Andorra

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Principality of Andorra
Principat d'Andorra
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Virtus Unita Fortior"  (Latin)
"Strength United is Stronger"
Anthem: El Gran Carlemany, Mon Pare  (Catalan)
The Great Charlemagne, my Father
Location of  Andorra  (green)on the European continent  (dark grey)  —  [Legend]
Location of  Andorra  (green)

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

Capital
and largest city
Andorra la Vella
42°30′N 1°31′E / 42.5°N 1.517°E / 42.5; 1.517
Official languages Catalan[1]3
Ethnic groups 36.6% Andorran, 33.0% Spanish, 16.3% Portuguese, 6.3% French, 7.8% others.[2]
Demonym Andorran
Government Unitary parliamentary democracy and Constitutional diarchy
 -  Co-Princes Joan Enric Vives Sicília
François Hollande
 -  Representatives Nemesi Marqués Oste
Sylvie Hubac
 -  Prime Minister Antoni Martí
Independence
 -  Paréage from the Crown of Aragon 
Area
 -  Total 467.63 km2 (191st)
180.55 sq mi
 -  Water (%) 0.26 (121.4 ha)[3][4]
Population
 -  31 December 2009 estimate 84,082[5] (194th)
 -  2006 census 69,150
 -  Density 179.8/km2 (71st)
465.7/sq mi
GDP (PPP) 2008 estimate
 -  Total $4.22 billion (155th)
 -  Per capita $44,900 (9th)
GDP (nominal) 2008 estimate
 -  Total $2.893 billion[6] (155th)
 -  Per capita $34,240[6] (28th)
Gini (2003) 27.21[7]
low
HDI (2011) Increase 0.838[8]
very high · 32nd
Currency Euro (€)1 (EUR)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 -  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Drives on the right
Calling code +376
Internet TLD .ad2
1. 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.
2. Also .cat, shared with Catalan-speaking territories.
3. Spanish, French, and Portuguese are also widely spoken and understood. (See Languages of Andorra)

Andorra (officially called the Principality of Andorra) is a European country between Spain and France. There are about 84,000 people living in the country. The capital is Andorra la Vella. It is ruled by a Spanish Bishop and the French President. 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.[9]

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

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

History[change | change source]

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. In 1607 Henry IV of France said the head of the French state and the Bishop of Urgell would be co-princes of Andorra.

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.

Andorra doesn't have an Army.[10] France and Spain help to defend Andorra. The country has a police force of 295.

Parishes[change | change source]

Andorra has seven parishes:

Geography[change | change source]

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

Cities[change | change source]

The largest cities in Andorra are:

Ranking Name Population
1 Andorra la Vella 19,319
2 Escaldes-Engordany 14,395
3 Encamp 8,470
4 Sant Julià de Lòria 7,518
5 La Massana 4,987
6 Santa Coloma 2,937
7 Ordino 2,780
8 El Pas de la Casa 2,613
9 Canillo 2,025
10 Arinsal 1,555

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

Religion[change | change source]

The population of Andorra is mostly (90%) Roman Catholic.[11] Their patron saint is Our Lady of Meritxell.

Education[change | change source]

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.

Related pages[change | change source]

References[change | change source]

  1. Constitution of Andorra (Article 2.1)
  2. Estadísticas de población de Andorra. Ministerio de Justicia e Interior de Andorra
  3. Girard P & Gomez P (2009), Lacs des Pyrénées: Andorre. (French)
  4. Andorra en xifres 2007: Situació geogràfica, Departament d'Estadística, Govern d'Andorra. Retrieved on 6 June 2010.
  5. Dades de població any 2009: 1- Població per parròquies al 31 de desembre del 2009, Departament d'Estadística, Govern d'Andorra. Retrieved on 6 June 2010.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Andorra 2008, Crèdit Andorrà.
  7. Estadistica.ad
  8. "Human Development Report 2010". United Nations. 2010. http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_2010_EN_Table1.pdf. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
  9. Estadistica.ad, Departament d'Estadística, Govern d'Andorra. (Catalan)
  10. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/an.html
  11. "CIA – The World Fact Book – Andorra". https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/an.html.