Andorra is officially known as the principality of Andorra. It is a small country. The landlocked country is situated in the Western Europe on the eastern Pyrenees mountain range. It shares its border with Spain in the south and France in the north. The capital Andorra la Vella is situated at 42 30 N, 1 31 E. Tourism is the dominating industry of the country, while Andorra has the highest human life expectancies in the world with an average of 83.5 years. The country is a member of United Nations and the Council of Europe since 1993. Our Lady of Meritxell Day on 8th September is celebrated as the National holiday. The Judicial codes are influenced by French and Spanish civil laws. Andorran defense forces are maintained by France and Spain together. Andorra has no personal defense force.
HISTORY:- Andorra was chartered by Charles the Great for fighting against the Moors. Later the power came to the bishop of Urgell who gave the power to the lord of Caboat. In the 11th century, the bishop and the northern neighbouring country came into a collision over possession of Andorra. The conflict was ended with a pareage, which declared that the sovereignty of Andorra would be shared by both the count of Foix and the bishop of La Seu d'Urgell. With the ascension of Henry IV of France, the head of the French state and the Bishop of Urgell became the co-princes of Andorra. In 1812, Andorra became a part of Puigcerda. During World War I, the small country, Andorra declared war against Germany but did not actually take part in the fighting. Andorra held the stature of belligerency until 1957. In 1933, the French captured the land. Boris Skossyreff was the self appointed sovereign prince of Andorra, but overpowered by the Spanish. In World War II, Andorra remained neutral. In 1936, French had sent soldiers to prevent Spanish influences in Andorra. Francoist soldiers landed on Andorra later. During World War II, it had flourished as a prominent tourist spot and turned up to be a smuggling route within Vichy France and Spain.
GEOGRAPHY:-Andorra is situated at 42 30 N, 1 30 E in Southern Europe on the eastern Pyrenees mountain range. The total land area occupied by Andorra is 468 sq km. It is a landlocked country. The lowest point is Riu Runer (840 m) and the highest point is Coma Pedrosa (2,946 m). As the country is located in a mountain range, most of the land is mountainous, disconnected by the ‘Y’ shaped valleys. Valira is the main river in the country.
CLIMATE:- Andorra’s climate is mostly temperate with snowy, cold winters and hot dry summers.
GOVERNMENT:- Andorra’s government is Parliamentary democratic. Andorra is a country co principality. The two princes are the President of France and bishop of Seo de Urgel of Spain. The constitution was drafted in 1991 and approved in 1993 but came to be effective since 28th April, 1993. The Heads of State are the two co-princes-President of France, Bishop of Seu d'Urgell in Spain. The three branches of the government are:
Executive branch comprises the Head of the Government (Executive Council President) and Executive Council (11 ministers).
Legislative branch comprises Consell General de las Valls (28 seats).
Judicial branch comprises Tribunal of Judges, Tribunal of the Courts, Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra, Supreme Council of Justice etc.
The important political parties are Andorran Democratic Center Party, Liberal Party of Andorra, and Social Democratic Party. Suffrage is universal at and over 18.
Executive branch comprises the Head of the Government (Executive Council President) and Executive Council (11 ministers).
Legislative branch comprises Consell General de las Valls (28 seats).
Judicial branch comprises Tribunal of Judges, Tribunal of the Courts, Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra, Supreme Council of Justice etc.
The important political parties are Andorran Democratic Center Party, Liberal Party of Andorra, and Social Democratic Party. Suffrage is universal at and over 18.
French Co-Prince Nicolas Sarkozy
Episcopal Co-Prince Joan Enric Vives Sicília
Head of Government Albert Pintat Santolària
Prime Minister Albert Pintat Santolaria
Episcopal Co-Prince Joan Enric Vives Sicília
Head of Government Albert Pintat Santolària
Prime Minister Albert Pintat Santolaria
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Andorra is divided into 7 parishes (Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, Escaldes-Engordany, La Massana, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria).
CULTURE:- Andorran culture is influenced by Catalan culture. Andorra’s rich folk tales are famous globally. Sardana, Saint Anne's dance, contrapàs and marratxa are the Andorran folk dances. Folk music is also influenced by Catalan music. Michèle Gazier and Ramon Villeró are the two famous writers of the land and of the region as well.
ECONOMY:- Andorran economy is mainly dominated by its tourism. It has a small but compact economy.
GDP/PPP (2005): $2.77 billion; per capita $38,800.
GDP/PPP (2005): $2.77 billion; per capita $38,800.
Real growth rate: 4%.
Inflation: 3.5%.
Unemployment: 0% (1996 est.).
Arable land: 2.13%.
Agriculture: small quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables; sheep.
Labor force: 42,420 (2005); agriculture 0.3%, industry 20.3%, services 79.4%.
Budget:
Revenues: $333.5 million
Expenditures: $386.6 million (2005)
Revenues: $333.5 million
Expenditures: $386.6 million (2005)
Industries: tourism (particularly skiing), cattle raising, timber, banking.
Natural resources: hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead.
Exports: $148.7 million f.o.b. (2005): tobacco products, furniture.
Exports - partners: Spain 59.5%, France 17.0% (2006)
Imports: $1.879 billion (2005): consumer goods, food, electricity.
Imports - partners: Spain 53.2%, France 21.1% (2006)
Major trading partners: Spain, France
Monetary units: Euro
LANGUAGE:- The official language is Catalan. Other spoken languages are French, Castilian, and Portuguese.
CITIES:-The largest city is capital city Andorra la Vella. Other important cities are El Serrat, Soldeu, Encamp, Les Escaldes etc.
POPULATION:- The estimated population of Andorra is 72,413 with a growth rate of 0.7%.
Density per sq mi: 412
Literacy rate: 100%
Density per sq mi: 412
Literacy rate: 100%
RACE:-
Spanish 43%
Andorran 33%
Portuguese 11%
French 7%
Other 6% (1998)
Spanish 43%
Andorran 33%
Portuguese 11%
French 7%
Other 6% (1998)
RELIGION:- Roman Catholic is the predominant religion of Andorra.
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 8.23 births/ 1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 6.63 deaths/ 1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 4.03 deaths/ 1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 83.53 years
Total fertility rate: 1.32 children born/ woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Birth rate: 8.23 births/ 1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 6.63 deaths/ 1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 4.03 deaths/ 1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 83.53 years
Total fertility rate: 1.32 children born/ woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 2,697
UNICEF:- UNICEF in Andorra focuses on child nutrition, child health, prevention of HIV, child protection and the betterment of the position of women. Foreign Minister of the Principality of Andorra Mr. Juli Minoves, visited UNICEF to present a $16,834 cheque with an objective to improve the scenario of girl education.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: 0 km.
Highways: total: 269 km; paved: 198 km; unpaved: 71 km.
Ports and harbors: none. Airports: none.
Railways: 0 km.
Highways: total: 269 km; paved: 198 km; unpaved: 71 km.
Ports and harbors: none. Airports: none.
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