Andorra

Andorra Background

For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality, ruled by 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.

Andorra Information

• Population: 69,865 (July 2004 est.)
• Nationality: noun: Andorran(s) adjective: Andorran
• Location:: Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain
• Religions:: Roman Catholic (predominant)
• Ethnic Groups:: Spanish 43%, Andorran 33%, Portuguese 11%, French 7%, other 6% (1998)
• Land Boundaries:: total: 120.3 km border countries: France 56.6 km, Spain 63.7 km
• Area: total: 468 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 468 sq km
• Coast Line: 0 km (landlocked)
• Climate: temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers
• Terrain: rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys
• Maritime Claims: none (landlocked)
• Land Use: arable land: 2.22% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.78% (2001)
• Environmental Issues: deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil erosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal
• Natural Resources: hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead
• Highways: total: 269 km paved: 198 km unpaved: 71 km (1994)
• Railways:
• Ports & Harbours: none
• Airports: