Liechtenstein Flag

Liechtenstein Flag

Liechtenstein Flag

One of the smallest of the world's independent states, with a total area of only 169 square kilometers (62 square miles). Liechtenstein's boundaries have remained unchanged since 1434. It has been a sovereign state since 1342, although its history as a modern nation dates from 1719, when it acquired its present name and ruling family following the union of the counties of Vaduz and Schellenberg to form the principality of Liechtenstein. Separated from Germany by Austria, Liechtenstein was unique among ethnic German principalities in that it did not become part of the German Empire in 1871. Because of its diminutive size, however, in international matters Liechtenstein has found it useful to associate itself with larger nations. until 1990, when Liechtenstein was admitted to the United Nations, it was represented abroad firstly by Austria (until 1919) and then by Switzerland, with whom it continues to maintain a customs union.

The red and blue colors of the national Liechtenstein flag have been in use since the early 19th century, often in a vertical arrangement. Although the stripes were altered to form a horizontal pattern in 1921, the flag so resembled that of Haiti when both were flown at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany, that a crown, signifying Liechtenstein's status as a principality, was added to the canton in the following year.