Liechtenstein, officially the Principality of Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked alpine country in Central Europe,bordered by Switzerland to the west and south and by Austria to the east and north. Its area is just over 160 square kilometres (62 sq mi), and it has an estimated population of 35,000. Its capital is Vaduz.
The biggest town is Schaan. Liechtenstein has the highest gross domestic product per person in the world when adjusted by purchasing power parity,and has the world's lowest external debt. Liechtenstein also has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world at 1.5%.
Liechtenstein is the smallest yet the richest German-speaking country and the only country to lie entirely within the Alps. It is known as a principality as it is a constitutional monarchy headed by a prince.
Liechtenstein is divided into 11 municipalities. Much of its terrain is mountainous, making it a winter sports destination. Many cultivated fields and small farms characterize its landscape both in the south (Oberland, upper land) and in the north (Unterland, lower land). The country has a strong financial sector located in the capital, Vaduz, and has been identified as a tax haven.
Our hotel is in Triesen about 2.2 kms from Vaduz so we walked back to Vaduz just after lunch having arrived around midday.
The town is dominated by the castle in which the Prince and family lives and the
climb to it gives a good view out over the valley floor
Coming down from the castle we walked through a residential area and enjoyed
the pleasant views.
Some of the buildings in the "old town" were very modern!
Also was interested to see that the reach of the Kiwi has extended to this part of
the world but hope that he/she had nothing to do with the design of this
monstrosity.
All in all a very pleasant country and one where the wealth that was outlined in Wikipedia was apparent.
Switzerland and the Alps are our next stop tomorrow.
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