Grüezi! Welcome to one of the smallest and wealthiest nations in the world—Liechtenstein!

A tiny, double-landlocked principality tucked deep in the Alps between Switzerland and Austria. There are around 40,000 people living here, and the capital is Vaduz, a charming town overlooked by a medieval castle where the Royal Family still lives. The official language is German, specifically an Alemannic dialect that sounds very similar to Swiss German.

Liechtenstein covers only about 160 square kilometers (62 square miles). That’s roughly the same size as Washington, D.C., or about eight times smaller than the city of Los Angeles. You can actually hike across the entire width of the country in just a few hours! Despite its size, it is a mountainous powerhouse with steep slopes and the scenic Rhine River forming its western border.

The most popular sports are Skiing and Football. For a country with such a small population, they are incredibly successful in the Winter Olympics, particularly in alpine skiing. Their national animal is the Roe Deer, though the Golden Eagle is also a significant symbol of the alpine heights.

The flag consists of two horizontal stripes of blue and red with a gold crown in the upper left corner, where the blue represents the sky, the red symbolizes the evening fires in people’s homes, and the gold crown stands for the unity of the people and their princes.

The food is alpine comfort at its best, heavily influenced by Swiss and Austrian flavors. You must try Käsknöpfle, the national dish, which consists of small pasta dumplings covered in melted cheese and topped with crispy fried onions. Another favorite is Ribel, a traditional dish made from cornmeal or semolina that is fried in butter and often eaten with applesauce or elderberry compote.

Liechtenstein is home to Vaduz Castle, which sits on a cliffside and serves as the official residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein. While you can’t go inside the castle (since the Prince lives there!), the view from the trail leading up to it is spectacular. The country is also a global hub for High-Tech Industry and finance; interestingly, it is the world’s largest producer of false teeth! For hikers, the Liechtenstein Trail covers all 11 municipalities, taking you through flower-filled meadows and past ancient ruins. It is also one of the few countries in the world with more registered companies than citizens.

From the jagged peaks of the Grauspitz to the modern art of the Kunstmuseum, Liechtenstein is a tiny land with a very big heart. Danke! That means “Thank you!”