The Principality of Liechtenstein is situated in Central Europe between Switzerland in the west and Austria in the east. Liechtensteiner cuisine is influenced by its neighbors' cuisines, the large variety of cheese dishes and the main ingredients of a local dish is cheese, meat and vegetables.
The Swiss Frank (plural: Franken) has been the currency of Liechtenstein since 1920. The Swiss franc is legal tender since Liechtenstein is in a customs and monetary union with Switzerland. The 1980 treaty between Switzerland and Liechtenstein allows Liechtenstein to mint Swiss franc coins, but not to issue banknotes.
Over the past few years Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein, has become more and more the center of the whole region, and houses not just the Parliament but has been the residence of the Prince since 1938. Vaduz was first mentioned in documents in 1150.