The Principality of Andorra, sandwiched between the territories of Spain and France, is located in the north-eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula. The small size of the state does not allow it to independently defend its sovereignty, which forces the country's government to be in associated relations with neighboring, larger powers.
Where is Andorra located?
The country's area is 468 square kilometers, and its name in Basque means "wasteland". However, despite the name of the country, most of it is occupied by mountains covered with coniferous and mixed forests. Subalpine and alpine meadows stretch at a considerable height , and valleys cross mountain rivers with a rapid current, spreading during rains and snowmelt.
In the west of the country, in close proximity to the borders with Spain and France, is the highest point of the state - Mount Coma Pedrosa, reaching an altitude of 2942 meters above sea level. The geography of Andorra is of great interest to lovers of unspoiled nature and climatic resorts, as well as active athletes. In turn, the lowest point of the country is located at an altitude of 840 meters, at the confluence of the rivers Valira and Rio-Runer.
Due to the mountainous nature of the area, the rivers are usually quite short and rarely exceed a length of several kilometers. Most of them flow into the Spanish or French rivers.
Since the climate of the region where Andorra is located belongs to the Iberian ecoregion, the winter in it is snowy and mild, which makes the country suitable for the development of ski tourism.
Principality History
The first mention of the community of the country of Andorra occurs in 778, but the most reliable information not only about existence, but also about sovereignty dates back to 805, when Charlemagne granted the inhabitants of Andorra the Great Charter of Freedom.
Subsequently, power in the valley was divided between the local prince and the bishop of the Urzhel diocese. However, despite the fact that the rulers of neighboring states, whose borders were changing at a fantastic speed, regularly intervened in the internal affairs of the principality, the country of Andorra retained not only its sovereignty, but also its administrative structure and management system. Two neighboring states jointly controlled the territory in the interests of local residents.
It is worth noting that already in 1419 the first Land Council was convened in the country of Andorra, which actually had parliamentary powers. Later, this governing body will be transformed into the General Council. However, the prince will still be at the head of state. This feudal form of government in Andorra will last until 1866, when administrative reform will be carried out in the country.
Political structure
The political system of the principality and its place on the European political map are worthy of separate mention. Today Andorra is a dwarf state, occupying the sixteenth line in the list of the smallest countries in the world.
Traditions are of great importance to the political system of Andorra, because its old parliament never stopped working, and international treaties with neighboring countries provide the very possibility of a state.
Until 1993, the country paid an annual tribute to its neighbors. For France, 960 francs were intended, and for the Bishop of Urzhel, 12 heads of cheese, 12 partridges and twelve capons, as well as 460 pesetas and even six ham.
According to the constitution adopted in 1993, the Principality of Andorra is governed by two co-rulers and a unicameral parliament called the General Council of the Valleys.
The judicial system of the country
Whatever the form of government of Andorra, the state would not be able to function effectively without a reasonably structured judicial system based on deep traditions of respect for law and law.
The structure of the judicial system has been worked out with great care. It consists of the Magistrates Court, the Criminal Court, as well as the Supreme and Constitutional Courts. The device of the Supreme Court deserves special consideration, the complexity of which reflects the entire history of the state building of the country of Andorra.
The highest court in the country consists of five judges. One judge is appointed by the Executive Council of the state, two more judges are elected by the princes. The Valley Council appoints another judge. The sixth judge is appointed by the will of the Magistrates Court.
The capital of country
Administratively, the country consists of seven communities called parroquies. One of these communities is the capital of the state - Andorra la Vella. Despite the fact that the entire population of the country is 77,000 people, more than twenty-two thousand live in the country's largest city - its capital.
According to local legend, the city at the confluence of two rivers was founded in the early lX century by personal order of Charlemagne, who also became the founder of the Carolingian dynasty, one of the greatest royal dynasties of the last thousand years.
