French Franc (US $1 = 7.25), Spanish Peseta (US $1 = 190.91)
Religion
Christianity
Literacy
100%
Languages
Catalan (official), Spanish, French
Major Cities
Andorra la Vella, Les Escaldes-Engordany, Encamp
Climate
Temperate climate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers
INTRODUCTION
Andorra is a European state located in the heart of the Pyrenees, between France and Spain. For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality, ruled by the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Urgel. In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads of state being retained, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy. Andorra is a tiny yet a charismatic country comprising some of the most dramatic scenery and the best skiing grounds in the world. There are also plenty of good hiking opportunities in the high, remote parts of the country, away from the hustle-bustle of the town crowd and the heavy traffic.
Location of Andorra
The country of Andorra is tucked away in Southwestern Europe, between France (Ariège, Pyrénées Orientales) and Spain (Catalonia).
Climate of Andorra
The climate of Andorra is temperate in nature. People there enjoy many days of sun throughout the year. Summers are usually warm and dry while winters are snowy and cold.
Flora And Fauna of Andorra
Andorra, owing to its position on the East side of the Pyrenees and its diverse landscape, has a rich variety of flora and fauna. Wild goat, wild boar, martens, capercaillie, white partridge and wild trout live in the Andorran Pyrenees and benefit from the abundant flora which runs into more than 1,150 different species.
Physical Map of Andorra
Andorra has rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys. It is basically 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 made up of meadows, mountain and woods. Water is one of the most important natural resources. 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°C in the parish of Escaldes-Engordany and are especially suitable for treating rheumatism and skin disorders.
History & Political Map 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 1419, the Andorrans asked the co-Princes, who held decisive powers in economic, judicial and military matters, 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.
