2012 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 6,796/ female 6,482) 71.1% (male 31,467/ female 28,985) 13.3% (male 5,686/ female 5,666) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

15.6% (male 6,796/ female 6,482)

15-64 years

71.1% (male 31,467/ female 28,985)

65 years and over

13.3% (male 5,686/ female 5,666) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

9.26 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Death rate

6.52 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

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

3.76 deaths/1,000 live births 3.74 deaths/1,000 live births 3.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

3.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

3.76 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese

Life expectancy at birth

82.5 years 80.4 years 84.74 years (2012 est.)

female

84.74 years (2012 est.)

total population

82.5 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

41.2 years 41.4 years 40.9 years (2012 est.)

female

40.9 years (2012 est.)

male

41.4 years

total

41.2 years

Nationality

Andorran(s) Andorran

adjective

Andorran

noun

Andorran(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

3.716 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population

85,082 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

0.274% (2012 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic (predominant)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population

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

1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.09 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.09 male(s)/female

65 years and over

1 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

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

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.36 children born/woman (2012 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 Francois HOLLANDE (since 15 May 2012); 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 of seven ministers 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 of seven ministers designated by the Executive Council president

chief of state

French Coprince Francois HOLLANDE (since 15 May 2012); 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, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, Union Latina, UNWTO, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

Supreme Council of Justice or Consell Superior de la Justicia (coprinces appoint the members); oversees and administers the entire justice system; Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or Tribunal Superior de Justicia d'Andorra (5 members) Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courts or Tribunal de Corts; Constitutional Tribunal or Tribunal Constitucional (coprinces appoint the members) all judges elected for a 6-year term renewable term

higher judicial bodies

Supreme Council of Justice or Consell Superior de la Justicia (coprinces appoint the members); oversees and administers the entire justice system; Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or Tribunal Superior de Justicia d'Andorra (5 members)

three lower courts

Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courts or Tribunal de Corts; Constitutional Tribunal or Tribunal Constitucional (coprinces appoint the members)

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 (a minimum of 28 and maximum of 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); note - each voter cast two separate ballots - one for the national list, one for the parish list 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; note - numbers of votes and percentages are for the respective national list; number of seats include seats won by the parish lists

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; note - numbers of votes and percentages are for the respective national list; number of seats include seats won by the parish lists

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)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$427 million $502 million (2012)

expenditures

$502 million (2012)

revenues

$427 million

Debt - external

$NA

Economy - overview

Tourism, retail sales, and finance are the mainstays of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy, accounting for more than three-quarters of GDP. Andorra's duty-free status for some products and its summer and winter resorts attract millions of visitors annually, although the economic downturn in neighboring countries has curtailed tourism activity. The banking sector also contributes substantially to the economy. Andorra's comparative advantage as a tax haven eroded when the borders of neighboring France and Spain opened; its bank secrecy laws have been relaxed under pressure from the EU and OECD. Agricultural production is limited - only 2% of the land is arable - and most food has to be imported, making the economy vulnerable to changes in fuel and food prices. 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. Andorra uses the euro and is effectively subject to the monetary policy of the European Central Bank. Slower growth in Spain and France has dimmed Andorra's economic prospects. In 2010 and 2011 a drop in tourism contributed to a contraction in GDP and a sharp deterioration of public finances, prompting the government to begin implementing several austerity measures to reduce the budget deficit, including levying a special corporate tax. To bring in new revenue and diversify future sources of economic growth, the government is increasingly looking to promote foreign investment, including by relaxing foreign ownership rules.

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7838 (2012 est.) 0.7185 (2011 est.) 755 (2010 est.) 0.7198 (2009 est.) 0.6827 (2008 est.)

Exports

$70 million (2011 est.) $56 million (2010 est.)

Exports - commodities

tobacco products, furniture

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

NA% NA% NA%

agriculture

NA%

industry

NA%

services

NA%

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$37,200 (2011 est.) $37,700 (2010 est.) $38,400 (2009 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

-1.6% (2012 est.) -1.8% (2011 est.) -2.2% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

(2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.119 billion (2012 est.) $3.169 billion (2011 est.) $3.227 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2011 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$1.469 billion (2011 est.) $1.512 billion (2010 est.)

Imports - commodities

consumer goods, food, electricity

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.7% (2012 est.) -1.6% (2011 est.)

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

1.9% (2011 est.) 1.2% (2010 est.)

Electricity - consumption

598.7 million kWh (2009)

Electricity - exports

9 million kWh (2009)

Electricity - imports

497.7 million kWh (2009)

Electricity - production

101 million kWh (2009)

Broadcast media

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

Internet country code

.ad

Internet hosts

28,383 (2012)

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

38,400 (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

65,000 (2011)

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 (2011)

Disputes - international

none