Geography and Environment
Cultural and Biodiversity
Liechtenstein does not have a wide variety of cultures present in the country with the indigenous population comprising about 87.5% of the total population in 1998. These are predominantly Alemannic or descendants of previous German-speaking tribes, while the remaining 12.5% of the population is composed of Italian, Turkish, and various other groups. Originally, these tribes depended solely on agricultural means for survival and even until the end of World War II, the country was primarily agricultural based. Currently, 35% of the total land area is Alpine pasture, which are well suited for cattle grazing. In 2001, Liechtenstein housed 6,000 cattle, 3,000 hogs, and 3,000 sheep that make use of these areas. Due to the small size, Liechtenstein does not participate in commercial fishing, but rivers and streams are supplied with fish for sport fishing (“Liechtenstein overview,” 2014).
In addition to sport fishing, Liechtenstein is a popular destination for many recreational and outdoor enthusiasts with tourism making up one of the largest service industries in the EU, “generating more than 13% of the GDP, 6% of employment, and 30% of external trade” (European Environment Agency, 2001). In 2014, the National Geographic Traveler magazine chose Liechtenstein as one of the 20 must-see locations in the world, a title that was expected to increase tourism in the country substantially. Despite, drops in number of tourists from Switzerland, international tourists, particularly from Russia and China, have increased during the year (“Travel and tourism,” 2014.). With an Alpine location, popular activities that attract tourists to the country include: mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, fishing, and summer sports in the warm months and skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, snowshoe hiking, husky guided tours, and winter sports in the colder months (Fauna in Liechtenstein, n.d.). In 2000, the revised Tourism Act took effect, which put focus on sustaining the environment while taking into account the natural and social environmental issues. A process “to determine the appropriateness of tourism activities” was in the works to “show which forms of tourism are economically desirable in Liechtenstein’s mountain region as well as feasible from an ecological and sociocultural and, generally, sustainable standpoint” (United Nations, 2002).
Along with the focus on environmentally friendly tourism, the country has considered all environmental hazards present in Liechtenstein and is working to combat them through government projects and educational awareness. A variety of measures have been taken to improve the air quality in the country. Strict regulations are now in place on household, industrial, and traffic emissions in order to prevent further pollution effects on the climate. Additionally, as the country became more industrialized, the government began to put emphasis on forest regeneration and mountain preservation. Liechtenstein is covered in 7,372 hectares of forested areas that are critical to the protection of settlements and infrastructure against rockfalls, avalanches, and mudslides. Today, 27% of these wooded areas are forest reserves and 70% “is protected from human influence,” yet “regeneration does not occur in 16% of all areas where it is needed.” Two-thirds of Liechtenstein’s total area are mountain regions and are a sanctuary for a number of endangered species and habitats. As the city grows in the valley, the mountains are the only location available for potential propagation of many biotopes and species (United Nations, 2002).
Although it only has a surface area of 160 square km, Liechtenstein houses an extraordinary array of life forms. Traditional Alpine animals such as red deer, chamois, ibex, golden eagles, mountain hares, rock ptarmigans, and the marmot, flourish in the upper regions of the country while the valley is home to foxes, badgers, black woodpeckers, eagle owls and the rare white-backed woodpeckers. In addition to 55 mammal species, the varied geology and topography allow for 120 butterfly species, a variety of insects, birds, and fish to thrive as well (Fauna in Liechtenstein, n.d.). Between 1986 and 1998, 32 types of trees and 18 shrub species were also identified (United Nations, 2002). Liechtenstein recognizes the importance of maintaining the biodiversity of the country in order to maintain their current cultural and economic success.
