Andorra is an independent principality, located in the Pyrenees Orientales, between Spain and France. It has a surface area of 468 km2. The most important cities are Andorra la Vella, the capital, with 22,000 residents (1997), Les Escaldes (15,000 residents) and Encamp (9800 residents).
In winter, the weather is cold and snowy. The summer is moderately hot and dry.
Economy
Andorra’s economy is based on tourism, attracted by tax-free trade and the practice of winter sports. In this way, the hotel industry and commerce are the most dynamic sectors of the economy and those that employ the greatest number of labor. In agriculture, only tobacco production has significance. The industry is limited to the bottling of mineral water and the production of electrical material. Handicrafts produce several typical objects. There are no direct taxes; only indirect, but in a moderate way. The currency used in Andorra is the euro.
Population
The population of the principality is 71 201 residents (2006), which corresponds to a density of approximately 150.75 residents/km 2 . The birth rate is 8.71% and the mortality rate is 6.25%. Average life expectancy is 83.51 years, one of the highest in the world. It is estimated that in 2025 the population will be 78 000 residents. The most representative nationalities in the population of Andorra are Spanish, with 46%; andorran, 28%; the Portuguese, 11% and the French, 8%. The majority religion is Catholicism. The official language is Catalan, which is due to the strong affinity that the principality traditionally has with Catalonia, a region in the Northeast of Spain. Castilian and French are also spoken.
History
Andorra was jointly governed by representatives of the Spanish bishopric of Urgel and the French Head of State. This system of feudal government, the last in Europe, remained intact until 1993, when the constitution was adopted, approved by the population after a national referendum. Government autonomy, at the executive, legislative and judicial levels, has been gradually established. However, the prince remains the Head of State. Currently, the territory has full control of its foreign policy, in addition to starting to integrate international organizations.
Abbreviationfinder.org: Provides most commonly used abbreviations and initials containing the country name of Andorra. Listed by popularity.
1UpTravel.com – Maps of Andorra
Browse a collection of three country maps, including a political map of Andorra, a southwestern European country, between France and Spain.
