 |
|
| ⇒ Country Profile: Andorra |
|
 Introduction
Almost hidden in the eastern Pyrenees, the tiny Principality of Andorra is a land of narrow valleys and mountainous landscapes, bordered by France and Spain.
Most of the settlements can be found along the main road that traverses the country - many villages or hamlets are filled with Romanesque churches and houses built in the local style. Others, off the main road, are even more unspoilt, and provide spectacular views across the rugged countryside.
Andorra is one of the oldest nations in Europe, originally established by Charlemagne as a buffer state against the Iberian muslims. As a result of the Paretages of 1278 and 1288, control of the country was split between the Spanish Bishop of Urgell and a nominee appointed by the King of France (initially the Count de Foix) and subsequently by the French emperors and presidents. This unique power-sharing arrangement lasted until the late 20th century when the present constitution formally enshrined Andorra as a principality.
|
|
Contact Information
Keys Facts
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
Jaume Bartumeu Cassany since 2009.
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 Unio Liberal (UL) and the Agrupament Nacional Democratic (AND).
Following a comprehensive victory in the February 1997 poll, at which the UL took 18 of the 28 seats on the Conseil General, a UL government took office under the leadership of Marc Forne Molne. Four years later, in 2001, the electorate returned the Molne 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. Molne lost his seat in the 2005 election but, in any case, was barred by the constitution from standing for a new term.
In April 2009, the Social Democratic Party won the parliamentary election and in June 2009 Jaume Bartumeu Cassany assumed office as Head of Government.
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.
|
|
Accommodation
Mountain Refuges
Mountain refuges offer cheap and basic accommodation. Normally they will have one room available for visitors, some with a hearth and bunk beds. Enquire locally about locations and prices.
Hotels
There are hundreds of hotels and guest houses, principally catering for the summer months and ski season, although some stay open all year round. Rooms during the summer months (July to August) should be booked well in advance. Hotels and restaurants are registered with the tourist office (Sindicat d'Initiativa) and are bound to keep to the registered prices and services. Information on hotels can be obtained from the Andorran Hotel Association (see Accommodation Information below).
Camping/Caravanning
There are 13 campsites in Andorra, most of which are close to the main towns and are well signposted. Several have shops and other facilities. There are also facilities for caravans.
Accommodation Information
Unio Hotelera d'Andorra (Andorran Hotel Association)
Antic Carrer Major, 18 Andorra la Vella
Tel: 820 602.
Website: www.uha.ad
|
|
Communication
Telephone
Country code: 376.
Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile companies. Coverage is good.
Internet
Internet cafes are available throughout Andorra.
Post
Internal mail services are free; international mail takes about one week within Europe.
Post office hours: 0900-1300 and 1500-1700 in Andorra la Vella, otherwise variable.
Media
The Andorran media scene has been shaped by the country's proximity to France and Spain. Andorrans have access to broadcasts from both countries, and for many years Andorra was home to Sud Radio, a powerful radio station broadcasting to southwest France. The constitution provides for freedom of speech and of the press.
Press
- Andorra has two daily newspapers, the Diari d'Andorra and El Periodic.
TV
- TVA is a public service operated by Radio i Televisio d'Andorra.
Radio
- Nacional d'Andorra operates Radio Andorra and music station Andorra Musica.
- Radio Valira, Andorra 7 and Andorra 1 are commercial stations.
|
|
Entertainment
Food and Drink
Cuisine is mainly Catalan, and generally expensive. Quality and prices in restaurants are similar to those in small French and Spanish resort towns.
Things to know: Alcoholic drinks bought in shops and supermarkets are cheap (Andorra is a duty-free zone), but prices in bars can be high. Bars stay open late.
National specialities:
- Coques (flavoured flat cakes).
- Trinxat (a potato and cabbage dish).
- Truites de carreroles (a type of mushroom omelette).
- Local sausages and cheese.
- Andorran veal.
Tipping: Service charges are usually included in the bill. Porters and waiters expect a further 10%.
Nightlife
Andorra's characteristically safe streets help to create a thriving nightlife. Many bars and hotels provide a variety of evening entertainment. Clubs are open during both summer and winter.
Shopping
There is duty-free shopping for all goods. Petrol, alcohol, cameras and watches can be purchased at low prices. Electrical goods are excellent value.
Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0930-1330 and 1600-2000, Sun 0930-1330 and 1600-1900. Department stores: Mon-Fri 0930-2000, Sat 0930-2100 and Sun 0930-1900.
|
|
Getting There
Getting There by Air
Andorra does not have an international airport. Closest international airports: Barcelona (BCN) in Spain, 225km (140 miles) from Andorra and Toulouse (TLS) (website: www.toulouse.aeroport.fr), in France, 180km (112 miles) from Andorra. For more information on the airports and their facilities, consult the Spain and France sections. To/from the airport: Shared taxis and buses are available.
