James Baquet

Tiny Liechtenstein’s tourism slogan, “Experience Princely Moments,” alludes to its status as a nation ruled by a prince, currently (and since 1989) His Serene Highness Hans-Adam II. Thus, it is “The Principality of Liechtenstein” and has been since 1718, when the Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI merged two small political entities to form Liechtenstein — a place where no prince actually lived or even visited until a century later!

And it truly is miniscule. Liechtenstein is number 191 of 195 in size, and 190 of 195 in population. It is squeezed between Switzerland on the west and south, and Austria on the east and north. In conjunction with Uzbekistan, it is one of only two “doubly landlocked” countries in the world, that is, a country from which one would have to cross two (or more) international borders to reach a major body of water — say, Switzerland then Italy to the Mediterranean, or Austria then Germany to the North Sea.

Given its location, as well as its history as a one-time member of the German Confederation (a successor to the Holy Roman Empire), it’s not surprising to learn that Liechtensteiners speak German. Though the religious interests of all people are given priority by the government, Roman Catholicism is Liechtenstein’s official state religion. All schools are legally required to teach either Roman Catholic or Protestant (Reformed or Lutheran) doctrine.

Although Liechtenstein has a very low crime rate — one source says the last murder was in 1997 — in 2007 it was invaded by, of all countries, its peaceful neighbor, Switzerland. It seems that during maneuvers, 170 Swiss soldiers wandered across the border with unloaded guns. In fact, Liechtenstein didn’t know it had happened until the Swiss reported it! Liechtenstein has no army of its own, though its national police force maintains close ties with those of neighboring Switzerland and Austria.

They could probably afford an army, though: By some measures, Liechtenstein has the highest per capita GDP in the world!

Vocabulary:

Which word above means:

1. military exercises;

2. entered a country uninvited;

3. together;

4. state of importance;

5. walked aimlessly;

6. something that follows another; 7. makes a reference;

8. a church which broke away from Rome during the Renaissance; 9. magnificent, like something belonging to a prince;

10. very, very small