<text><span class="style42"></span><span class="style12">LIECHTENSTEIN</span><span class="style14"></span><span class="style42">Official name: </span><span class="style13">F├╝rstentum Liechtenstein (The Principality of Liechtenstein)</span><span class="style42">Member of: </span><span class="style13">UN, OSCE</span><span class="style42">Area: </span><span class="style13">160 km2 (62 sq mi)</span><span class="style42">Population: </span><span class="style13">30100 (1993 est)</span><span class="style42">Capital: </span><span class="style13">Vaduz 4900 (1991 est)</span><span class="style42">Other major town: </span><span class="style13">Schaan 5000 (1991 est)</span><span class="style42">Language: </span><span class="style13">German (official)</span><span class="style42">Religions: </span><span class="style13">Roman Catholic (87%), Lutheran (8%)</span><span class="style42">GOVERNMENT</span><span class="style13">The country is a monarchy ruled by a Prince. The 25-member Landstag is elected under a system of proportional representation by universal adult suffrage for four years. The Landstag elects a 5-member Cabinet, including a Prime Minister.</span><span class="style42">GEOGRAPHY</span><span class="style13">The Alps in the east of the principality rise to the Grauspitze at 2599 m (8326 ft). The west comprises the floodplain of the River Rhine. </span><span class="style42">Climate: </span><span class="style13">The country has a mild Alpine climate.</span><span class="style42">ECONOMY</span><span class="style13">Liechtenstein has one of the highest standards of living in the world. Tourism, banking and manufacturing (precision goods) are all important. </span><span class="style42">Currency: </span><span class="style13">Liechtenstein uses Swiss currency.</span><span class="style42">HISTORY</span><span class="style4"></span><span class="style13">In 1719 the counties of Schellenberg and Vaduz were united to form a principality for the Austrian Princes of Liechtenstein. Separated from Germany by Austrian territory, Liechtenstein was the only German principality not to join the German Empire in 1871. Since 1924 the country has enjoyed a customs and monetary union with Switzerland, although since 1989 the principality has taken a more active role internationally, for instance joining the UN.</span></text>