Getting There by Rail
Routes from Perpignan, Villefranche, Toulouse and Barcelona go to La Tour de Carol, 20km (12 miles) from Andorra. The nearest station is L'Hospitalet, but buses run from both L'Hospitalet and La Tour de Carol (see Road below). Routes from Madrid (Spain) go to Lleida and then a connection by coach leads to La Seu d'Urgell. Routes from Barcelona (Spain) go to Puig Cerda and then a connection by coach leads to La Seu d'Urgell.
Getting There by Road
Mountainous roads exist over the Envalira pass from Perpignan, Tarbes and Toulouse (France); and southwards to Barcelona and Lerida (Spain). Buses run regularly from Barcelona, Tarragona, Valencia and Madrid (Spain); and Toulouse (France). Taxis may also be taken and sharing is common practice to cut costs.
Bus: The journey from La Tour de Carol takes 2 hours 20 minutes. From L'Hospitalet the service takes 2 hours 40 minutes and runs early enough to permit a day-return trip from France. A seasonal service runs from Aix-les-Thermes and services may be available from Seo de Urgel in Spain. Eurolines (tel: 0870 514 3219, in the UK; website: www.eurolines.com) serves destinations in Andorra. Daily services from Toulousse, Lleida (Spain) and Madrid are available for coach trips to Andorra.
|
|
Sightseeing
- See the breathtaking view across the mountains commanded by the hamlet of El Serrat, approximately 18km (11 miles) from Escaldes-Engordany, off the main road.
- Visit the town of Encamp (website: www.encamp.ad), between the capital and the French frontier, to see its medieval church and stone houses.
- Don't miss the Madriu valley (website: www.madriu-perafita-claror.com), a UNESCO World Heritage site. A glacial valley in a 'U' shape, routes to the glacial cirque of the Gargantilla will encompass ranging landscapes, human works and shepherd's cabins.
- Search for bargains - Andorra's wide-ranging shopping opportunities offer prices that are as much as 30% cheaper than visitors can expect to pay at home.
- Watch a game of football, rugby or basketball, or see some motorbike and car rallies, all popular spectator sports.
|
|
Things To Do
- Explore the capital, Andorra la Vella. Lying at the junction of two mountain streams, sights include a fine 12th-century church and the Casa de la Vall, the ancient seat of government.
- Relax in the spa town of Escaldes-Engordany, adjoining the capital. More examples of Romanesque architecture await alongside soaks in the hot springs.
- Enjoy the colourful Andorran local festival in early September, in honour of the Virgin of Meritxell.
- Go skiing (website: www.skiandorra.ad) at one of Andorra's many resorts. The main centre is Soldeu (website: www.soldeuonline.com). Other ski centres can be found at Pas de la Casa-Grau Roig, on the French frontier, and at Ordino-Arcalis and Arinsal-Pal, all north of Andorra la Vella.
- Try cross-country skiing in the resort of La Rabassa.
- Hike in the mountains amongst rivers, lakes and pretty countryside. Easier strolls include the Cami Ral d'Ordino in the La Cortinada parish and Cami de les Pardines in Encamp.
- Get active - visitors to Andorra can enjoy horse riding, cycling, tennis, swimming, trout fishing, rock climbing and clay-pigeon shooting.
|
|
Transport
Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. A good road runs from the Spanish to the French frontiers through Sant Julia de Loria, Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany, Encamp and Canillo (about 40km/25 miles between frontiers). There is a road to El Serrat, and a secondary road from Ordino to Canillo, which is usually closed in winter.
Bus: There are buses and minibuses linking Andorra's villages.
Car hire: International and local firms offer car hire.
Regulations: Minimum driving age is 18. Seatbelts are compulsory in both front and rear. Children aged under 10 (unless over 1.5m/4.9ft tall) must travel in the rear. Spead limits are 40kph (25mph) in towns, 70kph (44mph) on major roads.
Documentation: National driving licence accepted.
|
|
Weather
Temperate climate with warm summers and cold winters. Rain falls throughout the year.
Required Clothing
Lightweights for the summer and warm mediumweights during winter. Waterproofing is advisable throughout the year.
|
|
|
|
| |
| Area map |
 |
| Other local interests |
|
No records found
|
|
| Your videos for this hotel |
|
|
|
| Your pictures for this hotel |
|
|
|
|
Images for 'Andorra Center'