However, the center of the principality of Andorra la Vella became in 1278, and all public authorities, such as parliament, courts and the government moved to the capital in 1993, when a new constitution was adopted, transforming the principality into a parliamentary monarchy.
The economy of the capital
Andorra la Vella is not only the political, but also the financial center of the principality. Despite the fact that a favorable mountain climate and high quality infrastructure allow the country to occupy a leading position in the tourism services market, its status as an international offshore brings significant income to the country's economy.
It is for this reason that the offices of large international corporations, banks and international organizations are located in Andorra. International sports competitions are held in the capital, attracting thousands of participants and spectators. Andorra la Vella once even claimed to host the Olympic Games, but her application was not accepted.
A country's economy
Some economists believe that in recent years the government of Andorra, whose area and population does not allow specializing in the heavy and raw materials industry, is doing everything possible to get rid of its dependence on bank capital.
According to some reports, the tourism sector provides up to eighty percent of the national product. It is worth noting that we mean not only resort tourism, but also business tourism.
The rapid development of the entire economy of Andorra and tourism activities contributes to several factors. Firstly, government intervention in the economy is minimal, which creates a climate and a sense of security that are so necessary for business.
Secondly, the banking sector, which finances major infrastructure and tourism projects, enjoys significant tax benefits and therefore can afford the additional costs of projects with deferred benefits.
Minerals
Despite its small territory, Andorra boasts significant reserves of iron ore and lead. However, these deposits are not developed, since the Andorrans are extremely careful about the ecology of their country and give preference to the development of the service sector.
As for agriculture, it is very poorly developed in the principality, since only two percent of the land is suitable for cultivation, which means that most of the food has to be exported. But wool sheep breeding is traditionally well developed in the country, since the mountain slopes are rich in alpine meadows, where it is convenient to raise sheep that produce wool of the highest quality.
Transport network
The total length of all roads of the principality is 279 kilometers, but seventy-six kilometers are not paved. Given the geographical location of the country, it can be assumed that maintaining roads in winter is quite expensive and requires a very careful attitude.
However, the main roads leading to Spain and France are kept in impeccable condition and, in the absence of cataclysms, are usually accessible in winter. Only one site, located, however, in France, is cleaned less often and it happens that it is blocked by avalanches.
Since the country does not have its own airport or railways, the inhabitants of Andorra have to use the transport capabilities of neighboring countries. For example, with Barcelona and its airport, Andorra has regular bus services. The nearest airport in the region where Andorra is located is in Perpignac.
Education in Andorra
In the Principality, all children and adolescents from six to sixteen years old are required to attend high school, which is free for all citizens. The history and geographical location determine the multilingualism of the country, so the princedom officially operates schools for speakers of Andorran, Spanish and French.
The school system has one peculiarity: despite the fact that all schools are built and maintained by the authorities of the principality, Spain and France pay teachers in Spanish and French schools. At the same time, parents of students can choose the language of instruction at their discretion.
As for higher education, there is only one university in the country, founded in 1997. This situation is not typical for Europe, where university traditions go back to the depths of the Middle Ages, and large universities operate in almost every major city.
In addition to the university, there are two higher schools in the country. One prepares nurses, and the other teaches computer science and assigns doctorates in this discipline.
The difficulty with the development of university education lies in the fact that the region where Andorra is located is at a considerable distance from major research centers, and the internal resources of the principality and a small number of students do not allow supporting significant academic research.
Institute of Snowmaking
According to tradition, for several centuries the Principality was jointly ruled by the bishop of Urhel, now located in Spanish Catalonia and a representative of the Occitan family of Foix, which was subsequently inherited by the kings of Navarre.
Since 1589, the king of France and his heirs began to act as the French co-ruler. The line of inheritance was interrupted only during the First French Republic, however, it was subsequently restored, and since then the heads of the French state have invariably assumed the control of Andorra along with the bishops of Urhel. Since 2017, the representative of France in Andorra has been Emmanuel Macron.