Andorra- or, as it is correct, the Principality of Andorra is a dwarf state in Europe, located between France and Spain. A beautiful and sunny state is a resort.

The Principality of Andorra - the heart of the Pyrenees

Neighborhood, with these two countries, let's say, is quite pleasant. Probably the only thing that “sads” Andorra is the lack of access to the sea. The name of the country was given by the ancient Basques, in whose language andurrial means "wasteland".

I don’t know what the ancient Basques had in mind when giving the name to this territory, but reliable sources assure that Andorra is one of the most beautiful and sunniest European ski resorts.

A small principality with a population of about 70 thousand people is flourishing in the literal and figurative sense. Under the snow caps of the Pyrenees, it is buried in a sea of ​​flowers. And the lion's share of its economic prosperity is provided by the tourism business. All over the world, this dwarf country is called the Heart of the Pyrenees. Watch the video (unfortunately with German voice acting, but very beautiful), and enjoy the views of this country, scenes from the life of ordinary Andorans.

Yes... it is not for nothing that tourists from all over the world adore the Pyrenean resorts. Especially impressive is the dog sledding in the Pyrenees))))

The small state of Andorra, which is lost in the Eastern Pyrenees between Spain and France, was once a principality closed from the rest of the world, and now it is a country with a developed tourist infrastructure, which is visited by up to 9 million people every year.

The capital of Andorra bears the beautiful name Andorra la Vella and is the highest city in all of Europe. More than 20 thousand people live in it. In total, there are 84,129 people in Andorra. Considering that the area of ​​the principality is 468 sq. km, then this indicator of population density, equal to approximately 180 people per 1 sq. km. km, not so small.

The official language here is Catalan, but the indigenous people use French and Spanish equally with it. In tourist areas, as a rule, they speak English. The majority of believers - 99 percent - belong to the Catholic denomination.

According to its political structure, Andorra is a parliamentary principality, the rulers of which are the President of the French Republic and the Bishop of Urgell (Spain). Financial settlements within the country are carried out using the euro.

Many tourists, having arrived in Andorra, do not feel much discomfort due to changes in the time zone. Therefore, relatives and friends can call tourists to Andorra without worrying that they will be awakened by an unexpected night call. By the way, the international dialing code is 376.

Andorrans do not lag behind the rest of the world and, like many other Europeans, are infiltrating the global Internet space by creating their own sites with the .ad domain name.

Capital	Andorra la Vella
Population	91,023 people
Population density	180 people/km²
	Catalan
Religion	Catholicism
Form of government	a constitutional monarchy
Timezone
International dialing code
Internet domain zone
Electricity

Climate and weather

Most of the territory of Andorra is occupied by mountains, on the tops of which there are many lakes of glacial origin. The mountains are separated by valleys, forests, meadows. All this has a significant impact on the climate of Andorra. In winter it is cold and snowy here. Especially harsh conditions are in the mountains, where the snow thickness reaches two meters, and the frost is down to -15 °C. But summer in the south of the country is often dry. The average temperature in July reaches +20 °C, and in January ----- +2 °C. On average, up to 500-700 mm of precipitation falls here annually. The rains are most frequent in autumn, they are brought by clouds driven by the wind from the Atlantic.

Nature

Andorra is a mountainous country. Its relief is dotted with sharply broken cliffs, carried away into the cloudy heights by mountain peaks. Fast rivers flow in the intermountain, penetrating into bottomless gorges, gorges and valleys. All this is the Andorran Pyrenees, formed from rocks whose origin began in the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras.

Economic activity in Andorra has led to the fact that most of the forests were cut down on the vine. The forest areas are mostly preserved in the north of the country and parallel to the Spanish border in the south. At the base of the mountains, as a rule, oak, chestnut, and beech grow. A little lower are coniferous forests with spruces, firs and pines familiar to Europeans.

The picturesque landscapes that open from the mountain peaks will impress even seasoned travelers with their splendor. It is especially beautiful here in spring, when crocuses, gentian, saxifrage, anemones, wild carnations and many other herbs and flowers bloom. These days, the air is filled with fragrance, and its aroma can be carried for many kilometers.

