Learn about origins, history, geography, basics, culture, traditions, politics, economy, tourism, business etiquette and fun facts of Liechtenstein.

1. Liechtenstein

2. Liechtenstein is a German-speaking, 25km-long
principality between Austria and Switzerland.
It’s known for its medieval castles, alpine
landscapes and villages linked by a network of
trails.

3. Origins
• Political identity came to the territory, now occupied by
the Principality of Liechtenstein, in 814, with the formation of
the sub country of Lower Rhætia. Liechtenstein's borders have
remained unchanged since 1434, when the Rhine established
the border between the Holy Roman Empire and
the Swiss cantons.
• A Roman road crossed the region from south to north,
traversing the Alps by the Splügen Pass and following the right
bank of the Rhine at the edge of the floodplain, for long
uninhabited because of periodic flooding. Roman villas have
been excavated in nearby regions.

4. Liechtenstein in Europe
Political map
Liechtenstein
Boundary

5. World view

6. Introduction
• Area : 160 sq. Km. [Even after this, it is 81 times greater
than Monaco.]
• Currency : Swiss Franc.
• Capital : Vaduz
• Population : 38,022.
• Liechtenstein is sixth smallest independent country. It
is mountainous and one of the world's two doubly-
landlocked countries along with Uzbekistan.
• The religion in Liechtenstein is
predominantly Catholic, with a minority of
Protestants, non-adherents, and adherents of other
religions. Liechtenstein has a
small Muslim population, composed mainly of
immigrants from countries like Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Serbia, and Turkey.

7. Introduction

8. Frederick I
Charlemagne Charles IV
Anton Florian Francis II Napoleon Bonaparte

9. History
• After the reign of Charlemagne(800-814) and later
Fredrick Barbarossa(1122-1190) over holy roman
empire, Charles VI(1685-1740) became the holy
roman emperor.
• In 1718, he granted this principality to Anton Florian
of Liechtenstein. This move seems purely political as
the princes never visited it for almost a century.
• The last holy roman emperor(1768-1835) abdicated
in 1806 when Napoleon Bonaparte(1769-1821)
crushed the empire and thus Liechtenstein was free,
though not for long.

10. History
• Liechtenstein gained its freedom from France
in 1815 and joined German confederation
shortly after.
• In 1818, it got limited constitution and first
visit by its prince.
• In 1868, after the German confederacy
dissolved, it disbanded its army of 80 men and
declared neutrality.

11. Quick Fact
• Liechtenstein country takes its name from the
Liechtenstein family, rather than vive versa,
which in turn takes its name from
Liechtenstein castle in lower Austria, which it
still owns.

12. Castle Liechtenstein in Lower Austria, ancestral seat,
now family museum

13. Culture and Tradition
• Liechtenstein celebrates its national holiday on 15th August. This national
celebration was introduced in 1940 . On this day thousands of locals and
tourists attend a large fair held in the capital, Vaduz.
• The driving down of cattle at the end of the summer from grazing pastures
high in the Alps may no longer be the major event it once was, but it is still
well worth a visit to marvel at the elaborate decoration of the cows and
hear their bells ringing as they make their way down into the valley
• The tradition of selecting grapes for making wine is known in Liechtenstein
as "Wimmlete", a term also used to refer to the grape harvest itself
• Funkensonntag" (literally "Bonfire Sunday") is celebrated throughout
Liechtenstein on the Sunday after Ash Wednesday by lighting a large
bonfire
• At the legendary Donkey Festival in Malbun there are only winners. Yet
one question remains: who is the most stubborn – man or beast? A visit to
the entertaining popular Malbun festival.

16. Tourism
Schellenberg Castle

17. Politics
• Liechtenstein is a principality governed under
a constitutional monarchy. There is a two-
party system and a form of representative
democracy in which Prime minister and head
of state is responsible to the parliament.

18. • Prime Minister : Adrian Hasler
• Head of state : Prince Hans Adam II
• Hereditary Prince : Alois
Vaduz Castle
Parliament

19. Business Etiquettes
• Meetings are done by appointment and not spontaneously.
Punctuality is a must.
• Dress well, but modestly; since ostentatious displays of wealth isn’t
appreciated. They appreciate clothing that is simple, clean, well
pressed, and in good condition.
• Do not interrupt your colleagues with remarks or comments. Wait
until they have exhausted their point of view and then offer yours,
and only if asked.
• Safe topics : Travel, Cuisine, Winter sports. Topics to avoid :
Neutrality during World War, Role during World War, Voting rights
for women and any Personal questions.
• Try to finish everything on your plate; it is rude to leave leftovers.
• Use utensils at all times. Do not use your hands except for breaking
bread.
• Female businesspersons should reflect before offering to pay for a
male colleague's meal since they are traditional and most men will
view the offer as impudent.
• Fidgeting, moving hands and making sweeping gestures are
considered rude. A firm hand shake with a good eye contact is
appreciated.

