Andorra
Principality of AndorraPrincipat d'Andorra
parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as its chiefs of state a coprincipality
Andorra as the 2004 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 101 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.
No fields match. Try a shorter word.
Introduction
1 fieldBackground
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 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(2004 est.)
Male · female(2004 est.)
Ethnic groups(1998)
Age structure
- 0-14 years:
- 15% (male 5,478; female 4,988)
- 15-64 years:
- 71.6% (male 26,268; female 23,766)
- 65 years and over:
- 13.4% (male 4,659; female 4,706) (2004 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:
- 0.99 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 1.09 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Government
Parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as its chiefs 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 long form:
- Principat d'Andorra
- local short form:
- Andorra
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 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 Bishop Joan Enric VIVES i SICILIA (since 12 May 2003), represented by Nemesi MARQUES i OSTE (since NA)
- head of government:
- Executive Council President Marc FORNE Molne (since 21 December 1994)
- cabinet:
- Executive Council or Govern designated by the Executive Council president
- 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 April-May 2005)
- election results:
- Marc FORNE Molne elected executive council president; percent of General Council vote - NA%
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-April 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, other 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
- Andorran Democratic Center Party or CDA (formerly Democratic Party or PD) [leader NA];
- Liberal Party of Andorra or PLA (formerly Liberal Union or UL) [Albert PINTAT];
- Social Democratic Party or PS (formerly part of National Democratic Group or AND) [leader NA]
International organization participation
CE, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, 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
- telephone:
- [1] (212) 750-8064
- FAX:
- [1] (212) 750-6630
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: [34] (93) 280-2227;
- FAX: [34] (93) 280-6175
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.
31 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
Exchange rates
euros per US dollar - 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999)
Communications
8 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- NA
- domestic:
- modern system with microwave radio relay connections between exchanges
- international:
- country code - 376; landline circuits to France and Spain
Transportation
3 fieldsMilitary
No regular military forces, Police Service of Andorra
2 fieldsTransnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Andorra.” The World Factbook 2004. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/andorra/2004.