Ever since 1940, the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein celebrates its National Day every 15th of August. This year, it is celebrating its 300th anniversary since it was elevated to the status of imperial principality on 23 January 1719, triggering a success story for this tiny territory. Today, Liechtenstein is one of the most heavily industrialised countries in the world, has the highest per capita GDP, and is one of only five countries which have no government debt. Join in on these special jubilee anniversary celebrations with some curious facts you might not about the country.
1 – In its last military engagement in 1866, during the Austro-Prussian war, none of its 80 soldiers was killed or injured. In fact, 81 returned – including a new Italian friend made along the way. The army was disbanded soon afterwards.
2 – Liechtenstein and Haiti independently and unknowingly developed identical national flags. It was only at the opening ceremony of the 1936 Olympic games, Liechtenstein’s first time participating, that the two countries realised they were competing under the same flag. This prompted Liechtenstein to add the crown found in their current flag a year later, in 1937. Also the national anthem is similar to another country’s: Liechtenstein uses the same melody as the UK’s God Save the Queen.
3 – Because of its low business and corporate tax rates, Liechtenstein has almost double the number of registered businesses than people living there. There are over 70 thousand companies for only 37 thousand inhabitants.
4 – Liechtenstein only recognised and established diplomatic relations with the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 2009. This was due to an international dispute concerning the expropriation of estates of its princely family in these countries.
5 – It takes a whopping 30 years of residence to be naturalised as a citizen. But don’t worry, there’s a shortcut: the local community must vote in favour of granting you citizenship in a local referendum. You must then get the green light from the Parliament, and finally gain the Prince’s consent. Easy peasy!
6 – With an average of one medal per 3647 citizens, it has the most overall Olympic medals per capita of any country. All of their 10 Olympic medals have been won in the same sport – alpine skiing – and 7 of those were won by members of the same family! It is also the only country to have won medals at the Winter Olympic Games but never at the Summer ones.
7 – The crime rate is so low that the average Liechtenstein resident reportedly doesn’t even lock their front door. Its national prison capacity is of only 20 people – currently half of that space is in occupation. Prisoners sentenced to more than two years’ imprisonment are sent to Austrian or Swiss prisons, as this tiny country doesn’t have the resources or space to host them.
8 – It’s the world’s largest producer and exporter of false teeth, accounting for more than 20% of the total sales worldwide and 40% of the sales in Europe. The local company Ivoclar Vivadent produces over 60 million dentures every year.
9 – In 2011, you could rent the whole country of Liechtenstein for EUR 50,000 a night. The scheme 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.
10 – Liechtenstein’s capital, Vaduz, is not the largest city in the country. The crown goes to the mostly unheard-of town of Schaan, which holds a little over 500 more people than Vaduz.
Hey. Hey. If you want to go to Liechtenstein you must know.
The level of urbanization in Liechtenstein is particularly low, which may be a sign of economic problems. Lack of employment opportunities or urban resources can help reduce urbanization.
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