Like Switzerland, Liechtenstein is not a member of the European Union. However, the country is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA). This is an agreement between the countries of the European Union and the European Free Trade Association, with the exception of Switzerland. The agreement promotes free movement of people, goods, services and capital between participating countries. There is also cooperation in the economic field. Liechtenstein has been a Schengen country since December 19, 2011.[4] The name Liechtenstein comes from the name of the ruling royal house.

In 1699, the Bohemian prince Johan Adam Andreas of Liechtenstein bought the manor of Schellenberg and in 1712 the county of Vaduz from the counts of Hohenems. He also received a seat on the royal bench of the Swabian Kreits for a loan of 250,000 guilders in 1707. On January 23, 1719, Emperor Charles VI united the lordships of Vaduz and Schellenberg into a principality called Liechtenstein. Finally, in 1723, the new principality received a seat and a vote in the Diet

Liechtenstein is located in the Rhine Valley in the Alps. The country is 24 kilometers long from north to south. With an area of 160,475 km², Liechtenstein is the twenty-smallest country on earth. The borders with Austria and Switzerland are together 77.9 kilometers long. By the way, Liechtenstein's territory and borders were only accurately measured for the first time in 2006 using modern technology, which turned out to be half a square kilometer larger than previously thought.