Europe is home to one of the world’s smallest countries, which also happens to be one of the richest.
Nestled in the Central European Alps, Liechtenstein is technically a microstate, doubly landlocked between Austria to the east and north and Switzerland to the west and south.
The semi-constitutional monarchy of Liechtenstein is headed by the Prince of the House of Liechtenstein, currently under the leadership of Hans-Adam II.
As Europe’s fourth-smallest country, it spans just over 62 square miles and houses a population of 40,023, making it the sixth-smallest nation globally.
Liechtenstein also holds the title of the world’s smallest country, bordering two nations, and is one of the rare countries worldwide without debt.
The tiny country has one of the highest gross domestic products per person in the world when adjusted for price differences between countries or purchasing power.
The country’s robust financial sector was once notorious as a billionaire tax haven. Still, after culminating in a tax scandal in 2008, the principality has since made significant strides to shake off this reputation.
Despite its limited natural resources, Liechtenstein is one of the few countries globally with more registered companies than citizens.
It’s cultivated a prosperous, highly industrialised free-enterprise economy and a financial service sector, resulting in a better living standard than the urban of much larger European countries.
Being an Alpine country, Liechtenstein’s mountainous terrain makes it a popular destination for winter sports.
For adrenaline junkies, the high-altitude resort of Malbun is a winter sports haven.
Nestled behind the southern Alpine ridge in a quaint side valley of the Saminatal Valley, Malbun is renowned throughout Liechtenstein and beyond for its reliable snow-covered slopes.