On all sides, Andorra is encased in rocks, which makes it difficult for her to contact with neighboring states. From France, the Principality closes the Envalira mountain pass, through which it is rather difficult to pass. But it is easier to get to Spain if you sail on a ship along the Valira River.

Attractions

The first thing a tourist who arrives in Andorra should see is its capital, Andorra la Vella. The city is located at an altitude of 1000 meters above sea level at the place where two rivers merge, forming the Valira River. This city was founded in the 10th century AD. Already in 1278 it became the center of the Principality of Andorra. Soon, peculiar houses, castles, churches appeared in it, which were inherent in a rich city, where merchants and other people from all over the country gathered. Many ancient buildings have survived to this day. Modern buildings made of metal and glass adjoin them in architectural and stylistic harmony. The inhabitants of the capital are proud, first of all, of the church of St. Armengol (built in the 11th-12th centuries), the seat of government, the Casa de los Valle building, which is distinguished by a watchtower erected in 1508.

Other attractions of this country are mostly located in small villages. So, in the village of Les Bons, you can look at the ruins of the castle, which, according to scientists, belonged to the Counts of Foix. Nearby is an observation tower, called by the locals the Tower of the Moors. There is also a bath of the Queen of the Moors, consisting of a water tank and flow channels carved into the rock.

In the small village of Llorts, where about a hundred people live, there are places untouched by man. They are crossed by a narrow path, on which you can only move on foot. Nearby, about 15 kilometers away, there is a popular tourist area, which is a chain of mountain lakes, which are called Estanis del Angonella.

For those who want to look at the life of Andorra in retrospect, there is no better place than in the village of Sispony. There is the Casa Rull Museum. It presents all the traditional activities of Andorrans

In addition, Andorra has a unique automobile museum. Its analogues cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Visitors to the establishment will see vehicles from different eras here.

Of the architectural monuments, one can also note the churches of Sant Roma d'Ovigna and Sant Roma dels Vilars (IX-XI centuries), Sant Julia de Loria and Sant Joan de Caselles, and Santa Coloma (XII century ). In general, this country is rich in antiquity, which will certainly interest connoisseurs of antiquity who want to touch the bygone centuries with their own hands.

Nutrition

The formation of the Andorran national cuisine took place under the influence of the cultures and traditions of France and Spain. The inhabitants of this small country borrowed culinary recipes from their neighbors to the north and south. They improved them by adding some ingredients and thus created new tastes for long-known dishes.

Andorra is famous for its home cooking. Its distinguishing feature is the use of various spices, as well as ease of preparation of even the most complex dishes.

Local chefs know how to surprise guests and maintain the reputation gained over the centuries by offering a grilled assortment of different types of meat called “La parillida”, seafood “Mariscada”, rabbit with tomato sauce “Cunillo”, roasted lamb “Hai”, fish soup " Escudella" and much more. Andorrans do not reveal the secret of cooking sausages and bacons, the taste and aroma of which is incomparable with similar dishes from other countries.

It should be noted that Andorrans love tasty and satisfying food.

Restaurants offer their visitors a varied menu, but the prices for dishes are often high. You can save on food by taking advantage of the special offer of restaurants - Menu del 'Dia. This is a complex lunch, the cost of which is two times lower.

Accommodation

In Andorra, it is not a problem to find a place of residence for people with different levels of income. This is due to the fact that hotels in the country are divided into three groups, which even a child can understand.

So, the first group includes luxury hotels. They offer their clients luxurious double and triple rooms with spectacular views of the mountains and valleys. The interior decoration of the rooms is often stylized as antique, which corresponds to the peaceful calm that reigns in the highlands of Andorra. There are places in these hotels for adherents of modern interior design. The choice depends on the preferences of the individual.

The staff here is attentive and helpful, however, his care is imperceptible and unobtrusive.

Hotels of the second group are located in small towns and villages near the ski lifts. The hotel owners offer reasonable prices for accommodation, as well as delicious and high-calorie meals to recuperate after a day of skiing on the Andorran mountain slopes.

The third group includes the most expensive hotels. The price for a room in them is formed due to the fact that they are located at the very foot of the mountains, within walking distance from the ski lifts.

Entertainment and recreation

A variety of entertainment programs will delight tourists who come to Andorra to rest. Extreme lovers are offered their services by five ski stations, the slopes of which are equipped in strict accordance with safety regulations.

