Next-door Liechtenstein: familiar yet different

Keen to explore the miniature monarchy next door, our Switzerland-based contributor Catherine McLean slipped over the border to Liechtenstein this summer to see what makes the tiny principality tick.

Passing over a bridge, the Rhine river flowing below, it’s hard to tell that we have left Switzerland and are entering the tiny principality of Liechtenstein.

 

There are no border guards waiting to examine passports. The houses look the same, as does the mountainous landscape. People go shopping at the Coop supermarket chain, just like in Switzerland. Liechtenstein even uses the same currency: the Swiss franc.

 

But there are a few subtle differences as well. The licence plates are stylishly black, while the flags flying from houses and public buildings feature blue and red bands with a crown: no Swiss cross in sight. Liechtenstein has its own country code - 423 - for telephone calls. And they’ve had their own postage stamps for exactly 100 years.

 

Those hailing from Liechtenstein admit they have a lot of similarities with their Swiss neighbours. But they are nevertheless a breed of their own.

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