Andorra: Sovereign microstate between France and Spain, in Western Europe

Andorra (/ænˈdɒrə/ (listen)), officially the Principality of Andorra, is a landlocked sovereign country located in the eastern Pyrenees Mountains of Southern Europe and bordered by Spain and France.

Principality of Andorra
Principat d'Andorra  (Catalan)a
Principado de Andorra  (Spanish)b
Motto: Virtus Unita Fortior
"United virtue is stronger"
Anthem: El Gran Carlemany  (Catalan)
"The Great Charlemagne"
Location of  Andorra  (centre of green circle) on the European continent  (dark grey)  —  [Legend]
Location of  Andorra  (centre of green circle)

on the European continent  (dark grey)  —  [Legend]

Capital
and largest city
Andorra la Vella
42°30′N 1°31′E / 42.500°N 1.517°E / 42.500; 1.517
Official languagesCatalanb
Ethnic groups
(2017)
  • 48.8% Andorra Catalans
  • 25.1% Spaniard
  • 12% Occitan
  • 4.4% French
  • 9.7% others
Religion
Roman Catholicism
Demonym(s)Andorran
GovernmentUnitary parliamentary semi-elective diarchy
• Representatives
Xavier Espot Zamora
• General Syndic
Roser Suñé Pascuet
LegislatureGeneral Council
Independence
• from Aragon
8 September 1278
• from the French Empire
1814
• Constitution
2 February 1993
Area
• Total
467.63 km2 (180.55 sq mi) (178th)
• Water (%)
0.26 (121.4 ha)c
Population
• 2020 estimate
Increase 77,543 (203rd)
• Density
179.8/km2 (465.7/sq mi) (71st)
GDP (nominal)2018 estimate
• Total
$3.237 billion
• Per capita
$42,035
Gini (2003)27.21d
low
HDI (2019)Increase 0.868
very high · 36th
CurrencyEuro ()e (EUR)
Time zoneUTC+01 (CET)
• Summer (DST)
UTC+02 (CEST)
Driving sideright
Calling code+376
ISO 3166 codeAD
Internet TLD.adf
  1. Constitution of Andorra. In Spanish: Principado de Andorra, in French: Principauté d'Andorre.
  2. Spanish, Provençal and French are spoken by a significant minority
  3. (in French) Girard P & Gomez P (2009), Lacs des Pyrénées: Andorre.
  4. Informe sobre l'estat de la pobresa i la desigualtat al Principal d'Andorra (2003)
  5. Before 1999, the French franc and Spanish peseta; the coins and notes of both currencies, however, remained legal tender until 2002. Small amounts of Andorran diners (divided into 100 centim) were minted after 1982.
  6. Also .cat, shared with Catalan-speaking territories.

There are about 79,000 people living in the country. The capital is Andorra la Vella. It is ruled by a Spanish Bishop and the French President, who both hold the title of Co-Prince. Andorra's government is a parliamentary democracy.

Andorra is a rich country mostly because of tourism. There are about 10.2 million visitors each year.

The official language is Catalan, although Spanish and French are also used.

It is not a member of the European Union. The euro is the money used.

History

It is said that Charles the Great (Charlemagne) gave the Andorran people their country in return for fighting against the Moors.

Before 1095, Andorra did not have any type of military protection. The Lord of Caboet and the Bishop of Urgell decided to rule Andorra together. Andorra's first legislature was made in 1419.

Over time, the descendants of the Lord of Caboet eventually became the Kings of France. When France, became a republic, the French King's position as Co-Prince was taken by the President of France.

Andorra declared war on Imperial Germany during World War I. It did not do any fighting. They stayed against Germany until 1957 because they were not in the Treaty of Versailles.

Geography

Andorra is in the Pyrenees mountain range. The highest mountain is Coma Pedrosa.

Cities

The largest cities in Andorra are:

No. Name Population
1 Andorra la Vella 22,440
2 Escaldes-Engordany 14,599
3 Encamp 11,688
4 La Massana 10,174
5 Sant Julià de Lòria 9,375
6 Ordino 4,942
7 Canillo 4,325

For other locations in Andorra, see List of cities in Andorra.

Politics

The politics of Andorra are very unique in comparison to the rest of the world. There are two heads of state, the Bishop of Urgell and the President of France, who hold the title of Co-Prince. This is because of an ancient treaty which said the Bishop of Urgell and the French leader would be the Co-Princes.

There is also an elected legislature named the General Council. It has between 28 and 42 members. The head of government is a member of the Council who is elected to the position by the Council.

Andorra doesn't have an Army. France and Spain help to defend Andorra. The country has a police force of 295.

Religion

The population of Andorra is mostly (90%) Roman Catholic. Their patron saint is Our Lady of Meritxell.

Education

Children between the ages of 6 and 16 must have full-time education. Education up to secondary level is paid by the government.

The University of Andorra (UdA) is the state public university. It is the only university in Andorra.

References

Other websites

Tags:

Andorra HistoryAndorra GeographyAndorra PoliticsAndorra ReligionAndorra EducationAndorra Related pagesAndorra Other websitesAndorraAbout this soundEn-us-Andorra.oggFranceHelp:IPA/EnglishLandlocked countryList of countriesPyrenees MountainsSouthern EuropeSpain

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