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Friday 26 August 2011

Andorra

According tradition, in the late 8th century, Charlemagne, King of the Franks, gave a charter to the people of Andorra as a reward for fighting against the Moors.

Andorra was the longest combatant in World War 1. Being left out of the Treaty of Versailles, they remained at war with Germany until officially declaring peace in 1958.

The 1972 defense budget of Andorra was a mere $5.

Its political system was modernized in 1993 after the Andorran constitutional referendum. Under the 1993 constitution, Andorra became an independent, democratic, multiparty ‘parliamentary’ co-principality, with full sovereignty in the hands of the people, but with Spanish and French co-princes (the bishop of Urgell in Spain and the president of France respectively) as joint heads of state with limited, constitutionally defined, powers.

Because the president of France is also the co-prince of Andorra, he is the only democratically-elected monarch in the world.

Up until 1993, Andorra would pay a tribute of $460 (£353) to the French President on odd numbered years, while on even numbered years, the Bishop would receive $12 (£9), plus six hams, six cheeses, and six live chickens.

The upper quarters of the coat of arms of Andorra (see below) feature the arms of the Bishop of Urgell and the Count of Foix, the "two traditional protectors" of the principality.


The population of Andorra is estimated at 77,543 (2020). The population has grown from 5,000 in 1900.

In 2013, Andorra had the highest life expectancy in the world at 81 years, according to the Global Burden of Disease Study.

Andorra is the only country in the world where the official language is Catalan.

Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny economy, accounts for roughly 80% its of GDP. An estimated 10.2 million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's summer and winter resorts. This is 131.5 times their population.

Andorra la Vella is the capital city of the principality of Andorra. At 1023 m (3,356 ft) above sea level, it is the highest capital in Europe.

View of Andorra la Vella  By Gertjan R

Andorra’s army consists of a twelve-man ceremonial unit. Instead, all Andorrans should, by law, keep a rifle. The law also states that the police will offer a firearm in case of need.

Source Hutchinson Encyclopedia © RM 2011. Helicon Publishing is division of RM.

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