The presence of ice palaces, health centers is a distinctive feature of Andorra. They were built in the capital of the country, as well as in the towns of Canillo, Encamp, La Masana. These entertainment complexes offer not only ice skating, but also well-equipped gyms, places for playing squash, tennis.

The Caldea Thermal Water Center is popular among tourists and locals alike. It is equipped with outdoor swimming pools. The water in them reaches 68 degrees, which creates the effect of steel hardening, thus strengthening the body, saturating it with useful minerals. Turkish and Roman baths, sauna, Jacuzzi, solariums, contrast showers, foot showers, baths in geysers and fountains are also available for visitors.

There is no place for boredom in Andorra. Discos Cel, La Bors, Chic, Surf, La Nit, Mort qui t "ha mort, Palau de Gel offer their services.

There are few festivals in Andorra, which is connected with the religious way of this country. The most striking include the national church festival in honor of the Virgin Mary, which takes place annually in the town of Meritsel, as well as the jazz music festival, which gathers the world's leading jazzmen.

Purchases

Despite the fact that the state of Andorra occupies a small area, its territory hosts many hospitable towns with a developed trade infrastructure - more than 2 thousand boutiques and modern stores. Most often, tourists from different countries, as well as residents of France and Spain, go shopping to the cities of Encamp, Escaldes, Sant Julia de Loria, La Massanna, Canillo, Santa Coloma and, of course, to the capital of Andorra la Velha.

Andorra is called the largest duty free in Europe, that is, the whole country is a duty-free zone. Here you can buy the same goods as in neighboring European countries, but at a price of 25 to 60% cheaper. The stores offer visitors a wide range of various goods sold at discount prices: sports and travel equipment, household appliances and electronics, clothes from famous fashion houses, luxury cosmetics and perfumes, and jewelry. They go to Andorra even for new cars and cheap gasoline.

With flourishing trade in Andorra, there are severe restrictions on the export of goods from the country without declaring. So, for one adult, the total purchase price should not exceed 525 euros, and for children and adolescents under 15 years old - 270 euros per person.

Transport

The mountainous terrain does not allow building airports in Andorra, laying railroad tracks. Air communication with the country is carried out through the airports of Barcelona, ​​Girona, Toulouse, Perpignan and Reus. The nearest railway station with the name L'Hospitalet-pris-l'Andorre is located in France, 10 km from the border of Andorra. From there you can take the high-speed train to Toulouse and Paris.

Andorra has a well-developed road network that connects all cities, towns and ski resorts. Comfortable buses owned by private and state companies run between them. You won't have to wait long for the bus at the bus stop, as they run here every 15-20 minutes. Those who do not want to depend on the bus schedule can use the services of a taxi driver (the average cost of hiring from 5 to 20 euros) or rent a car at a price of 40-50 euros per day.

Two main routes in the northern and southern directions are laid from the capital of the principality: CG-1 towards Spain, CG-2 towards France. In winter, all roads in Andorra, including high-mountain ones, are quickly cleared of snow marks and remain accessible until the next snowfall. Two more important highways run from Andorra la Vella to the town of Pal and the Arcalis ski resort.

Connection

Andorra is open to the world through modern communication technologies. High-quality high-speed Internet access, excellent radio coverage from mobile towers and wired fixed telephony will not leave anyone who came to Andorra on vacation isolated. The largest number of services in this area is provided by the national company Servei de Telecomunicacions d'Andorra (STA). It is also the exclusive Internet provider in the country.

Large-scale work is now underway in Andorra to introduce FTTH communication technology, thanks to which the Principality will become the first country in the world where wired communication in the form of fiber optic cables will come to all cities and villages, houses and hotels, shops and restaurants, cafes and office buildings.

Many hotels and hostels provide their customers with access to the Internet via Wi-Fi. You can also check your e-mail, read the latest news, and chat with your family in numerous Internet cafes. True, renting a computer is quite expensive - 1 euro for 10 minutes.

A STA mobile operator SIM card can only be purchased at the company's office. Its cost of 60 euros is economically justified if the tourist stays in the country for more than two weeks.

