Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein, European principality in the Alps, between Switzerland and Austria. Vaduz is the capital. With a total area of 62 sq mi (160 sq km), Liechtenstein is one of the world's smallest countries. Because of low taxes and bank secrecy, it is the nominal headquarters of thousands of international corporations, and Vaduz is a thriving tourist center. Roman Catholicism is the state religion; German is the official language. Liechtenstein was a principality of the Holy Roman Empire from 1719. It was incorporated into the German Confederation in 1815 and became independent in 1866. Until 1919 it was closely associated with Austria, but since then its interests abroad have been represented by Switzerland, and much of its economy is owned by the Swiss.