2011 Edition

Background

For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality, ruled by French and Spanish leaders (from 1607 onward, the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Seu d'Urgell). In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads of state retained, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy. For decades Andorra enjoyed its status as a small refuge of fiscal and banking freedom and benefitted from Spanish and French tourists attracted to the country's duty-free shopping. The situation has changed in recent years as Andorra started to tax foreign investment and other sectors. Tourism accounts for over 80% of Andorra's gross domestic product.

Area

468 sq km 468 sq km 0 sq km

total

468 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

Riu Runer 840 m Pic de Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m

highest point

Pic de Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m

lowest point

Riu Runer 840 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil erosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

42 30 N, 1 30 E

Geography - note

landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in the Pyrenees

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

120.3 km France 56.6 km, Spain 63.7 km

border countries

France 56.6 km, Spain 63.7 km

total

120.3 km

Land use

2.13% 0% 97.87% (2005)

arable land

2.13%

other

97.87% (2005)

permanent crops

0%

Location

Southwestern Europe, Pyrenees mountains, on the border between France and Spain

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

avalanches

Natural resources

hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead

Terrain

rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys

Age structure

15.6% (male 6,799/female 6,440) 71.4% (male 31,545/female 29,037) 13% (male 5,502/female 5,502) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

15.6% (male 6,799/female 6,440)

15-64 years

71.4% (male 31,545/female 29,037)

65 years and over

13% (male 5,502/female 5,502) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

9.66 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Death rate

6.35 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2008)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2008)

urban

100% of population

Education expenditures

3.2% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

Spanish 43%, Andorran 33%, Portuguese 11%, French 7%, other 6% (1998)

Health expenditures

7.7% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

2.62 beds/1,000 population (2007)

Infant mortality rate

3.8 deaths/1,000 live births 3.76 deaths/1,000 live births 3.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

3.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

3.8 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese

Life expectancy at birth

82.43 years 80.35 years 84.64 years (2011 est.)

female

84.64 years (2011 est.)

total population

82.43 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 100% 100% 100%

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

100%

male

100%

total population

100%

Major cities - population

ANDORRA LA VELLA (capital) 25,000 (2009)

Median age

40.5 years 40.8 years 40.2 years (2011 est.)

female

40.2 years (2011 est.)

male

40.8 years

total

40.5 years

Nationality

Andorran(s) Andorran

adjective

Andorran

noun

Andorran(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Physicians density

3.716 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population

84,825 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.33% (2011 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic (predominant)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2008)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2008)

urban

100% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

12 years 11 years 12 years (2008)

female

12 years (2008)

male

11 years

total

12 years

Sex ratio

1.066 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.09 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.09 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.99 male(s)/female

at birth

1.066 male(s)/female

total population

1.07 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.06 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.35 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Urbanization

88% of total population (2010) 1.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

88% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, Escaldes-Engordany, La Massana, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria

Capital

Andorra la Vella 42 30 N, 1 31 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

42 30 N, 1 31 E

name

Andorra la Vella

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991; approved by referendum 14 March 1993; effective 28 April 1993

Country name

Principality of Andorra Andorra Principat d'Andorra Andorra

conventional long form

Principality of Andorra

conventional short form

Andorra

local long form

Principat d'Andorra

local short form

Andorra

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US does not have an embassy in Andorra; the US Ambassador to Spain is accredited to Andorra; US interests in Andorra are represented by the US Consulate General's office in Barcelona (Spain); mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; telephone: [34] (93) 280-2227; FAX: [34] (93) 280-6175

the US does not have an embassy in Andorra; the US Ambassador to Spain is accredited to Andorra; US interests in Andorra are represented by the US Consulate General's office in Barcelona (Spain); mailing address

Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; telephone: [34] (93) 280-2227; FAX: [34] (93) 280-6175

