Liechtenstein isn’t really on anyone’s immediate radar because it’s one of the smallest countries in the entire world. However, Liechtenstein does have a very robust culture and history. It’s also an extremely landlocked country between Switzerland and Austria. The best (and most exciting) way to begin to know this principality of just over 38,000 is by learning some fun facts about Liechtenstein. This little European destination is known for its picturesque landscapes, charming villages, and impressive castles. But there are many other unique facts about this double-landlocked principality that might just surprise you.
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Fast Facts About Liechtenstein
Official name: Principality of Liechtenstein
Population: 39,584
Area: ~62 sq miles (about the same as Washington, DC)
Capital city: Vaduz
Major languages: German (Alemannic dialect)
Major religions: 83.2% Christian, 73.4% Catholic
Currency: Swiss Franc
Time zone: UTC+1 (Central European Time)
PLANNING A TRIP TO LIECHTENSTEIN SOON?
Below are some of the best tours, hotels, and more to kickstart your plans!
Popular Tours & Activities in Liechtenstein:
- Llama Hike Through the Liechtenstein Mountains
- 1-Hour Vaduz Tour with a Local
- Explore the Instaworthy Spots of Vaduz with a Local
Top Places to Stay in Liechtenstein:
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13 Fun Facts About Liechtenstein
The Prince Offered to Sell the Country to Bill Gates
In 2001, the Prince tried to push through a series of constitutional reforms — namely, the right to veto and appoint judges. As the debate raged, he threatened to leave and take his family’s holdings with him to Vienna if he didn’t win.
As for Liechtenstein, he said that he’d “sell it to Bill Gates or anyone else who can afford it.” It’s debatable if you can sell a country, but it would have been pretty interesting if this had happened. This is at the top of the list for fun facts about Liechtenstein because it’s just so odd.
PHOTO CREDIT: DepositPhotos.com
Switzerland Accidentally Invaded Liechtenstein
I know what you’re thinking. How does a country get invaded ACCIDENTALLY?
Well, the border between Switzerland and Liechtenstein is open and completely unmarked. As such, there have been several incidents where the Swiss military accidentally entered Liechtenstein.
The most famous was in 2007 when 171 Swiss soldiers took a wrong turn in inclement weather. They didn’t get far before they realized the mistake and turned back. No one in Liechtenstein knew this happened until the Swiss notified them to apologize.
The Liechtenstein government shrugged it off, saying, “No problem, these things happen.” Talk about chill.
PHOTO CREDIT: DepositPhotos.com
You Could Book the Entire Country on Airbnb
Okay, you can’t do this anymore, but in 2011, you could totally book the entire principality of Liechtenstein on Airbnb.
It was listed at $70,000 a day. You’d get accommodations for 150 people, temporary renaming of street signs, a temporary custom-made currency, ceremonial keys, and a wine tasting at the Prince’s estate. For additional fees, you could witness a medieval procession and have a huge wax logo.
The kicker is that no one took advantage of that offer, and I’m sure the residents were happy that no one did.
PHOTO CREDIT: DepositPhotos.com
Its Primary Export is False Teeth
Smile! Ivoclar Vivadent is a company in Liechtenstein that produces 20% of the false teeth in the world. There aren’t many producers of false teeth, and Liechtenstein is pretty small, as stated before. This means that it’s the only country in the world that lists false teeth as one of its primary exports.
Ivoclear produces 60 million sets yearly in more than 10,000 different models, thanks partly to a strong relationship with Bollywood dentists. This is one of the fun facts about Liechtenstein that will have you saying cheese!
PHOTO CREDIT: DepositPhotos.com
Annual Party at the Palace with the Prince
You heard that right. Once a year, on August 15, all the citizens of Liechtenstein are invited to Vaduz Castle for speeches, fireworks, and a beer-and-wine reception in the garden. The Prince hosts the event which takes place on Liechtenstein’s national day, known as Staatsfeiertag.
The government entirely pays for this party, and it makes total sense. The country is definitely small enough and rich enough to host a party of this caliber.
PHOTO CREDIT: DepositPhotos.com
A Moon Landing Wouldn’t Have Happened Without Liechtenstein
Okay, it might still have happened without the country, but during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, NASA could count on a Liechtenstein company’s support. Balzers AG produced a lightweight protective coating that was used on the lunar module shielding the astronauts and their instruments from dangerous cosmic rays.
