LIECHTENSTEIN
Location:
Liechtenstein lies on the east bank of the Rhine River, between Austria and Switzerland.
Its total area is 160 square kilometres.
Population:
30,281 (July, 1994 estimate)
Languages:
German (official), Alemannic dialect
Government:
Liechtenstein's government is a hereditary constitutional monarchy.
Legal System:
Liechtenstein's legal system is based on local civil and penal codes. It accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations.
Telecommunications:
Liechtenstein has a limited, but sufficient automatic telephone system. It is
linked to Swiss networks by cable and radio relay for international telephone,
radio and TV services.
Economy:
The prosperous economy is based primarily on small-scale light industry and tourism.
Industry accounts for 53% of total employment, the service sector 45% (mostly based on
tourism) and agriculture and forestry 2%. The sale of postage stamps to collectors is
estimated at $10 million annually. Low business taxes (the maximum tax rate is 20%)
and easy incorporation rules have induced about 25,000 holding or so-called letter box
companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein. Such companies, incorporated
solely for tax purposes, provide 30% of state revenues. The economy is tied closely to
Switzerland's economy in a customs union, and incomes and living standards parallel
those of the more prosperous Swiss.
Industries:
Liechtenstein's main industries are electronics, metal manufacturing, textiles, ceramics,
pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments and tourism.
Currency:
1 Swiss franc, franken, or franco (SwF) = 100 centimes, rappen, or centesimi
Exchange Rates:
Swiss francs, franken, or franchi (SwF) per US$1 - 1.4715 (January, 1994)
Related sites:
Hotels And Resorts In Liechtenstein
To the Offshore World home page.
To the Offshore Financial Centres page.