Everything you need to know about Liechtenstein: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more
Liechtenstein: Tiny European Country and Tax Haven
Liechtenstein was founded in 1719, however its inhabitants are descendents of the Alemanni tribe that came to the region after 500 A.D. It was part of the German Confederation from 1815 to 1866 and formally abolished its army in 1868 and has adopted a neutral stance since then, which includes the two World Wars. The Liechtenstein is a known tax haven and many companies have opened their offices in the country to avail of the tax benefits. The Roman Catholic Church exerts a strong influence in the affairs of the country, as does the absolutist monarchy represented by Prince Hans Adam II.
Liechtenstein Facts and Figures:
The warm Fohn wind blowing from the south has moderated the Liechtenstein climate, which is not as severe as other countries in the region. The annual Liechtenstein temperature varies from –4.5 °C in January to 20 °C in July whereas the annual rainfall measures 41 inches.
Liechtenstein Culture and Economy:
Liechtenstein on account of its small size and landlocked status has been strongly influenced by external cultures, most notably from the German speaking areas like Austria, Bavaria, Switzerland and Tyrol. Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein is the largest museum in Liechtenstein, designed by Swiss architects, and has preserved the important elements of Liechtenstein life and tradition. Liechtenstein culture gives prime importance to music and theatre and celebrates the annual Guitar Day. The Roman Catholic Church strongly influences Liechtenstein citizens daily life and abortion was illegal until 2005 when the country’s parliament legalised it.
Liechtenstein is a tax haven that previously offered anonymous bank accounts. It is among the few countries in the world that has more number of registered companies (77,000) than people. Most of these companies are just ‘letter box’ companies that have opened nominal offices to benefit from the lax tax laws of Liechtenstein. As a result of the criticism from international agencies the Liechtenstein government has recently brought in tax reforms and stringency in its financial regulations to check fraudulent practices.
Liechtenstein Tourist Attractions:
Despite its small size Liechtenstein offers some enticing places to visit and things to do. Vaduz, the capital of this diminutive country has some interesting tourist attractions like the Liechtenstein Art Museum, which has a good collection of private memorabilia of Liechtenstein’s royal family. It also has a beautiful Schloss Vaduz castle in the wooded hillside that dates back to the 14th century. If you still want to explore further remember to visit the 19th century Cathedral of St Florin.
New Delhi, June 12 (IANS) Nearly a month after India was admitted as an observer into the mineral-rich Arctic Council, India's External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid is visiting Norway, a member of the eight-nation forum, where he will pay a visit to the Indian research station, Himadri, in Svalbard
Brussels, May 23 (IANS/EFE) The heads of state and government of the European Union held a summit Wednesday in an effort to make more progress in fighting tax evasion and tax fraud.
New Delhi, May 16 (IANS) Norway's sovereign wealth fund, Government Pension Fund Global, is investing $4 billion in India and is focused in the areas of oil and gas, shipping and hydropower, Norway's envoy to India has said.
Karachi, April 22 (ANI): An aeronautical engineer has turned his back on his profession and set out across Europe to learn 33 more trades instead.
New Delhi, Mar. 28 (ANI): India and Liechtenstein signed a Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) today at Bern, Switzerland.
London, March 18 (ANI): A painting hanging in the former home of Sir Francis Drake has been confirmed as a self-portrait by the Dutch Master Rembrandt, the National Trust has announced.
DOHA, Dec. 9 (Xinhua-ANI): United Nations climate talks in Doha on Saturday adopted a package of drafts of low-ambitious second period of Kyoto Protocol and weak commitment on climate finance after overnight negotiations over differences between developed and developing countries.
London, November 5 (ANI): Bernie Ecclestone, who's daughter Tamara and Petra are famous for spending his fortune on fast cars, mansions and designer clothes, doesn't seem to have forgotten the value of money when he said that his girls should have got the red light.
Washington, Sep 18 (IANS) iPhone 5 has emerged as the fastest pre-booked device Apple has ever released with more than two million first-day orders, twice the one million orders iPhone 4S racked up on its launch last October.
Washington, Sep 18 (IANS) iPhone 5 has emerged as the fastest-selling device Apple has ever released with more than two million first-day orders, twice the one million orders iPhone 4S racked up on its launch last October.
Cupertino (California), Sep 17 (IANS) The pre-orders for Apple's iPhone 5 have crossed two million in just 24 hours, the company said Monday.
Mexico City, June 29 (IANS/EFE) Latin American wireless giant America Movil has gained effective control over KPN after increasing its stake in the Dutch telecom to 27.7 percent.
London, April 19 (IANS) Stephanie Vogt of Liechtenstein and Paraguay's Veronica Cepede Royg were handed the first two tennis wildcards for the London Games by International Tennis Federation (ITF).
Washington, Mar 20 (ANI): Tech giant Apple has announced that it has sold a whopping three million new iPad units since its sale began Friday.
London, Sept 7 (ANI): World Champion Spain and Italy qualified for the Euro 2012 on Tuesday.
New Delhi, July 4 (ANI): The Supreme Court today appointed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to monitor the probe and the steps being taken to unearth the black money stashed away in safe havens abroad.
New Delhi, July 4 (ANI): The Supreme Court today appointed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to monitor the probe and the steps being taken to unearth the black money stashed away in safe havens abroad.
