formation, in April, of a single-color cabinet, the first since 1938, of the Patriotic Union, led by Frick himself. The basis of this solution was, beyond the personal rivalry between Frick and the opposing leader N. Seeger, precisely the electoral outcome, which had convinced the Progressive Citizens’ Party not to enter a new coalition and to place itself in the opposition, with the aim of acquiring a distinct and visible center-right position.
