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Simeon Mitropolitski is a Canadian analyst, of Bulgarian origin, and a former syndicated columnist with the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA). He is the author of several hundred articles dealing with hot political and economic topics, both national and international.

He was part of the first group of Bulgarian intellectuals and students that began the opposition movement that finally put an end to the communist regime in this country in 1989, and in 1996-1997 participated in international observation teams during the elections in several Balkan countries - Romania, Albania and Bulgaria.

In 2002 Simeon and his family moved from Bulgaria to Canada where they live now in Montreal, province of Quebec. Simeon is a Master of Political Science from McGill University and a B.A. of Political Science and History.

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Liechtenstein stands next in our gallery of the European mini-states. Being landlocked between Austria and Switzerland, it was a political and economic supplement to the first during most of its history till the end of the World War I. Today it's an economic and security appendix to the second and it seems that this is more beneficial to the population's well-being. With a territory matching approximately that of Washington D.C., Liechtenstein can be seen in less than a day. On the other hand, this particular fact - the small territory and even smaller population, or at least this is the official explanation, has forced the country to refuse the offer to become EU member.

Being incapable to open widely the doors for anyone who wish to settle in this millionaires' paradise, the local government prefers to attract the big money and why not some of its holders. Today the number of companies surpasses that of people and even with its restrictive immigration policy almost 30% of the population are foreigners, mostly from other European countries. According to some statistics 47 Americans and 9 Canadians live permanently in the country, a number that didn't change considerably from the early 90's.

It seems that everything in Liechtenstein recently is made for the people, by the people and through the people. We just have to add that under the "people" we mean only rich people. Being one of the poorest countries in Western Europe till the end of the World War II, Liechtenstein today is one of the richest societies on the continent. The prices are close to those in Switzerland, which means that they are very high even by the European standards.

How Liechtenstein attracts so much money and so many affluent people? First, it has very low business taxes with the maximum rate of 20%. Second, it has liberal incorporation rules, which have brought a large number of holdings and the so-called mailbox companies to establish nominal offices in the country. Third, the country offers financial stability by using the Swiss franc as national currency and by participating in a custom union with Switzerland. Forth, by standing outside EU, Liechtenstein continues to enjoy a reputation of a tax heaven. Brussels wants to put an end to this game but whatever the result is, this particular financial status won't undergo a significant change in the coming months or even years.

Being a caring mother to the millionaires from around the world, Liechtenstein is rather a stepmother to the tight budget tourists. The hotels are among the most expensive in Europe and a day in this country can hardly be managed below $100. But the problems for the tourists don't end with the prices. Liechtenstein has no airport and the nearest one is in Zurich, Switzerland. There are also no local railways apart from the international line from Zurich to Vienna that has a stop north of the capital city of Vaduz. As the tourist director Roland Buechel says, the main problem for the tourist industry in the country is to make people aware of the existence of Liechtenstein and that it's worth a visit.

Liechtenstein profile:

• Area: 160 sq km
• Population: 32,842 (July 2002 est.)
• Net migration rate: 4.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
• Life expectancy at birth: 79.1 years
• Ethnic groups: Alemannic 86%, Italian, Turkish, and other 14%
• GDP per capita: purchasing power parity $23,000 (1998 est.)
• Labor force: 28,783 of which 13,847 are foreigners
• Main trading partners: EU, US, Switzerland
• Currency: Swiss franc

(Source: CIA - The World Factbook 2002)

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See also the directory of companies providing real estate services in, and general real estate information of Liechtenstein.