History
Andorra is a small landlocked country located in the eastern Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain. Its history can be traced back to the 8th century, when it was ruled by the Moors. In the 9th century, Charlemagne incorporated the region into the Carolingian Empire. In the 11th century, Andorra became a feudal state, with two co-princes: the bishop of Urgell in Spain and the French head of state, who was initially the count of Foix and later the French president.
Throughout the centuries, Andorra was known for its strategic location and was frequently fought over by its neighboring countries. In the 19th century, Andorra remained neutral during the Napoleonic Wars but was briefly occupied by France in 1812. In 1866, Andorra officially became a sovereign state under a new constitution, with the two co-princes retaining their positions.
During the Spanish Civil War, Andorra remained neutral and became a popular smuggling route for refugees and goods. In World War II, it again remained neutral and served as a safe haven for refugees.
In 1993, Andorra adopted a new constitution that established it as a parliamentary democracy, with the two co-princes remaining as ceremonial heads of state. Today, Andorra has a mixed economy with tourism as its main industry, due to its scenic beauty and ski resorts.
Andorra is known for its political stability, low taxes, and high standard of living. The country is not a member of the European Union, but it uses the euro as its official currency. Despite its small size, Andorra has managed to preserve its unique culture and language, with Catalan being its official language
Basic Facts
Capital
Andorra la Vella
Population
78,015
Area
467.63 km2
Official Religion
Roman Catholicism
Official Language
Catalan
Ethnic Groups
48.8% Andorran 25.1% Spanish 12% Portuguese 4.4% French 9.7% others
Currency
Euro (€)[e] (EUR)
Time Zone
UTC+01 (CET) Summer (DST) UTC+02 (CEST)
Date Format
dd/mm/yyyy
Driving Side
Right[13]
Calling Code
+376
ISO 3166 Code
AD
Internal TLD
ad[f]
Demonyms
Andorran
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Amazing Facts
Andorra is a small landlocked country located in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain.
Andorra is one of the smallest countries in Europe, with a total area of only 468 square kilometers.
Andorra has a population of approximately 77,000 people.
The official language of Andorra is Catalan, although Spanish, French, and Portuguese are also widely spoken.
Andorra has been ruled jointly by the President of France and the Bishop of Urgell in Catalonia, Spain, since 1278.
Andorra is not a member of the European Union, but it uses the euro as its official currency.
The economy of Andorra is largely dependent on tourism and the country is known for its ski resorts and duty-free shopping.
Andorra is home to a number of stunning natural attractions, including the Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Andorra has a relatively high life expectancy of around 83 years.
The country has a well-developed healthcare system, which is largely financed by the government.