FLAG OF LIECHTENSTEIN

The flag of Liechtenstein consists of two horizontal blue and red bands charged with a gold crown at the canton. Adopted in 1921 after being officially enshrined into the nation's constitution, it has been the flag of the Principality of Liechtenstein since that year. The crown was added to the flag in 1937 after the country found out at the Summer Olympics held the previous year in Berlin, that their flag was identical to the flag of Haiti.

The colours and symbols of the flag carry cultural, political, and regional meanings. The blue represents the sky, while red alludes to the "evening fires" that are lit inside houses throughout the country. The crown – whose colour is disputed – epitomizes the "unity of the people and their prince". While The World Factbook and Reuters describe it as gold in colour, other sources – such as Encyclopædia Britannica – describe it as yellow.

The Principality of Liechtenstein, the microstate between Switzerland and Austria, was formed within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719 and gained its independence from the German Confederation in 1866, having been a member since 1815.

The banner of the Princely House, a 3:5 proportioned flag with two horizontal bands (gold above red) was used as the national flag from Liechtenstein’s creation until 1852,

when red and blue, the colours of Prince Joseph Wenzel I (reigns: 1712-18, 1732-45 and 1748-72), were adopted and the horizontal bands replaced by vertical ones.

This was the Principality’s flag until October 1921 when the design was rotated 90 degrees anticlockwise in accordance with the nation’s constitution, thus granting it ‘official’ status. This was also the year Liechtenstein adopted Swiss currency, two years after Switzerland replaced Austria as Liechtenstein’s representative abroad after the fall of the Hapsburg monarchy.

Flag proportion 3:5

Adopted October 1921 (modified June 24, 1937)

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ABOUT LIECHTENSTEIN:

Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked German-speaking microstate in Central Europe. It is a constitutional monarchy with the rank of principality, headed by the Prince of Liechtenstein.

Liechtenstein is bordered by Switzerland to the west and south and Austria to the east and north. It has an area of just over 160 square kilometres (62 square miles) and an estimated population of 37,000. Divided into 11 municipalities, its capital is Vaduz and its largest municipality is Schaan.

An alpine country, Liechtenstein is mainly mountainous, making it a winter sport destination. Many cultivated fields and small farms are found both in the south (Oberland, upper land) and north (Unterland, lower land). The country has a strong financial sector centered in Vaduz. Liechtenstein is a member of the European Free Trade Association, and while not being a member of the European Union, the country participates in both the Schengen Area and European Economic Area. It also has a customs union and a monetary union with Switzerland.

CAPITAL OF LIECHTENSTEIN:

Vaduz