Liechtensteiners
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| c. 34,000[1] (Liechtensteiners worldwide; 2000.) | |
| Languages | |
| German (Alemannic German) Swiss-German Sign Language | |
| Religion | |
| Historically Christian (predominantly Roman Catholic, with other small minorities)[2] | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Swabians, Swiss Germans and Vorarlbergers |
Liechtensteiners (German: Liechtensteiner, pronounced [ˈlɪçtn̩ˌʃtaɪ̯nɐ] ⓘ) are people native to Liechtenstein descended from Swiss Germans and Swabians.[1][3] Approximately 34,000 Liechtensteiners were noted at the turn of the 21st century.[1]
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.[4] Modern Liechtensteiners are descendants of the Alemanni people.[5]
Etymology
The word Liechtenstein come from Middle High German lieht (light) and stein (stone rock).[6]
Distribution
Liechtenstein
Approximately two-thirds (66.2%) of Liechtenstein's population, or 26,205 people, are Liechtensteiners.[7]
United States
Liechtensteiner Americans in the United States number 1,244.[8] The first recorded Liechtensteiner to move to America was 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 became the favored destination for Liechtensteiners moving to America, because the community was German-speaking. Liechtensteiners in Dubuque formed a close-knit community often marrying each other and godfathering each other's children. After this wave, a small trickle continued with spikes after World War I and World War II.[9]
Other Locations
Small numbers of Liechtensteiners immigrated to Canada and South America, mainly to Brazil and Argentina.[9]
Religion
Roman Catholicism is the state religion of Liechtenstein. As of the 2020 census, 70% of Liechtensteiners were Catholic, while 8% were other Christians. Sixteen percent practiced other faiths (6% Muslim, 10% no affiliation), while 4% were undeclared.[10] Many shops and businesses close for the Sabbath.[11]
Culture
Much of Liechtenstein's culture come from nearby European influences.[11]
Language
The language most prevalent among Liechtensteiners is Alemannic German, with 1,300 people (primarily in Triesenberg and Malbun) speaking Walser German.[12] Liechtensteiner Americans speak American English.
Holidays
Liechtenstein has 20 public holidays, which are: New Year's Day, Saint Berchtold's Day, Epiphany, Candlemas, Shrove Tuesday, Saint Joseph's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Ascension Day, White Monday, Corpus Christi, National Day, Nativity of Mary, All Saints day, Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, St. Stephen's Day, and New Year's Eve.
References
- ^ a b c Minahan 2000, p. 411
- ^ Volkszählung 2010 – Amt für Statistik. Retrieved on 2016-01-13.
- ^ Waldman & Mason 2006, p. 486
- ^ "History". tourismus.li. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
- ^ Waldman & Mason 2006.
- ^ "Lichtenstein Name Meaning & Lichtenstein Family History at Ancestry.com®". www.ancestry.com. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
- ^ "Bevölkerungsstatistik 30. Juni 2017" [Population statistics] (PDF). Archives - Liechtenstein National Administration (in German). June 30, 2017.
- ^ "Responses to the Ancestry Question by Detailed Ancestry Code". United States Census. 2000. Archived from the original on May 9, 2009.
Spreadsheet download
- ^ a b "Nach Amerika! - English Summary of Volume I" (PDF). Archives - Liechtenstein National Administration.
- ^ "Liechtenstein". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
- ^ a b "Liechtenstein — History and Culture". www.iexplore.com. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
- ^ "The Languages spoken in Liechtenstein".
Sources
- Waldman, Carl; Mason, Catherine (2006). Encyclopedia of European Peoples. Infobase Publishing. p. 296. ISBN 1438129181. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
- Minahan, James (2000). One Europe, many nations: a historical dictionary of European national groups. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 769. ISBN 0313309841. Retrieved May 25, 2013.