The Principality of Andorra

Monday, 18 May 2015 - 12:56 pm (CET/MEZ) Berlin | Author/Destination:
Category/Kategorie: General, European Union

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Arcalis - Pleta de Castellar © Simonjoan

Arcalis – Pleta de Castellar © Simonjoan

Andorra is a small landlocked country in southwestern Europe, located in the eastern Pyrenees mountains and bordered by Spain and France. It is the sixth smallest nation in Europe having an area of 468 km2 (181 sq mi) and an estimated population of 84,082 in 2009. Its capital, Andorra la Vella, is the highest capital city in Europe, being at an elevation of 1023 metres. The official language is Catalan, although Spanish, Portuguese, and French are also commonly spoken. The Principality was formed in 1278. The role of monarch is exercised jointly by the two co-princes, the President of the French Republic and the Bishop of Urgell, Catalonia.

Andorra is a prosperous country mainly because of its tourism industry, which services an estimated 10.2 million visitors annually, and also because of its status as a tax haven. It is not a member of the European Union, but the euro is the de facto currency. The people of Andorra have the 4th highest human life expectancy in the world – 82 years.

Andorra la Vella - Andorran Parliament © flickr.com - lorentey Andorra la Vella - Center © flickr.com - alfonsobenayas Well in Andorra la Vella © flickr.com - lorentey Andorra map © Karl Musser Andorra la Vella - Street view in Santa Coloma © Alaexis Scenery of Andorran mountains © Christof Damian Ordino - Sant Marti de la Cortinada © flickr.com - lorentey Ordino Valley © Josemanuel Encamp, seen from Vall dels Cortals © Josemanuel Christmas in Andorra la Vella © Joanut OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Arcalis - Pleta de Castellar © Simonjoan
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Andorra la Vella - Andorran Parliament © flickr.com - lorentey
Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra’s tiny, well-to-do economy, accounts for roughly 80% of GDP. An estimated 10.2 million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra’s duty-free status and by its summer and winter resorts. Andorra’s relative advantage has recently eroded as the economies of adjoining France and Spain have been opened up, providing broader availability of goods and lower tariffs.

The banking sector, with its 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. Some tobacco is grown locally. The principal livestock activity is domestic sheep raising. Manufacturing output consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, and furniture. Andorra’s natural resources include hydroelectric power, mineral water, timber, iron ore, and lead. Andorra has one of the world’s lowest unemployment rates, with the statistics showing 2.9% unemployment within the country.

Read more on Government of Andorra, Andorra Information, Wikitravel Andorra and Wikipedia Andorra. Learn more about the use of photos. To inform you about latest news most of the city, town or tourism websites offer a newsletter service and/or operate Facebook pages/Twitter accounts. In addition more and more destinations, tourist organisations and cultural institutions offer Apps for your Smart Phone or Tablet, to provide you with a mobile tourist guide (Smart Traveler App by U.S. Department of State - Weather report by weather.com - Johns Hopkins University & Medicine - Coronavirus Resource Center - Global Passport Power Rank - Democracy Index - GDP according to IMF, UN, and World Bank - Global Competitiveness Report - Corruption Perceptions Index - Press Freedom Index - World Justice Project - Rule of Law Index - UN Human Development Index - Global Peace Index - Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index). If you have a suggestion, critique, review or comment to this blog entry, we are looking forward to receive your e-mail at comment@wingsch.net. Please name the headline of the blog post to which your e-mail refers to in the subject line.




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