20. Economy
• The population is amongst the world’s most prosperous with
unemployment rate as down as 1.5%
• Liechtenstein is a member of EFTA, and joined the European
Economic Area (EEA) in 1995 in order to benefit from
the EU internal market. The capitalist economy and tax system
make Liechtenstein a safe, trustworthy, and success-oriented
place for private and business purposes.
• Financial services are main component of the economy. Dairy
and arable farming account for the bulk of agriculture. The
manufacturing industry processes and recycles metals,
producing machine tools and precision instruments.
• Besides its efficient industry, there also is a strong services
sector. Four out of 10 employees work in the services sector, a
relatively high proportion of whom are foreigners.
• About 32% of the country's revenues are invested in research
and development, one of the driving forces of the success of
Liechtenstein's economy.

21. Economy
• Exports Commodities: Small specialty
machinery, dental products, stamps, hardware
and pottery
• Partners : US, UK, France, Italy, Austria,
Taiwan, Japan, Switzerland and Germany.
• Imports Commodities: agricultural products,
raw materials, machinery, metal goods,
textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles
• Partners: member states of the European
Union, Switzerland, Germany and the US.

22. • The Principality of Liechtenstein is also known as
an important financial centre, primarily because
it specializes in financial services for foreign
entities. The country's low tax rate, loose
incorporation and corporate governance rules,
and traditions of strict bank secrecy have
contributed significantly to the ability of financial
intermediaries in Liechtenstein to attract funds
from outside the country's borders. The same
factors made the country attractive and
vulnerable to money launderers, although late
2009 legislation has strengthened regulatory
oversight of illicit funds transfers

23. FUN FACTS

24. 1. THERE’S VERY LITTLE CRIME.
Liechtenstein has one of the world’s lowest
crime rates, with its last murder occurring in
approximately 1997 and its prison holding
very few inmates. Citizens who are given
prison sentences longer than two years are
transferred to Austria.

25. 2. SWITZERLAND ONCE ACCIDENTALLY INVADED
IT.
Switzerland unintentionally invaded Liechtenstein
in March 2007, when about 170 Swiss infantry
soldiers wandered across the unmarked border
for more than a mile into Liechtenstein before
realizing their mistake. (The Swiss soldiers were
armed with assault rifles but no ammo,
incidentally.) Liechtenstein, which has no army of
its own, admits that it didn’t notice the Swiss
invasion and had to be informed that it had
occurred (the country enforces no border control
with Switzerland). Liechtenstein ultimately chose
not to retaliate against its famously neutral
neighbour.

26. 3. ONCE A YEAR, ALL THE RESIDENTS ARE
INVITED TO PARTY IN A CASTLE.
On Liechtenstein’s national holiday, His Serene
Highness Prince Hans-Adam II, the head of
state, and his son, His Serene Highness
Hereditary Prince Alois, invite the residents of
their tiny principality to have a beer in the
garden of Vaduz Castle, the princely ancestral
residence.

27. 4. The story of 80 men
During Austro-Prussian war of 1866,
Liechtenstein sent 80 men to defend the Italian
mountain pass of Tyrol for the Confederacy.
They came back with a befriended Austrian
soldier and thus 81 men came back.

28. 5. AT ONE POINT, YOU COULD RENT THE COUNTRY BY
THE EVENING.
In 2011, you could rent the whole country of
Liechtenstein for $70,000 a night. The scheme, which
was hatched between lodging site Airbnb and
Liechtenstein-based marketing firm Rent a Village by
Xnet, got you accommodation for 150 guests,
customized street signs, a symbolic key to the state, a
wine tasting with Prince Hans-Adam II, and your own
temporary currency. It doesn’t appear that anyone ever
took them up on the deal, although rapper Snoop Dogg
apparently made an attempt in 2010 before the official
scheme was launched, hoping to shoot a video there.
Sadly, he was rebuffed.

30. THANK YOU