Liechtensteiners (, ) are people native to
Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein (, ; ; ), officially the Principality of Liechtenstein ( ), is a Landlocked country#Doubly landlocked, doubly landlocked Swiss Standard German, German-speaking microstate in the Central European Alps, between Austria in the east ...
linked strictly with
Swiss Germans and
Swabians
Swabians ( , singular ''Schwabe'') are a Germans, German ethnographic group native to the region of Swabia, which is mostly divided between the modern states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, in southwestern Germany.
The name is ultimately de ...
.
There were approximately 34,000 Liechtensteiners worldwide at the turn of the 21st century.
History
The region now ruled by Liechtenstein was first inhabited during the Neolithic Period and has been an independent state under the rule of the Princely House of Liechtenstein since 1719. The modern Liechtensteiners are descendants of the
Alemanni
The Alemanni or Alamanni were a confederation of Germanic peoples, Germanic tribes
*
*
*
on the Upper Rhine River during the first millennium. First mentioned by Cassius Dio in the context of the campaign of Roman emperor Caracalla of 213 CE ...
people.
Etymology
The word Liechtenstein come from Middle High German ''lieht'' (light) and ''stein'' (stone rock).
Location
Liechtenstein
Approximately two-thirds (66.2%) of Liechtenstein's population, or 26,205 people, are ethnically Liechtensteiner.
United States
Liechtensteiner Americans in the United States number at 1,244. The first recorded Liechtensteiner to move to America was a man named Joseph Batliner. In 1846, a flood followed by a famine caused 250 Liechtensteiners to move to America; this was the first large wave of emigration from Liechtenstein.
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque (, ) is a city in Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, and its county seat. The population was 59,667 at the 2020 United States census. The city lies along the Mississippi River at the junction of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin, a region ...
became the destination for Liechtensteiners moving to America because the community was German-speaking like the Liechtensteiners. The Liechtensteiners in Dubuque formed a close knit community often marrying each other and god fathering each others' children. After this wave, a small trickle continued with spikes after
World War I
World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
and
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
where more waves of Liechtensteiners emigrating to America.
Other Locations
Small amounts of Liechtensteiners also emigrated to Canada and South America, mainly to
Brazil
Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by area, fifth-largest country by area and the List of countries and dependencies by population ...
and
Argentina
Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic, is a country in the southern half of South America. It covers an area of , making it the List of South American countries by area, second-largest country in South America after Brazil, the fourt ...
.
Religion
Roman Catholicism is the state religion of Liechtenstein. As of the 2020 census, 70% of Liechtensteiners were Catholic, 8% were other Christians. Sixteen percent practiced other faiths (6% Muslim, 10% no affiliation), while 4% were undeclared. Many shops and businesses are closed for the Sabbath.
Culture
Much of Liechtenstein’s culture come from nearby European influences.
Language
The language most prevalent among Liechtensteiners is Alemannic German, with 1,300 people (primarily in
Triesenberg
Triesenberg () is a Municipalities of Liechtenstein, municipality in Liechtenstein with a population of 2,636. Its area of makes it the largest municipality in Liechtenstein. The center of the municipality rests at an elevation of .
History
Tri ...
and
Malbun) speaking
Walser German.
Liechtensteiner Americans speaking
American English
American English, sometimes called United States English or U.S. English, is the set of variety (linguistics), varieties of the English language native to the United States. English is the Languages of the United States, most widely spoken lang ...
.
Holidays
Liechtenstein has 20 public holidays, which are:
New Year's Day
In the Gregorian calendar, New Year's Day is the first day of the calendar year, January 1, 1 January. Most solar calendars, such as the Gregorian and Julian calendars, begin the year regularly at or near the December solstice, northern winter ...
,
Saint Berchtold's Day,
Epiphany,
Candlemas,
Shrove Tuesday
Shrove Tuesday (also known as Pancake Tuesday or Pancake Day) is the final day of Shrovetide, which marks the end of the pre-Lenten season. Lent begins the following day with Ash Wednesday. Shrove Tuesday is observed in many Christian state, Ch ...
,
Saint Joseph's Day,
Good Friday
Good Friday, also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Great and Holy Friday, or Friday of the Passion of the Lord, is a solemn Christian holy day commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary (Golgotha). It is observed during ...
,
Easter Monday,
Labour Day
Labour Day is an annual day of celebration of the labour movement and its labor rights, achievements. It has its origins in the trade union, labour union movement, specifically the Eight-hour day movement, eight-hour day movement, which advoca ...
,
Ascension Day,
White Monday,
Corpus Christi,
National Day,
Nativity of Mary
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Nativity of Mary, Marymas or the Birth of the Virgin Mary, refers to a Christian feast day celebrating the birth of Mary, mother of Jesus.
The modern Biblical canon does not record Mary's birth. The ...
,
All Saints day
All Saints' Day, also known as All Hallows' Day, the Feast of All Saints, the Feast of All Hallows, the Solemnity of All Saints, and Hallowmas, is a Christianity, Christian solemnity celebrated in honour of all the saints of the Church, whether ...
,
Feast of the Immaculate Conception,
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is the evening or entire day before Christmas, the festival commemorating nativity of Jesus, the birth of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus. Christmas Day is observance of Christmas by country, observed around the world, and Christma ...
,
Christmas Day
Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. A liturgical feast central to Christianity, Chri ...
,
St. Stephen's Day, and
New Year's Eve
In the Gregorian calendar, New Year's Eve refers to the evening, or commonly the entire day, of the last day of the year, 31 December, also known as Old Year's Day. In many countries, New Year's Eve is celebrated with dancing, eating, drinkin ...
.
References
Sources
*
*{{cite book , last=Minahan , first=James , title=One Europe, many nations: a historical dictionary of European national groups , url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NwvoM-ZFoAgC , access-date=May 25, 2013 , year=2000 , publisher=
Greenwood Publishing Group
Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. (GPG) was an educational and academic publisher (middle school through university level) which was part of ABC-Clio. Since 2021, ABC-Clio and its suite of imprints, including GPG, are collectively imprints of ...
, isbn=0313309841 , page=769
Liechtenstein people
Ethnic groups in Liechtenstein