New Delhi, July 4 (ANI): The Supreme Court will pass interim orders on the black money issue on Monday.
New Delhi, May 4 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved its order on a plea to set up a special investigation team (SIT) to track the black money stashed away by some Indians in Swiss banks
New Delhi, Apr 26 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reacting to an interview of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to an Indian news channel, on Tuesday asked the Centre to release the names of all those, who have stashed unaccounted money in banks abroad.
London, April 17 (ANI): The entire Liechtenstein, a tiny land-locked country between Austria and Switzerland, is being offered for hire to tourists with 40,000 pounds a night to spare.
New Delhi, Feb 10 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Central Government to tell it where was the country's top tax evader Hasan Ali, who has stashed away a huge amount of money in banks in Switzerland and other countries.
New Delhi, Feb 10 (ANI): The Supreme Court will on Thursday conduct a hearing in the black money case a day after the Centre notified it that the illegal money stashed in tax havens abroad will be taxable income under the Direct Taxes Code Bill.
Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday once again refused to reveal the names of those who have stashed away money in tax heavens abroad ...
Canberra (Australia), Jan.26 (ANI): The Australian Foreign Ministry has warned the country's citizens to reconsider their need to travel to Ethiopia, East Africa, in the wake of reports of a possible terrorist attack.
New Delhi, Jan.17 (ANI): Canada's Minister of International Trade Peter Van Loan has welcomed the opening of Canadian exports of spruce lumber to India.
New Delhi, Nov.15 (ANI): The acting head of state of Liechtenstein, Prince Prince Alois, will undertake that country's first ever official visit to India from today.
London, Oct 11 (ANI): The country estate made famous in Sir Paul McCartney's 'Mull of Kintyre' is on the market for 3 million pounds.
London, Sep 28 (ANI): A 34-year-old German musician gave concerts in eight countries this weekend within 24 hours in an attempt to break a world record.
London, Feb 8(ANI): An easy draw for the Euro 2012 has made England the favourites in the bookies eyes, who are so convinced of the Three Lions getting through to the finals that they have been immediately installed at an incredibly short-price of 1-10.
Washington, Jan 11 (ANI): The rise in the number of female ambassadors to the United States is being attributed to the "Hillary effect".
New Delhi, May 2 (IANS) Assuring the Supreme Court that it was trying to retrieve black money stashed in tax havens abroad, the government Saturday said it has already secured significant information from Germany and income-tax sleuths were following it up.
New Delhi, April 26 (IANS) With its 48-hour deadline expiring on Friday, the union government is now expected to inform the Supreme Court Monday on its efforts towards retrieving over Rs.70 trillion ($1.4 trillion) in black money believed to be stashed away in foreign banks by Indians.
New Delhi, April 22 (IANS) The government is not sitting idle over the issue of retrieving over Rs.70 trillion of Indian black money stashed in various foreign banks and will detail the actions taken in this regard within '48 hours', the Supreme Court was told Wednesday.
Madrid, April 20 (DPA) Dinara Safina made tennis history for herself and her family when she officially climbed to the world No.1 position in the women's rankings Monday.
Hamburg, April 2 (DPA) England, the Netherlands and Spain maintained their 100-per-cent records to stay well on course for places at the 2010 Football World Cup finals in South Africa.
London, April 1 (IANS) India and Britain see progress at the G20 in addressing the lack of transparency among tax havens that hide behind strict secrecy laws in their banking system to protect people who park their funds with them.
New Delhi, March 29 (IANS) Joining the chorus with the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani Sunday asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to raise at the G-20 summit the issue of Indian money stashed abroad.
Geneva/Berlin, March 25 (DPA) Switzerland and Germany are friendly neighbours and big commercial partners, but a war of words over banking secrecy is shaking the relationship, and few punches are being pulled.
Bern/Vienna, March 13 (DPA) Switzerland, Austria and Luxembourg said Friday they would relax their banking secrecy rules, exchange tax data with foreign regulators, and better comply with international standards on tax evasion probes.
Rome, Jan 18 (DPA) AC Milan beat Fiorentina 1-0 as Brazilian Pato was on target in a late game in the Italian Serie A.
The United Nations (UN) in its General Assembly meet held on October 22, elected India as among the 18 countries to serve on the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for a three-year term starting from January next year.
Moenchengladbach (Germany),Oct 13 (DPA) Germany are not shedding any tears over Kevin Kuranyi as they gear up to play Wales in a 2010 World Cup qualifier Wednesday night.
Dortmund, Germany, Oct 12 (DPA) Germany defeated Russia 2-1 in Dortmund to gain the edge in World Cup football qualifying Group 4 Saturday.
London, Sept 22 (ANI): Only a few legal formalities are left after which newly-elected Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari would pocket nearly three million pounds from the Pakistani exchequer, the sale proceeds of Surrey Palace - the "Rockwood House" - which was sold through a liquidator in 2004 after Zardari and his slain spouse Benazir Bhutto were found guilty of corruption.
Washington, Aug 22 (ANI): At an estimated worth of 35 billion dollars, Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej has emerged as the world's richest royal in the list prepared by the Forbes magazine. He took the top spot from the only other Asian monarch on the list, the Sultan of Brunei with a worth 20 billion dollars, one of the two rulers whose total worth depleted compared to last year.
