[an error occurred while processing this directive]
BBC News
watch One-Minute World News
Languages
Last Updated: Thursday, 28 December 2006, 23:54 GMT
Liechtenstein redraws Europe map
Snow covered mountains in principality of Liechtenstein
Most of Liechtenstein is remote Alpine landscape
Liechtenstein, the tiny principality wedged between Austria and Switzerland, has had its borders lengthened.

Modern measuring methods proved that Liechtenstein's borders are 1.9km (1.2 miles) longer than previously thought.

The border has been changed in some of the more remote corners of the mainly mountainous state, which has now grown in size by 0.5sq km (123 acres).

Liechtenstein, population 35,000, now boasts 77.9km (48.3 miles) of borders, an area of 160 sq km (62 sq miles).

The newly-discovered territory is equivalent to about the size of 50 football pitches.

Sixth smallest

Announcing its territorial expansion, the government of Liechtenstein said that some areas of the Alpine nation had never been properly measured until now.

Map
Famous mainly for its sheer lack of size and some generous banking laws, the principality is a German-speaking territory that has maintained its independence since 1719.

Liechtenstein's royal family kept the principality neutral during both world wars, and then developed a reputation as a tax haven in the decades afterwards.

The current ruler, Prince Hans-Adam II, has a vast personal fortune and is said to be one of the richest heads of state in the world.

Despite its new-found territory, Liechtenstein is the sixth smallest independent state in the world, larger than only the Vatican City, Monaco, San Marino, and the Pacific island nations of Tuvalu and Nauru.

The next largest nation, the Marshall Islands, is some 20sq km bigger than Liechtenstein, and appears in little danger of being overtaken any time soon.


SEE ALSO
Holocaust heirs win record payout
14 Apr 05 |  Americas
Liechtenstein banking crackdown
20 Jul 00 |  Business
Swiss wind up Holocaust fund
03 May 02 |  Europe
Country profile: Liechtenstein
25 Apr 01 |  Country profiles
Timeline: Liechtenstein
25 Apr 01 |  Europe

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



FEATURES, VIEWS, ANALYSIS
Has China's housing bubble burst?
How the world's oldest clove tree defied an empire
Why Royal Ballet principal Sergei Polunin quit

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Americas Africa Europe Middle East South Asia Asia Pacific