Principality of Liechtenstein

Ahoy!

Today we welcome the Principality of Liechtenstein to the Parade of Nations. Liechtenstein is the 217th country to provide at least one unique visitor to PhilosFX.

When I was a lad, I read the Cold War satirical novel, The Mouse That Roared. At about the same time (the early '70s), I remember obtaining my first Liechtenstein postage stamps. As they do, the stamps piqued my curiosity. In my imagination, the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein was the basis of the fictitious Duchy of Grand Fenwick: small, isolated, exporting wool and wine and eschewing technology. Years later, while stationed in Germany with the US Army, I had the privilege to visit Liechtenstein. I quickly learned that the resemblance ended at "small." Liechtenstein is wealthy, sophisticated, and technologically advanced.

According to the CIA's World Factbook, "The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719. Occupied by both French and Russian troops during the Napoleonic Wars, it became a sovereign state in 1806 and joined the Germanic Confederation in 1815. Liechtenstein became fully independent in 1866 when the Confederation dissolved."

Principality of Liechtenstein

From Google we learn that, "Liechtenstein is a German-speaking, 25km (15.5 mi) long principality between Austria and Switzerland. It’s known for its medieval castles, alpine landscapes, and villages linked by a network of trails. The capital, Vaduz, a cultural and financial center, is home to Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, with galleries of modern and contemporary art. The Postmuseum displays Liechtenstein’s postage stamps."

Wikipedia states that, with Uzbekistan, "Liechtenstein is one of only two doubly landlocked nations in the world."

Note: A country is doubly landlocked when it is surrounded entirely by one or more landlocked countries, requiring the crossing of at least two national borders to reach a coastline.

Wiki continues: "There were no doubly landlocked countries from the unification of Germany in 1871 until the end of World War I. Liechtenstein bordered the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which had an Adriatic coastline, and Uzbekistan was then part of the Russian Empire, which had both ocean and sea access."


An updated Flag Counter and Table of Missing Countries is available here.

Cheers!