Liechtenstein: A Small Country with a Long History

739 Words2 Pages

Research Paper

Its largest city numbering only 5,000, Liechtenstein is barely a country. Liechtenstein’s long history contradicts its small size, the country shifting power at numerous occasion and becoming part of many great empires. Through its exposure to many cultures and rulers, Liechtenstein has developed a rich and widely arrayed culture. Liechtenstein’s government, although altered and transformed many times, has become stable. This tiny, alpine country, bordered by Switzerland on the West and Austria on the East, is only 62 square miles, but still a prospering country. Despite its miniscule size, Liechtenstein is a flourishing country with a rich culture, complex history, and a stable government-all contributing to the country’s society.

Liechtenstein’s history is made up of many different rulers and empires. Multiple rulers and sovereignties characterize even its early history. As early as 4000-1800 B.C., the area known today as Liechtenstein was occupied by farming groups. It became part of Raetia, a province of the Roman Empire, in 15 B.C. and, after the fall of the Romans, became part of Charlemagne’s Frankish Empire. In the 10th century, the area of Liechtenstein, which was part of Raetia, became part of the Holy Roman Empire. At this point the people group who would eventually become the people of Liechtenstein were not ruling over the region that would be Liechtenstein. The land of what is now Liechtenstein was not joined together.

In the 12th century, the area of Liechtenstein began to form itself into the country known today. The county of Vaduz, part of Liechtenstein as known today, which used to belong to Raetia, came under direct rule of the Holy Roman Empire 12th century. This gave the count...

... middle of paper ...

...htenstein. This constitution, though, was an extremely limited charter so that although it included tax requirements, propositions for the public well-being, and arrangements for an assembly, it failed to grant basic human rights. The German Confederation continued further in its requirement.

Works Cited

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/liechtenstein

http://www.sestudyabroad.com/guide/LI-history.htm

http://www.liechtensteinusa.org/index.php?page=history

http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0107726.html

http://www.infoplease.com/country/liechtenstein.html

http://www.thetourexpert.eu/countries/lichtenstein/food-and-drink-of-liechtenstein/

http://www.tourismus.li/en/culture-cuisine

http://www.liechtenstein.li/uploads/media/kultur-eng.pdf

http://www.about-liechtenstein.co.uk/history/geographic/people/language.html

Open Document