In gratitude, NASA gave Liechtenstein its national flag that had been on the moon and real moon rocks. These lunar souvenirs can be viewed in Vaduz at the Liechtenstein Treasury or SchatzKammer Liechtenstein.
PHOTO CREDIT: DepositPhotos.com
The Flag Was Once the Same as Haiti
This is more of a fascinating than fun fact, but the Liechtenstein flag was a clone of another country’s flag well into the 20th century and had been in use since 1764.
The funny thing is they weren’t aware that it was already in use until the country showed up at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. That’s when they found out their flag was the exact same as Haiti. Oops!
The following year, Liechtenstein added the crown to the upper left corner of the flag to avoid future confusion.
PHOTO CREDIT: DepositPhotos.com
11 Municipalities Have the Right to Secede
Every time someone gets butt hurt about state’s rights in the United States, they always try to work secession into the conversation. Well, in Liechtenstein, they actually have that right.
Liechtenstein is made up of 11 separate municipalities. In their constitution, each municipality has the right to secede from the country if its residents vote for it. That means that one of the smallest countries in the world could actually split into 11 even smaller countries!
PHOTO CREDIT: DepositPhotos.com
Liechtenstein Has Had No Military Since 1868
Similar to Costa Rica, Liechtenstein hasn’t had a military since 1866. The last action of any sort took place during the Austro-Prussian War. They sent 80 men to war, and none were killed or injured. They even picked up an extra man when an Italian (or Austrian – there is more than one unsubstantiated story out there) decided to join them and march back to Liechtenstein.
This is probably the only case of a military unit getting larger after a war. When you’re a country as small as Liechtenstein, there’s really no good reason to have a military presence. It’s more trouble than its worth for a principality that no one really bothers with.
PHOTO CREDIT: DepositPhotos.com
Liechtenstein’s Per Capita GDP is the Second Highest in the World
You’re probably wondering how this is possible, given this country’s small size. Well, Liechtenstein actually has a very prosperous financial services sector, with other major industries including electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, optical instruments, and pharmaceuticals.
Given these industries, it’s no surprise that their GDP is extremely high. Can you guess which country has the highest GDP in the world? It’s technically not even a country… it’s Monaco, where one-third of the population are millionaires.
PHOTO CREDIT: DepositPhotos.com
More Than Half of the Workforce Commutes From Neighboring Countries
If you’re in a geographical area as tiny as Liechtenstein, it’s not that hard to commute to work from another country. I imagine there is no real rush hour there, and it probably takes the same amount of time to cross countries as it does to go five miles in DC.
In 2016, 54% of Liechtenstein’s workforce commuted from Switzerland, Austria, and Germany, according to the country’s Foundation for Public Policy and Constitutional Law.
PHOTO CREDIT: DepositPhotos.com
There is No Airport in Liechtenstein
Yep. If you’re planning to fly into Liechtenstein, think again. The closest airport is in Zurich, Switzerland, about an hour and a half from the capital city of Vaduz. So, if you’re traveling to this tiny country, do your research and plan your trip accordingly.
You can take a car, taxi, or train into Liechtenstein—just not a plane. In fact, day trips to Liechtenstein from Switzerland are incredibly easy and I highly recommend it!
PHOTO CREDIT: DepositPhotos.com
Women Weren’t Granted the Right to Vote until 1984
Europe is usually considered very progressive, but Liechtenstein is the exception. It was the last European country to allow women to vote in elections.
In 1984, a referendum put the question of women voting on the ballot. Ironically, only men could vote, so it BARELY passed with 51% of the vote. Women were finally able to cast a ballot in the 1986 election.
PHOTO CREDIT: DepositPhotos.com
Now, Go Forth and Explore Liechtenstein!
If you’re still deciding whether or not to visit Liechtenstein, I’ve got you! I have the perfect day trip itinerary from Zurich, Switzerland, for an action-packed day in this tiny country. However, if you want to bar hop around some of the best bars in Liechtenstein, I suggest staying over at least one night!
Don’t forget to check out the rest of my blog for more travel inspiration and tips you can use for your next adventure!