For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality, ruled by French and Spanish leaders (from 1607 onward, the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Urgel). In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads of state retained, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy. Long isolated and impoverished, mountainous Andorra achieved considerable prosperity since World War II through its tourist industry. Many immigrants (legal and illegal) are attracted to the thriving economy with its lack of income taxes.

Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain

42 30 N, 1 30 E

Europe

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

0 km (landlocked)

none (landlocked)

temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers

rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys

hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead

NA

avalanches

deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil erosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal

landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in the Pyrenees

83,888 (July 2009 est.)

1.135% (2009 est.)

10.35 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)

5.89 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)

6.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)

1.33 children born/woman (2009 est.)

NA

NA

NA

Spanish 43%, Andorran 33%, Portuguese 11%, French 7%, other 6% (1998)

Roman Catholic (predominant)

Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese

2.3% of GDP (2006)

parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as its chiefs of state a coprincipality; the two princes are the president of France and bishop of Seo de Urgel, Spain, who are represented locally by coprinces' representatives

7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, Escaldes-Engordany, La Massana, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria

1278 (formed under the joint suzerainty of the French Count of Foix and the Spanish Bishop of Urgel)

Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278)

Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991; approved by referendum 14 March 1993; effective 28 April 1993

based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

18 years of age; universal

unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de las Valls (28 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 14 from a single national constituency and 14 to represent each of the seven parishes; to serve four-year terms)

Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courts or Tribunal de Corts; Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or Tribunal Superior de Justicia d'Andorra; Supreme Council of Justice or Consell Superior de la Justicia; Fiscal Ministry or Ministeri Fiscal; Constitutional Tribunal or Tribunal Constitucional

Andorra for Change [Juan Eusebio NOMEN CALVET]; New Center [Vicenc MATEU] (formerly Andorran Democratic Center Party); Liberal Party of Andorra or PLA [Joan Gabriel i ESTANY] (formerly Liberal Union or UL); Reformist Coalition (includes the Liberal Party and New Center) [Joan Gabriel i ESTANY]; Social Democratic Party or PS [Jaume BARTUMEU CASSANY] (formerly part of National Democratic Group or AND)

NA

CE, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, Union Latina, UNWTO, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer)

the US does not have an embassy in Andorra; the US Ambassador to Spain is accredited to Andorra; US interests in Andorra are represented by the Consulate General's office in Barcelona (Spain); mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; telephone: [34] (93) 280-2227; FAX: [34] (93) 280-6175

three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red, with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the coat of arms features a quartered shield; the flag combines the blue and red French colors with the red and yellow of Spain to show Franco-Spanish protection

Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy, accounts for more than 80% of GDP. An estimated 11.6 million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and by its summer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative advantage has recently eroded as the economies of neighboring France and Spain have been opened up, providing broader availability of goods and lower tariffs. The banking sector, with its partial "tax haven" status, also contributes substantially to the economy. Agricultural production is limited - only 2% of the land is arable - and most food has to be imported. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising. Manufacturing output consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, and furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs) and as a non-EU member for agricultural products.

$3.66 billion (2007)

$3.588 billion (2006)

$2.77 billion (2005)

$NA

2% (2007 est.)

3.5% (2005 est.)

$42,500 (2007)

$38,800 (2005)

42,230 (2007)

0% (2007)

0% (2006)

NA%

3.9% (2007)

3.2% (2005)

small quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables; sheep

tourism (particularly skiing), cattle raising, timber, banking, tobacco, furniture

NA%

NA kWh

NA kWh

NA kWh

NA kWh; note - most electricity supplied by Spain and France; Andorra generates a small amount of hydropower

$117.1 million f.o.b. (2007)

tobacco products, furniture

$1.789 billion (2007)

consumer goods, food, electricity

$NA

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7306 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)

37,200 (2007)

68,500 (2007)

AM 0, FM 1, shortwave 0 (easy access to radio and television broadcasts originating in France and Spain) (2007)

1 (2007)

.ad

23,368 (2008)

58,900 (2007)

no regular military forces, Police Service of Andorra (2008)

defense is the responsibility of France and Spain

none