Andorra
Principality of AndorraPrincipat d'Andorra
parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as its heads of state a coprincipality
Andorra as the 2003 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 104 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality, ruled by the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Urgel. In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads of state retained, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy. Long isolated and impoverished, mountainous Andorra achieved considerable prosperity since World War II through its tourist industry. Many immigrants (legal and illegal) are attracted to the thriving economy with its lack of income taxes.
Geography
Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain
18 fieldsLand useshare of 468 sq km
Environment - current issues
- deforestation;
- overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil erosion;
- air pollution;
- wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal
Environment - international agreements
- party to:
- Hazardous Wastes
- signed, but not ratified:
- none of the selected agreements
People
19 fieldsPer 1,000 population(2003 est.)
Male · female
Ethnic groups(1998)
Age structure
- 0-14 years:
- 15.1% (male 5,473; female 4,974)
- 15-64 years:
- 71.7% (male 26,063; female 23,542)
- 65 years and over:
- 13.2% (male 4,543; female 4,555) (2003 est.)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.07 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 1.1 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 1.11 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 1 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 1.09 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Government
Parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as its heads of state a coprincipality; French Coprince Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995), represented by Philippe MASSONI (since 26 July 2002); Executive Council President Marc FORNE MOLNE (since 21 December 1994)
18 fieldsPresidential electionpercent of vote
Legislature, 28 seats, elected 4 March 2001one dot, one seat
Percent of vote
Country name
- conventional long form:
- Principality of Andorra
- conventional short form:
- Andorra
- local short form:
- Andorra
- local long form:
- Principat d'Andorra
Government type
- parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as its heads of state a coprincipality;
- the two princes are the president of France and bishop of Seo de Urgel, Spain, who are represented locally by coprinces' representatives
Administrative divisions
7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, La Massana, Escaldes-Engordany, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria
Independence
1278 (was formed under the joint suzerainty of the French count of Foix and the Spanish bishop of Urgel)
Constitution
- Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991;
- approved by referendum 14 March 1993;
- came into force 4 May 1993
Legal system
- based on French and Spanish civil codes;
- no judicial review of legislative acts;
- has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- French Coprince Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995), represented by Philippe MASSONI (since 26 July 2002);
- Spanish Coprince Episcopal Monsignor Joan Enric VIVES SICILIA (since 12 May 2003), represented by Nemesi MARQUES OSTE (since NA)
- elections:
- Executive Council president elected by the General Council and formally appointed by the coprinces for a four-year term;
- election last held 4 March 2001 (next to be held NA 2005)
- election results:
- Marc FORNE Molne elected executive council president; percent of General Council vote - NA%
- cabinet:
- Executive Council or Govern designated by the Executive Council president
- head of government:
- Executive Council President Marc FORNE MOLNE (since 21 December 1994)
Legislative branch
unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de las Valls (28 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 14 from a single national constituency and 14 to represent each of the 7 parishes; members serve four-year terms)
- elections:
- last held 4 March 2001 (next to be held NA March 2005)
- election results:
- percent of vote by party - PLA 46.1%, PSD 30%, PD 23.8%, other 0.1%; seats by party - PLA 15, PSD 6, PD 5, independents 2
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;
- Fiscal Ministry or Ministeri Fiscal;
- Constitutional Tribunal or Tribunal Constitucional
Political parties and leaders
- Democratic Party or PD (formerly part of National Democratic Group or AND) [Ladislau BARO SOLO];
- Liberal Party of Andorra or PLA [Marc FORNE MOLNE] (used to be Liberal Union or UL);
- Liberal Union or UL [Francesc CERQUEDA];
- National Democratic Group or AND [Ladislau BARO SOLO];
- National Democratic Initiative or IDN [Vicenc MATEU ZAMORA];
- New Democracy or ND [Jaume BARTOMEU CASSANY];
- Social Democratic Party or PSD (formerly part of National Democratic Group of AND) [leader NA];
- Union of the People of Ordino (Unio Parroquial d'Ordino) or UPO [Simo DURO COMA]
note: there are two other small parties
International organization participation
CE, ECE, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OSCE, UN, UNESCO, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jelena V. PIA-COMELLA
- chancery:
- 2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017
- FAX:
- [1] (212) 750-6630
- telephone:
- [1] (212) 750-8064
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 Consulate General's office in Barcelona (Spain);
- mailing address: ;
- telephone: (3493) 280-2227;
- FAX: (3493) 205-7705
Flag description
- three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band;
- the coat of arms features a quartered shield;
- 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
Economy
Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy, accounts for roughly 80% of GDP. An estimated 9 million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and by its summer and winter resorts.
32 fieldsEconomy - overview
Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy, accounts for roughly 80% of GDP. An estimated 9 million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and by its summer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative advantage has recently eroded as the economies of neighboring France and Spain have been opened up, providing broader availability of goods and lower tariffs.
The banking sector, with its "tax haven" status, 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 consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, 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 - imports
- NA kWh;
- note - most electricity supplied by Spain and France;
- Andorra generates a small amount of hydropower
Communications
8 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- NA
- domestic:
- modern system with microwave radio relay connections between exchanges
- international:
- landline circuits to France and Spain
Transportation
5 fieldsNetworkskm
Military
No regular military forces, but there is a police force
2 fieldsTransnational Issues
1 fieldDisputes - international
none; border is undemarcated in sections but is not in dispute (a few French farmers still remain upset about the transfer of 35 hectares of land to Andorra)
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Andorra.” The World Factbook 2003. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/andorra/2003.