Kristen Fritz, age 14, of Barre, Vt., for her question:
HOW OLD IS LIECHTENSTEIN?
Liechtenstein is an independent principality bounded in the north by Switzerland and Austria and on the south and west by Switzerland. Having a total area of only 61 square miles, Liechtenstein is one of the smallest independent states in the world.
The modern history of Liechtenstein goes back to 1719, when the country formally acquired its present name and ruling family with the consolidation of the counties of Vaduz and Schellenberg under the house of Liechtenstein.
In 1806, Liechtenstein became an independent country and in 1815, it joined the German Confederation, a league of German rulers, but kept its independence. The confederation was dissolved in 1866 at the end of the Seven Weeks War. This was the last war in which Liechtenstein fought. The country has remained neutral since then, and has had no army since 1868.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the country was allied with the Hapsburg monarchy in Austria. When the Hapsburg monarchy was abolished after World War I, Liechtenstein formed its present economic connection with Switzerland. Prince Francis Joseph II, who was born in 1906, has been the country's ruler since 1938.
The western edge of Liechtenstein lies in the valley of the Rhine River. The rest of the country consists of foothills of the Alps, which rise in the south to peaks of more than 8,000 feet above sea level. The Rhine River, which forms the western border, drains the greater part of the country.
The government collects money by taxing foreign businesses that set up their headquarters in Liechtenstein. More than 5,000 firms from other countries have established headquarters there because of low business and income taxes.
Liechtenstein also makes money by selling postage stamps. The country's stamps are prized by collectors throughout the world because of their beauty.
Liechtenstein has a mild climate that ranges from a temperature average of 30 degrees Fahrenheit in January to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in July. The average annual rainfall is about 40 inches.
Before World War II about 60 percent of the labor force was engage in agriculture, but today this figure is less than four percent. Industry is now the big employer. The major manufacturers include machinery, pharmaceuticals, food products, metal goods, precision instruments, textiles and pottery.
Much of the principality's income, however, is derived from tourism, along with the postage stamp industry and the maintenance of headquarters for international trade.
Heading the government under the prince is a 15 member parliament. Members are elected to four year terms by universal adult male suffrage. On the recommendation of the parliament, the prince appoints a chief of government and four council members. Since 1919, Switzerland has represented Liechtenstein diplomatically.