Safety

Andorra is a quiet and peaceful country that never appears in the crime news bulletins. This is achieved by the vigilance of local law enforcement officers. It often happens that they check identity cards at ski resorts, so all tourists are advised to have a passport or driver's license with them.

All guests of Andorra need to remember that the majority of the indigenous population consists of orthodox Catholics, whose way of life is distinguished by the severity of customs and mores. So, defiant behavior and violation of local laws can be a reason for expulsion from the country. In Andorra, smoking is prohibited in public places, and alcohol is allowed only in special establishments (bars, restaurants, pubs). Andorran law enforcement officers impose quite impressive fines for any violation.

In the principality, they are especially fond of ensuring public peace. Therefore, strikes and mass demonstrations are banned here, the activities of various unions, political blocs and parties are limited. It is believed that any contentious issue can be resolved through negotiations without the heat of passion.

Business climate

Andorra is one of those states where favorable conditions have been created for organizing and doing business. In many respects, this is facilitated by soft tax legislation and a well-functioning system of duty-free trade. There are no direct taxes on income, inheritance, luxury goods in the principality ... The state treasury is replenished by tourist fees, which, it should be noted, are low. The only obstacle for foreigners wishing to start a business in Andorra is the law, according to which two-thirds of commercial companies must be owned by Andorran citizens.

Despite the fact that tourism is developed in Andorra, the banking sector brings the greatest economic benefit to the country. Depositors are attracted by the high secrecy of bank accounts, because in Andorra there is no control over the movement of currency and capital. However, this does not mean that criminal money laundering is flourishing here. This is prevented by tough and thoughtful legislation.

Andorra is almost completely dependent on the import of goods, materials and raw materials. There are small industries in the country, but they do not have a significant impact on the local market. At the same time, there is no unemployment in the country, and in terms of economic growth, it is among the leaders with an annual rate of 5%.

Real estate

Andorra is attractive for investment in real estate. Despite the fact that housing prices are constantly rising, buying a house or apartment provides many other benefits. For example, the presence of own housing guarantees a foreign citizen obtaining a permit for permanent residence in Andorra. Also, you do not need to pay any taxes for the purchased house or the purchased apartment. The high price of real estate in Andorra is due to one factor: the lack of free land plots for building.

According to local law, real estate transactions must be executed through a notary, while the buyer is charged a fee of 2.5% of the value of the property. Andorran law provides for a mortgage loan for the purchase of housing. It is important to note that housing prices vary significantly and depend primarily on its location, category of house, apartment, view from the window and the beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Tourists who come to rest in Andorra should be aware that government offices, restaurants, clubs, shops and other institutions have a special working regime. Here, as in neighboring Spain, there is a siesta - a time for relaxation. It lasts from 13:00 to 17:00, so everything is closed at this time.

The name of the country comes from the Basque andurrial - "wasteland".

Capital of the Principality of Andorra. Andorra la Vella.

Area of ​​the Principality of Andorra. 468 km2.

Population of the Principality of Andorra. 70,000 people (

Andorran GDP. $3.249 billion (

Location of the Principality of Andorra. The state is located in the west of Europe in the Eastern Pyrenees. In the north and east it borders with, in the west and south - with. Has no access to the sea.

Administrative divisions of the Principality of Andorra. 7 communities (districts) with some administrative and financial independence.

Form of government of the Principality of Andorra A. Parliamentary principality.

Head of State of the Principality of Andorra. Co-rulers since 1278 - Bishop of Urgell (Spain) and President of France.

Supreme legislative body of the Principality of Andorra. Unicameral General Council (the oldest after the parliament in , has been operating since 1419), term of office - 4 years.

Major cities of the Principality of Andorra. Doesn't have.

State language of the Principality of Andorra. Catalan.

Religion of the Principality of Andorra. 91% are Catholics, 9% are atheists.

Ethnic composition of the Principality of Andorra. 60% - Catalans, 30% - Spaniards, 5% - native Andorrans, 4% - French.

Currency of the Principality of Andorra. Euro = 100 cents.

Principality of Andorra. Subtropical, mountainous. The average annual temperature is + 9°C. Precipitation falls 1000-2000 mm per year. The country is located entirely in the Pyrenees.

