| The Principality of Liechtenstein was founded in 1719 and is now an hereditary monarchy on democratic and parliamentary principles. Liechtenstein is an independent state and a member of many international organisations such as the United Nations, The Council of Europe, the OSCE, EFTA and the European Economic Area. Liechtenstein is embedded between Switzerland and Austria, in the middle of the Alps. With its 160 kmē, Liechtenstein is Europe's fourth-smallest state. Of the 11 local authorities, Vaduz is the capital. The Head of State, Crown Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein, lives in Vaduz with his family. The government consists of five members and there are 25 members of parliament. Jurisdiction operates in the first instance through the district court, then through the high court and in the third and final instance through the supreme court. The administrative court and the state court represent public law. Vaduz is the seat of them all. The population of Liechtenstein numbers about 35,000, of whom a good third are foreigners. The country affords about 30,000 jobs, 15,000 of which are occupied by commuting foreign workers, especially from Austria and Switzerland. The third sector (trade and service industries), provides more than 55% of these jobs. Confirmation of the highly developed economic condition of Liechtenstein is seen in the fact that 44% of all jobs are to be found in trade and industry. Liechtenstein counts more than 3,200 operating companies. The annual industrial export figure amounts to some 4 billion Swiss Francs (with a state budget of 800 million) in adhesives and vacuum techniques, commercial vehicles, metals, machinery and apparatus, boilers, false teeth, varnishes, paints, ceramics, chemicals, foods, bedding and lead crystal. |