Liechtensteiners

Liechtensteiners (Liechtensteiner, ) are people native to Liechtenstein linked strictly with Swiss Germans and Swabians. 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 people.

Etymology
The word Lichtenstein come from Middle High German lieht (light) and stein (stone rock).

Lichtenstein
Approximately two-thirds (66.2%) of Lichtenstein's population, or 26,205 people, are ethnically Lichtensteiner.

United States
Lichtensteiner Americans in the United States number at 1244. The first recorded Lichtensteiner to move to America was a man named Joseph Batliner. In 1846 a flood followed by a famine caused 250 Lichtensteiners to move to America, this was the first large wave of emigration from Lichtenstein. Dubuque, Iowa became the destination for Lichtensteiners moving to America because the community was german speaking like the Lichtensteiners. The Lichtensteiners 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 and World War II where more waves of Lichtensteiners emigrating to America.

Other Locations
Small amounts of Lichtensteiners also emigrated to Canada and South America, mainly to Brazil and Argentina.

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 Lichtensteiners is Alemannic German, with 1,300 people (primarily in Triesenberg and Malbun) speaking Walser German. Lichtensteiner Americans speaking American English.

Holidays
Lichtenstein 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.