Flora of the Principality of Andorra. The vegetation cover is dominated by oak, beech, chestnut, pine, and spruce. In the mountains - . There are small valleys.

Fauna of the Principality of Andorra. The fauna is very poor, represented by roe deer, rodents, birds.

Rivers of the Principality of Andorra. Valira, Valira del Norte.

Sights of the Principality of Andorra. Two active Roman arch bridges of the 2nd century, the ruins of an Arab fortress of the 8th century, the castle of the Counts de Foix (XII century), "House of the Valleys" - the seat of government.

Useful information for tourists

Andorra is a duty-free zone, that is, in fact, a huge duty free. Three avenues crossing the cities of Andorra la Vella and Escaldes - av. Princip Benlloch, av. Meritxell and av. Carlemany - are a magnificent commercial center that any European capital can envy. The choice is unlimited: clothing, footwear, sporting goods and ski equipment, watches, jewelry, perfumes, household and radio equipment. All this can be purchased at very reasonable prices and with a guarantee of quality.

During rush hour, waiting for a taxi can last up to an hour and a half, so it is better to rent a car. It will cost from $40. You need a driver's license and card.

Every year, the small Principality of Andorra, located in the Pyrenees, is visited by more than 10 million tourists. This is a phenomenal figure for a country with a population of around 85,000. Andorra is famous for its ski resorts Pas de la Casa, Soldeu El Tarter, Encamp, Escaldes, Canillo and Arinsal. However, Andorra is not only high-class ski slopes, but also beautiful nature, Roman buildings and medieval churches.

Geography of Andorra

The Principality of Andorra, whose history began about 1,200 years ago, is located in the eastern part of the Pyrenees. In the north and east, Andorra borders on France, and in the south and west - on Spain. The total area of ​​this unique country is 468 sq. km. Most of the territory of Andorra is mountains, but there are also cozy narrow valleys. The highest mountain in Andorra is Coma Pedrosa (2946 m).

Capital

The capital of Andorra is the small city of Andorra la Vella, whose population is now about 25 thousand people. Scientists have proven that Andorra la Vella was founded in the first half of the 9th century.

Official language

The official language of Andorra is Catalan (sometimes called Valencian). The Catalan language belongs to the Romance languages ​​with ancient roots, its formation dates back to the beginning of the Middle Ages. In addition, most Andorrans also speak Spanish and French.

Religion

More than 97% of the inhabitants of Andorra are Catholics. The head of the Church of Andorra is the Bishop of Urgell.

State structure

The Principality of Andorra is a parliamentary democracy. The co-rulers of this country are the President of France, as well as the Spanish Bishop of Urgell. However, their power is nominal, because they do not even have the right to veto in the local parliament.

The Parliament of Andorra is the General Council of the Valleys (it has one chamber), which consists of 28 deputies. This General Council was formed as early as 1419. The country's constitution was adopted on March 14, 1993. Andorra is a member of the United Nations, and since 1991 it has a trade agreement with the European Union.

Climate and weather

The climate in Andorra is temperate Mediterranean with warm summers and cold snowy winters. Precipitation falls throughout the year. The average air temperature in Andorra is +9C. During the summer season (May-September), the daytime air temperature ranges from + 23 to +30 C, and at night from +5 to +19 C). During the ski season (November-April), daytime air temperature averages from -10 to +2C.

Rivers and lakes of Andorra

Andorra has four rivers and a large number of mountain lakes (the largest of them is Lake Juclar).

Story

Historians claim that Andorra granted independence back in the 9th century AD. "Emperor of the West", King of the Franks Charlemagne. Since 1278, Andorra has been under the joint protectorate of France and Spain. Throughout the Middle Ages and Modern times, Andorra remained outside the great European history. At this time, Andorra has only economic ties with France and Spain. Note that smuggling flourished in Andorra in the Middle Ages.

In 1607, the Head of the French State and the Spanish Bishop of Urgell became co-rulers of Andorra.

Tourism flourished in Andorra in the 1950s. In 1970, women in Andorra received the right to vote. In 1993, the inhabitants of Andorra adopt their first Constitution, and after that the country enters the UN.

