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Location
Western Europe, border of France and Spain.
Time
GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).
Area
467.8 sq km (180.6 sq miles).
Population
75,000 (UN estimate 2007).
Population Density
160 per sq km.
Capital
Andorra la Vella. Population: 22,000 (2005).
Geography
Andorra is situated in the eastern Pyrenees, bordered by France to the north and east and Spain to the south and west. It is roughly halfway between Barcelona and Toulouse. The landscape consists of gorges and narrow valleys surrounded by mountains. Much of the landscape is forested, but there are several areas of rich pastureland in the valleys. There are four rivers and several mountain lakes. Ski resorts and the spa town of Les Escaldes are Andorra’s main attractions.
Government
Principality under the suzerainty of the President of France and the Spanish Bishop of Urgel.
Head of State
Co-heads Joan Enric Vives i Sicilia (Bishop of la Seu d'Urgell) since 2003 and Nicolas Sarkozy (President of France) since 2007.
Head of Government
Albert Pintat since 2005.
Recent History
The present Andorran constitution, introduced in 1993, formally defined Andorra as a principality. Administration is in the hands of a general council with 28 members, four from each of the seven parishes, elected by universal suffrage. The council elects a president and a vice-president. Domestic politics are dominated by two parties - the Uniò Liberal (UL) and the Agrupament Nacional Democràtic (AND).
Following a comprehensive victory in the February 1997 poll, at which the UL took 18 of the 28 seats on the Conseil Général, a UL government took office under the leadership of Marc Forné Molné. Four years later, in 2001, the electorate returned the Molné government for a second term, again with an absolute majority. However, in 2005, Albert Pintat of the Liberal Party became prime minister, although not with an absolute majority. Molné lost his seat in the 2005 election but, in any case, was barred by the constitution from standing for a new term.
Following a comprehensive victory in the February 1997 poll, at which the UL took 18 of the 28 seats on the Conseil Général, a UL government took office under the leadership of Marc Forné Molné. Four years later, in 2001, the electorate returned the Molné government for a second term, again with an absolute majority. However, in 2005, Albert Pintat of the Liberal Party became prime minister, although not with an absolute majority. Molné lost his seat in the 2005 election but, in any case, was barred by the constitution from standing for a new term.
Language
The official language is Catalan. Spanish and French are also spoken.
Religion
Roman Catholic.
Electricity
Sockets: 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Lighting: 125 volts AC.
Social Conventions
Normal social courtesies should be extended when visiting someone’s home. Handshaking is the accepted form of greeting. Dress is informal and smoking is very common; customs are similar to those of Spain.
