My Travel Diaries from the Principality of
Liechtenstein
Summary
Currency: Swiss Francs
Capital: Vaduz
Drink like a local: Alpagold (Lager beer)
Special Facts:
- On the list of the smallest countries in the world, Liechtenstein is in sixth place with almost 160 square kilometers and almost 40,000 inhabitants.
- In 1936, the flag of the Principality of Liechtenstein was changed. This decision came after an embarrassing situation at the 1936 Olympics, when it suddenly became clear that the flags of Liechtenstein and Haiti were completely identical.
- There has not been a single murder recorded in Liechtenstein for over a decade. The general crime rate here tends to be zero.
- There are around 100 police employees in the country.
- On average, fewer than 10 people are in prison in the country every year.
- These prison inmates are fed through a restaurant because the prison administration has determined that this is cheaper than setting up a kitchen and hiring kitchen staff.
- About a third of all residents are foreigners – mainly Austrians and Swiss.
- About 10% of the principality’s income comes from the sale of stamps to collectors.
- At times it was possible to rent the entire land for $70,000!
- Liechtenstein is one of the countries with the highest per capita income in the world.
- Liechtenstein is not a democracy, but an absolutist monarchy!
- There are more bicycles in Liechtenstein than cars and motorcycles combined.
Language
German is spoken in the Principality of Liechtenstein. It is the only country where German is the national language and does not have a border with Germany. There is a mix of Swiss German and Austrian German due to the borders and residents from both neighboring countries.
- Good day – Grüezi
- Can I open an account with you? – Cha ich bei ihnen ein Konto eröffnen?
- What time is it?- Wie schpot isch es?
- How are you doing? – Wiä gohts der?
- Did you understand that? – Häsch es tschägget?
Currency
The Swiss franc is stable and expensive. The country’s prince is one of the richest people in the world, but his subjects are also doing well, even though they have no political say in the country. In practice, they only have to pay very low taxes. This of course attracts companies and wealthy individuals. The company “Hilti” is an international player in the construction supplies sector. Otherwise, stamps and casinos in the country are very profitable.
My Lesson:
Liechtenstein, that is mountains, stamps and casinos
Travel Diaries
Many years ago I was in Liechtenstein with my family, but I didn’t remember much. Casinos, stamp shops and the prince’s fortress above the small capital Vaduz. This is my vague memory of Liechtenstein.
Now I’m an adult and getting to know Liechtenstein again. The places I used to see as a child are suddenly not as far away as they seemed back then. And unknown areas are now easily accessible – with the Tiger!
