Tuesday 7 August 2012

Liechtenstein

If you're floating down the Rhine through Switzerland and look left for too long, then you'll miss Liechtenstein, the 219th most gigantic country in the world.

We arrived late in the day and found that one of the best things to do in Liechtenstein is look at Switzerland on the other side of the valley.

In the morning we did the world-famous Fürstensteig Walk, a precariously placed path along a jagged cliff face.



The view of Liechtenstein (all of Liechtenstein) was quite spectacular. Everything you see here is Liechtenstein, except for the land to the right of the Rhine and those mountains in the background.

Towards the end of the hike we discovered that there was much more to Liechtenstein than just looking at Switzerland, looking at Austria is also fun.


A pretty little insect in a pretty little country.

In the afternoon we hit the capital city of Vaduz. The hustle and bustle of the main street was overwhelming.

As usual for microstates, we've included some trivia for those playing at home.

- Liechtenstein is the only country located entirely within the Alps.

- Liechtenstein is one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world. i.e. a landlocked country wholly surrounded by other landlocked countries.

- In 1951 Liechntentsein became the first country in the world to have a fully automated telephone system.

- Liechtenstein's national anthem, Oben am jungen Rhein (Up above the young Rhine), is sung to the same tune as God Save the Queen

- During the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, Liechtenstein sent their 80 man army to war. Amazingly, 81 came back. Apparently an Austrian liaison officer joined up with the contingent on the way back.

2 comments:

  1. You guys. Lichenstein looks awesome!

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  2. I loved the trivia! Especially the 81 men to return from war!!

    ReplyDelete