Culture of Andorra

The ancient Romans had a great influence on the culture of Andorra. At the moment, about 50 Roman temples have been preserved in this country. In the Middle Ages, Spain (France to a lesser extent) had a great influence on the culture of Andorra.

If we talk about Andorran writers, the most famous of them are Albert Salvado, Anthony Morell and Juan Pruga.

Andorra annually hosts several music festivals. The most popular of them are the International Jazz Festival (June) and the Ordino Classical Music Festival (September).

Andorran cuisine

The main foodstuffs of Andorrans are meat, vegetables, pasta, and in some regions also fish. In winter, in the cities and villages of Andorra, escudella soup (escudella), prepared from meat (veal, chicken), potatoes and vegetables, is very often eaten. In general, Andorran cuisine is very similar to Catalan cuisine, although it has some elements of French and Italian cuisine.

Among the traditional Andorran dishes are various sausages, "la parillada" (fried meat), Andorran veal carpaccio, Andorran trout, Pan con Tomate (toasts on rustic bread with ripe tomatoes, garlic and olive oil), and onion salad with honey (sounds funny, but actually very tasty).

Cheese is common in the north of Andorra (French influence is felt). In Andorra, many Catholic families still do not eat meat on Fridays.

Sights of Andorra

Despite the fact that tourists come to Andorra to ski, we advise them to definitely see the sights of this country. The top five attractions in Andorra, in our opinion, include:

Cities and resorts

In addition to Andorra la Vella, the capital of Andorra, this state has several other small cities, among which the following should be mentioned: Pas de la Casa, Soldeu, and Escaldes.

Every city in Andorra is a high-class ski resort. In addition, there are entire resort areas in this country - Soldeu-El Tarter, Encamp, Canillo, Arinsal, La Massana, Ordino, and, of course, Cortinada. Some of the above settlements are small towns, while others are just villages.

Souvenirs/Shopping

At the moment, there are more than 4,000 shops in small Andorra, which are visited by millions of tourists every year.

We advise tourists to pay attention to Andorran handicrafts - “musicature” (a special type of wood or metal carving with folk motifs) and handmade furniture (of course, it is difficult to pack it in a suitcase).

In Andorra, you can always find T-shirts, cups, postcards, fridge magnets, key chains, etc.

Office Hours

In Andorra, on weekdays, shops are open from 9.00 to 20.00, on Saturday - from 9.00 to 21.00, and on Sunday - from 9.00 to 19.00.

Bank opening hours:
Mon-Fri: - 09.00-13.00 and 15:00-17-00
Sat: – 09:00-12:00

Visa

Citizens of Ukraine who want to visit Andorra receive a visa at the Spanish consulate.

Currency

The main currency in circulation is the euro.

• in Italy, Spain, France, a title of nobility, intermediate between a count and a duke
• an honorary family title (in Italy, Spain, France), a rank between a count and a duke. Marquise, wife or daughter of the Marquis. Marquisage cf. the title or estate of a marquis. Awning, outer curtain in front of windows, tent
• in some countries of Western Europe: a title of nobility, intermediate between a count and a duke, as well as the person who bears this title
• what was the name of the title of nobility, the middle one between a count and a duke
• between count and duke

ANRI

• famous French football player of Antillean origin, European and world champion, winner of the UEFA Champions League and the championships of France, England, Spain, winner of the Confederations Cup
• Arsenal striker and France national team

PHRENOLOGY

• a doctrine devoted to establishing a connection between the shape and proportions of the human skull and the mental structure of the personality, its abilities, destiny and destiny; founder - Austrian doctor, professor Franz Josef Gall (1758-1828)
• a theory that asserts the existence of a connection between the mental, moral properties of a person and the structure of his skull

AZUNCOUR

• the famous village south of the city of Calais in France, near which on October 25, 1415 a battle took place between the French and English troops

CHAKHI

• the chronicler says to the deceased Svyatopolk that he went between the Czechs and the Poles, in the arch. to this day, between chahi and lyakhi means this and that, neither this nor that, the middle is half. The day has gone between the Chakhi and the Poles, I don't know where

ANDANTE

• cf. unwilling. ital. music medium and even time signature in music, between rare and frequent, slow and fast, between adagio and allegro. Andantino, even more moderate, slower than Andante
• tempo between adagio and moderato