Culture & Identity of Liechtenstein
Introduction
The small Principality of Liechtenstein can at times seem like one large community, in which everyone knows everyone else. Although this is not true, the people are quite similar in so many ways, beginning with their close living proximity. The country is truly a mountain valley centered on the city of Vaduz. But no one is far from the city and the life from city to country varies little unless one truly spends all his or her time in Vaduz or outside of Vaduz.
Most of the people in Liechtenstein are highly educated (although there are no universities in the country, many people go to university in nearby countries), with jobs primarily in the services industries. In fact, the situation is so favorable, the country is one of the wealthiest in the world with a GDP per capita of nearly $90,000. However, with high wages also come high prices.
The people tend to work hard to earn this money, most workers have regularly scheduled job hours, often beginning work at about 8:00 am and ending at about 6:00 pm. Likewise, many children go to school similar hours, although schools generally end in the early to midafternoon.