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Narcis CASAL de Fonsdeviela 2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017 [1] (212) 750-8064 [1] (212) 750-6630

chancery

2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017

chief of mission

Ambassador Narcis CASAL de Fonsdeviela

FAX

[1] (212) 750-6630

telephone

[1] (212) 750-8064

Executive branch

French Coprince Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007); represented by Christian FREMONT (since September 2008) and Spanish Coprince Archbishop Joan-Enric VIVES i Sicilia (since 12 May 2003); represented by Nemesi MARQUES i Oste (since 30 July 2003) Executive Council President (or Cap de Govern) Antoni MARTI PETIT (since 12 May 2011) Executive Council or Govern designated by the Executive Council president Executive Council president elected by the General Council (Andorran Parliament) and formally appointed by the coprinces for a four-year term; election last held on 3 April 2011 (next to be held in April 2015) Antoni MARTI PETIT was elected Executive Council president; percent of General Council vote - NA; note - the leader of the party which wins a majority of seats in the General Council is usually elected president

cabinet

Executive Council or Govern designated by the Executive Council president

chief of state

French Coprince Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007); represented by Christian FREMONT (since September 2008) and Spanish Coprince Archbishop Joan-Enric VIVES i Sicilia (since 12 May 2003); represented by Nemesi MARQUES i Oste (since 30 July 2003)

election results

Antoni MARTI PETIT was elected Executive Council president; percent of General Council vote - NA; note - the leader of the party which wins a majority of seats in the General Council is usually elected president

elections

Executive Council president elected by the General Council (Andorran Parliament) and formally appointed by the coprinces for a four-year term; election last held on 3 April 2011 (next to be held in April 2015)

head of government

Executive Council President (or Cap de Govern) Antoni MARTI PETIT (since 12 May 2011)

Flag description

three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red, with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the latter band is slightly wider than the other two so that the ratio of band widths is 8:9:8; the coat of arms features a quartered shield with the emblems of (starting in the upper left and proceeding clockwise): Urgell, Foix, Bearn, and Catalonia; the motto reads VIRTUS UNITA FORTIOR (Strength United is Stronger); the flag combines the blue and red French colors with the red and yellow of Spain to show Franco-Spanish protection similar to the flags of Chad and Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in the center, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem

three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red, with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the latter band is slightly wider than the other two so that the ratio of band widths is 8

9:8; the coat of arms features a quartered shield with the emblems of (starting in the upper left and proceeding clockwise): Urgell, Foix, Bearn, and Catalonia; the motto reads VIRTUS UNITA FORTIOR (Strength United is Stronger); the flag combines the blue and red French colors with the red and yellow of Spain to show Franco-Spanish protection

Government type

parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as its chiefs of state a coprincipality; the two princes are the president of France and bishop of Seu d'Urgell, Spain, who are represented in Andorra by the coprinces' representatives

Independence

1278 (formed under the joint sovereignty of the French Count of Foix and the Spanish Bishop of Seu d'Urgel)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

CE, FAO, ICAO, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, Union Latina, UNWTO, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courts or Tribunal de Corts; Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or Tribunal Superior de Justicia d'Andorra; Supreme Council of Justice or Consell Superior de la Justicia (coprinces appoint the members); Constitutional Tribunal or Tribunal Constitucional (coprinces appoint the members) all judges elected for a 6-year term renewable term

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil and customary law with canon (religious) law influences

Legislative branch

unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de las Valls (28-42 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 14 from a single national constituency and 14 to represent each of the seven parishes; to serve four-year terms) last held on 3 April 2011 (next to be held in April 2015) percent of vote by party - DA 55%, PS 35%, Andorra for Change 7%, Andorran Green 3%; seats by party - DA 20, PS 6, Lauredian Union 2 under usual circumstances, the next election would have been held in 2013, but because the General Council was unable to pass important laws such as the budget, it was dissolved and an election was held

election results

percent of vote by party - DA 55%, PS 35%, Andorra for Change 7%, Andorran Green 3%; seats by party - DA 20, PS 6, Lauredian Union 2

elections

last held on 3 April 2011 (next to be held in April 2015)

National anthem

"El Gran Carlemany" (The Great Charlemagne) Joan BENLLOCH i VIVO/Enric MARFANY BONS adopted 1921; the anthem provides a brief history of Andorra in a first person narrative

lyrics/music

Joan BENLLOCH i VIVO/Enric MARFANY BONS

name

"El Gran Carlemany" (The Great Charlemagne)

