Andorra is a quasi-state territorially located between Spain and France. A ski resort with snowy slopes glistening in the sun, thermal lakes, a huge number of museums, attractions, luxury shopping (a huge selection of jewelry, Swiss watches) in the tax free style is all about Andorra.
Despite being a dwarf state, Andorra boasts 12 centuries of history. In 805, Louis the Pious - the king of Aquitaine - defeated the Saracens. The victory was won only thanks to the community of Andorra, which led the king’s army through the mountains. It was after this assistance that the country was presented with the Great Charter of Freedom by King Charles the Great of France, and 805 is the first official year of independence of the state.
Flag of Andorra: photo
The national flag was approved in 1866. The canvas has a rectangular shape on which stripes of different widths are vertically arranged in the following color palette:
- Navy blue.
- Yellow.
- Bright red.
Dark blue and bright red symbolize France, yellow and red - Spain. This is due to the fact that they are the only neighbors of a dwarf European state.
Flag Approval History
1866 - the main provisions of the Constitution of Andorra were adopted. In the same year, the coat of arms, anthem and flag of Andorra were officially approved. The proportion of the flag of this state is 7:10. Prior to official approval, the flag was a canvas divided into 2 identical vertical parts. Strips of the following color palette:
Boris Skosyrev - a Russian emigrant - proposed to the General Council of Andorra his own plan, which would turn the principality into a zone with a simplified tax system. Boris Skosyrev demanded the crown of state for turning Andorra into paradise. For a certain period, the General Council of the Principality approved him in the status of king. It was during this period that the flag of Andorra became a tricolor, on which stripes were horizontally located. The lower margin was blue, the upper margin was red, and the middle margin was yellow. The flag of Andorra had a gold crown with jewels, which was located exactly in the center. But a few days later the Bishop of Uhel ordered to imprison the newly-made king. National symbols were again changed.
Andorra: flag and coat of arms
The coat of arms of the Principality of Andorra is depicted on a yellow flag background. The current version of the coat of arms was approved in 1969 and has the form of a shield, which is divided into four fields. The episcopal miter with the staff is depicted on the red box in the upper left corner, and the upper right corner of the shield is golden with red pillars, which is a symbol of the influential French house of Foix. The symbol of Southern France is the scarlet cows depicted in the right square below. In the lower left square depicts 4 red pillars on a gold background, which symbolize Catalonia. The shield was divided into 4 parts for a reason. These fields symbolize the arms of the families that own Andorra. The emblem has the motto "Together we are stronger."