Andorra Information Guide & Facts

 Andorra

Climate and Landscape

Andorra is a European state located in the heart of the Pyrenees, between France and Spain (Catalonia). The Andorran frontier with France is 37 km long, and with Spain, 64 km.

Andorra, with a territorial area of 468 sq. km. and a population of 65.844, is the highest inhabited state in Europe.

It is a mountainous country, with 65 peaks above 2,500 m. The highest peak is Coma Pedrosa, at an altitude of 2,947 m, and the lowest point is 840 m.

Developed and cultivated land only accounts for some 8% to 9% of Andorran territory. The rest of the country is meadows, mountain and woods.

Water is one of the most important natural resources in the Principality. Apart from the four water courses running through its territory: the Valira del Nord, the Valira d'Orient, the Madriu and the Gran Valira, which provide a rich source of water, Andorra has thermal springs which surface at a temperature of 70 degrees celcius in the parish of Escaldes-Engordany and are especially suitable for treating rheumatism and skin disorders.

The Principality has a healthy, mild climate, and enjoys many days of sun throughout the year.

Moreover, its position on the East side of the Pyrenees and its diverse landscape are the reason for its rich flora and variety of fauna: wild goat, wild boar, martens, capercaillie, white partridge and wild trout live in the Andorran Pyrenees and benefit from the abundant flora of over 1,150 different species.

The Principality of Andorra has the largest skiable area in the Pyrenees. The country can offer 5 ski stations, 177 slopes representing a distance of 286 km, 105 skilifts, the services of about 580 instructors and 1083 snow canons which guarantee skiing during the whole season. All this in a territory which measures only 468 sq.km.

Visa requirements

Andorra does not require visas from tourists, although as you must enter Andorra via France or Spain, citizens from outside the European Community (Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Greece, United Kingdom and Ireland) who need a visa must get a Schengen multiple-entry visa in order to be able to enter and exit Andorra without problems. The Schengen visa for entering and exiting the European Community can be obtained from a Spanish or French Consulate in any country. click here for consulates arround the world.

Some quick references

Location: Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain 
Geographic coordinates: 42 30 N, 1 30 E 
Map references: Europe 
Area: total: 468 sq km
Water: 0 sq km
Land: 468 sq km 
Land boundaries: total: 120.3 km
Border countries: France 56.6 km, Spain 63.7 km  
Climate: temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers 
Terrain: rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys 
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Riu Runer 840 m
highest point: Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m 
Natural resources: hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead 
Land use: arable land: 2.22% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.78% (1998 est.) 
Geography - note: landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in the Pyrenees

Brief history of Andorra

The first signs of human life in Andorra appear at the end of the last ice-age but, according to legend, Charlemagne founded Andorra in 805 in recognition of the support its inhabitants gave him against the Saracens.

The Act of Consecration of the cathedral of Santa Maria d'Urgell is the first known document which mentions, in 839, the parishes of Andorra as the fief of the Counts of Urgell. From the 11th century on, the power of the bishops of Urgell over Andorra increased progressively until in 1133 it reconverted to the Ecclesiastical Lords.

In the 13th century, a period of struggles and hostilities began between the bishops of Urgell and the Counts of Foix (the motive for the discord being sovereignty over Andorra), which ended with the signing of two successive arbitration awards called Pariatges (1278 -1288) between the Bishop of Urgell, Pere d'Urg, and the Count of Foix, Roger Bernat III. The signing of these two arbitration awards meant that the Bishop of Urgell and the Count of Foix established co-sovereignty over Andorra: the Principality of Andorra was born and institutional stability assured.

Today, Andorra is still a co-principality, with the Bishop of Urgell and the President of the French Republic as co-Princes, each holding equal, personal title.

When the Count of Foix became King of France, as Henri IV, the title of co-Prince was transferred to the French Crown; later it was discarded during the French Revolution and in 1806, at the Andorrans' own request, Napoleon re-established the arrangement as before. From the 19th century on, this title has been held by the President of the French Republic in office.

The Pariatges set out the powers of each co-Prince in economic, judicial and military matters, they mark the beginning of the present political regime and, until 1993, were the most important point of reference.

Nevertheless, since the 13th century, the political organization of the Principality has continued to evolve.

 In 1419, the Andorrans asked the co-Princes to grant them the right to meet and manage community problems for themselves. So the Consell de la Terra was set up, the first parliament which preceded the Consell General of today, bringing together representatives from all the parishes.

In 1866, ratification of the Nova Reforma (New Reform) by the co-Princes brought new changes in the political administration: the right to vote for heads of households and increased power to the Consell General to the cost of the parishes.

In 1933, universal male suffrage was adopted and in 1970, women were granted the right to vote.

Finally, 15 January 1981 represents an important date in Andorran history because, at the request of the Andorrans and by way of a decree from the co-Princes, the Consell Executiu was set up, which is the Andorran Government, and the president is elected by Parliament.

After 1981, Andorra entered a period of reforms with the aim of adapting its institutions to the requirements of the modern world, while preserving its own identity at the same time.

This process ended on 14 March 1993, with the first written Andorran Constitution, converting the Principality into an independent state, with democratic and social law and new definitions of institutional powers.

The text of the constitution was submitted to a referendum of the Andorran people on 14 March 1993, and 74% of Andorrans voted for the Constitution. The Principality became a civil state with new definitions of institutional powers.

A major step for the Principality of Andorra was to obtain recognition from the international community by joining the UN on 28 June 1993, becoming the 184th member state. 

Abstracts taken from the  Tourism Organisation of Andorra