Andorra
Andorra is a tiny country high in the Pyrenees run by two joint heads of state: the President of France and a Spanish bishop.
- CapitalAndorra la VellaThe highest capital in Europe at 1,023 m
- PopulationAbout 80,000Nestled between France and Spain
- Area468 km2Entirely mountainous
- Heads of stateTwo co-princesThe French president and a Spanish bishop
Andorra sits entirely in the Pyrenees between France and Spain, a country of steep valleys and peaks over 2,900 m. Everything is high: even the capital is over 1,000 m above sea level, the highest in Europe.
Its system of government is unique. Since 1278 Andorra has been ruled jointly by two co-princes, an arrangement that survives today with the President of France and the Bishop of Urgell in Spain sharing the role, neither of them Andorran.
National symbols
- National animal Pyrenean chamois
- National flower Grandalla, a narcissus
- National anthem El Gran Carlemany (Translation: The Great Charlemagne)
- National day Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September
Map of Andorra
Geography
Andorra covers 468 km2 and borders only France and Spain. It is landlocked and entirely mountainous.
The country lies in the eastern Pyrenees, with steep valleys draining into the Valira river. The highest point is Coma Pedrosa at 2,942 m and the lowest is still 840 m above sea level. Around a third of the country is protected nature reserve.
Climate
Andorra has an alpine climate: cold snowy winters and mild summers, cooler than the lowlands of France and Spain on either side.
Snow lies on the higher slopes from November to April, which supports a large ski industry. Summers are pleasant, around 15C to 25C in the valleys, and the country gets around 300 sunny days a year.
Culture
Catalan is the official language, making Andorra the only country in the world where Catalan is the sole official language. Spanish, French and Portuguese are all widely spoken.
Around 90 per cent of Andorrans are Catholic. Romanesque churches with distinctive stone bell towers dot the valleys, and the Sant Joan de Caselles church dates from the 1100s. Only around a third of residents are Andorran citizens.
Economy
Tourism drives the economy, with around 8 million visitors a year, mainly for skiing in winter and hiking in summer.
Duty-free shopping is the other draw: Andorra is not in the EU and has low taxes, so people cross the border to buy alcohol, tobacco, electronics and perfume. Banking is also significant.
The flag
Three vertical bands of blue, yellow and red, combining elements of the French and Spanish flags to reflect the country's two protectors.
The coat of arms in the centre has four quarters: the mitre and crozier of the Bishop of Urgell, the arms of the Count of Foix, the stripes of Catalonia and the cows of Bearn. The motto beneath reads "Virtus Unita Fortior", meaning strength united is stronger.