Which small European country uses Vaduz as its capital?

Liechtenstein is the small European country whose capital is Vaduz. The town lies along the Rhine River and serves as the seat of the country’s government and princely family.

Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked German-speaking principality between Switzerland and Austria. A doubly landlocked country is surrounded only by countries that are themselves landlocked, so reaching the sea from Liechtenstein requires crossing at least two international borders.

The country’s territory consists largely of Alpine landscapes, with the Rhine valley forming its western side and mountains rising to the east. Vaduz is known for Vaduz Castle, the residence of the prince, although the castle is not generally open to the public. The national parliament, called the Landtag, meets in Vaduz.

Liechtenstein became a principality in 1719 and joined a customs and monetary union with Switzerland in the nineteenth century. Swiss currency is used there, but the country remains a separate sovereign state with its own government and identity.