Sources:
European Environment Agency. (2001). YIR01TO05 Tourism contribution to GDP. Retrieved November 6, 2014, from http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/tourism-intensity/tourism-contribution-to-gdp
Fauna in Liechtenstein. (n.d.). Retrieved November 6, 2014, from http://www.tourismus.li/en/activities/sights-and-countryside/adventures-in-nature/fauna-Liechtenstein.html
Liechtenstein overview. (2014). Retrieved November 6, 2014, from http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Europe/Liechtenstein.html
Travel and tourism in Liechtenstein. (2014, June 1). Retrieved November 6, 2014, from http://www.euromonitor.com/travel-and-tourism-in-liechtenstein/report
United Nations. (2002). Liechtenstein country profile. Retrieved November 6, 2014, from http://www.un.org/esa/agenda21/natlinfo/wssd/liechtenstein.pdf
In addition to sport fishing, Liechtenstein is a popular destination for many recreational and outdoor enthusiasts with tourism making up one of the largest service industries in the EU, “generating more than 13% of the GDP, 6% of employment, and 30% of external trade” (European Environment Agency, 2001). In 2014, the National Geographic Traveler magazine chose Liechtenstein as one of the 20 must-see locations in the world, a title that was expected to increase tourism in the country substantially. Despite, drops in number of tourists from Switzerland, international tourists, particularly from Russia and China, have increased during the year (“Travel and tourism,” 2014.). With an Alpine location, popular activities that attract tourists to the country include: mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, fishing, and summer sports in the warm months and skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, snowshoe hiking, husky guided tours, and winter sports in the colder months (Fauna in Liechtenstein, n.d.). In 2000, the revised Tourism Act took effect, which put focus on sustaining the environment while taking into account the natural and social environmental issues. A process “to determine the appropriateness of tourism activities” was in the works to “show which forms of tourism are economically desirable in Liechtenstein’s mountain region as well as feasible from an ecological and sociocultural and, generally, sustainable standpoint” (United Nations, 2002).
Along with the focus on environmentally friendly tourism, the country has considered all environmental hazards present in Liechtenstein and is working to combat them through government projects and educational awareness. A variety of measures have been taken to improve the air quality in the country. Strict regulations are now in place on household, industrial, and traffic emissions in order to prevent further pollution effects on the climate. Additionally, as the country became more industrialized, the government began to put emphasis on forest regeneration and mountain preservation. Liechtenstein is covered in 7,372 hectares of forested areas that are critical to the protection of settlements and infrastructure against rockfalls, avalanches, and mudslides. Today, 27% of these wooded areas are forest reserves and 70% “is protected from human influence,” yet “regeneration does not occur in 16% of all areas where it is needed.” Two-thirds of Liechtenstein’s total area are mountain regions and are a sanctuary for a number of endangered species and habitats. As the city grows in the valley, the mountains are the only location available for potential propagation of many biotopes and species (United Nations, 2002).
Although it only has a surface area of 160 square km, Liechtenstein houses an extraordinary array of life forms. Traditional Alpine animals such as red deer, chamois, ibex, golden eagles, mountain hares, rock ptarmigans, and the marmot, flourish in the upper regions of the country while the valley is home to foxes, badgers, black woodpeckers, eagle owls and the rare white-backed woodpeckers. In addition to 55 mammal species, the varied geology and topography allow for 120 butterfly species, a variety of insects, birds, and fish to thrive as well (Fauna in Liechtenstein, n.d.). Between 1986 and 1998, 32 types of trees and 18 shrub species were also identified (United Nations, 2002). Liechtenstein recognizes the importance of maintaining the biodiversity of the country in order to maintain their current cultural and economic success.
Sources:
European Environment Agency. (2001). YIR01TO05 Tourism contribution to GDP. Retrieved November 6, 2014, from http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/tourism-intensity/tourism-contribution-to-gdp
Fauna in Liechtenstein. (n.d.). Retrieved November 6, 2014, from http://www.tourismus.li/en/activities/sights-and-countryside/adventures-in-nature/fauna-Liechtenstein.html
Liechtenstein overview. (2014). Retrieved November 6, 2014, from http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Europe/Liechtenstein.html
Travel and tourism in Liechtenstein. (2014, June 1). Retrieved November 6, 2014, from http://www.euromonitor.com/travel-and-tourism-in-liechtenstein/report
United Nations. (2002). Liechtenstein country profile. Retrieved November 6, 2014, from http://www.un.org/esa/agenda21/natlinfo/wssd/liechtenstein.pdf