National holiday

Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278)

Political parties and leaders

there are four political parties at the national level: Andorra for Change or ApC [Eusebio NOMEN CALVET]; Democrats for Andorra or DA [Antoni MARTI PETIT], coalition including Liberal Party (PRA) and Reformist Coalition; Greens of Andorra [Isabel LOZANO MUNOZ]; Social Democratic Party or PS [Jaume BARTUMEU CASSANY]; note - there are also several smaller parties at the Parish level (one is Lauredian Union)

there are four political parties at the national level

Andorra for Change or ApC [Eusebio NOMEN CALVET]; Democrats for Andorra or DA [Antoni MARTI PETIT], coalition including Liberal Party (PRA) and Reformist Coalition; Greens of Andorra [Isabel LOZANO MUNOZ]; Social Democratic Party or PS [Jaume BARTUMEU CASSANY]; note - there are also several smaller parties at the Parish level (one is Lauredian Union)

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

small quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables; sheep

Budget

$872 million $868.4 million (2009)

expenditures

$868.4 million (2009)

revenues

$872 million

Debt - external

$NA

Economy - overview

Tourism, commerce, and finance are the mainstays of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy, accounting for more than three-quarters of GDP. An estimated 9 million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status for some products and by its summer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative advantage eroded when the borders of neighboring France and Spain opened, providing broader availability of goods and lower tariffs. The banking sector also contributes substantially to the economy. Agricultural production is limited - only 2% of the land is arable - and most food has to be imported. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising. Manufacturing output and exports consist mainly of perfumes and cosmetic products, products of the printing industry, electrical machinery and equipment, clothing, tobacco products, and furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs) and as a non-EU member for agricultural products.

Electricity - consumption

598.7 million kWh (2009)

Electricity - exports

9 million kWh (2009)

Electricity - imports

497.7 million kWh most electricity supplied by Spain and France; Andorra generates a small amount of hydropower (2009)

Electricity - production

101 million kWh (2009)

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.755 (2010) 0.7179 (2009) 0.6827 (2008) 0.7306 (2007) 0.7964 (2006)

Exports

$64 million (2009) $89.5 million (2008)

Exports - commodities

tobacco products, furniture

GDP - composition by sector

NA% NA% NA%

agriculture

NA%

industry

NA%

services

NA%

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$46,700 (2009 est.) $44,900 (2008 est.) $42,500 (2007 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

3.8% (2009 est.) 2.6% (2008 est.) 2% (2007 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$NA

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.3 billion (2009 est.) $4.22 billion (2008 est.) $3.66 billion (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$1.474 billion (2009) $1.801 billion (2008)

Imports - commodities

consumer goods, food, electricity

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

tourism (particularly skiing), cattle raising, timber, banking, tobacco, furniture

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.6% (2010) 0% (2009)

Labor force

38,220 (2010)

Labor force - by occupation

0.4% 4.7% 94.9% (2010)

agriculture

0.4%

industry

4.7%

services

94.9% (2010)

Population below poverty line

NA (2008)

Unemployment rate

2.9% (2009) 2.7% (2008)

Broadcast media

1 public television station and 2 public radio stations; about 10 commercial radio stations operating; good reception of radio and TV broadcasts from stations in France and Spain; upgraded to terrestrial digital television broadcasting in 2007; roughly 25 international television channels available (2010)

Internet country code

.ad

Internet hosts

26,773 (2010)

Internet users

67,100 (2009)

Telephone system

modern automatic telephone system modern system with microwave radio relay connections between exchanges country code - 376; landline circuits to France and Spain

domestic

modern system with microwave radio relay connections between exchanges

general assessment

modern automatic telephone system

international

country code - 376; landline circuits to France and Spain

Telephones - main lines in use

38,200 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

65,500 (2010)

Roadways

320 km (2008)

total

320 km (2008)

Manpower available for military service

22,390 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

22,390 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

17,977 17,069 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

17,069 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

17,977

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

347 (2010 est.)

female

347 (2010 est.)

male

397

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of France and Spain

Military branches

no regular military forces, Police Service of Andorra (2010)

Disputes - international

none