ANDORRA
Strength united is stronger
Virtus unita fortior
ANDORRA
Strength united is stronger
Virtus unita fortior
Overview
Overview of Andorra
Overview
Andorra is a little country that is hidden between Spain and France. Its existence formally begun in the year 805AD when Charlemagne (the first Holy Roman Emperor) granted the Andorrans a charter (a formal statement of rights and privileges) for their war contribution to the ‘Moors’ (decedents of Moroccans). The Grandson of Charlemagne ‘Charles the Bald’ assigned the ‘Count of Urgell’ as the overlords of Andorra. However, in the 13th century the ‘Count of Foix’ became heirs to the territory through marriage. Thus, in 1278 a ‘Pariage’ (i.e. a treaty that recognises the joint control of a territory between two equal rulers) was established, and the principality was officially formed. In 1589 Henry IV made it to be that the ‘head of France’ and the ‘Bishop of Urgell’ would be the co-princes of Andorra. This arrangement has continued since, although with less control, when Andorra officially became a democratic republic in 1993. Andorra is a rare country in which that the natives (Andorrans) are the minority of the population. Furthermore, Catalan, which is widely spoken in the Catalonia region of Spain, is the official language of the country. The territory of the region is mountainous with only 8% of the terrain having a ‘built-up area’, the rest of it is untouched nature. However, only 2% of the land is suitable for crops. The most popular crop is Tobacco.
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Information of Andorra
Information
Capital
Andorra la Vella
Language
Catalan
Area (km2)
468
Population
77, 281
Currency
Euros
Income
45, 887 US
Tourism
3, 042, 000
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Facts. History. Information
8th Century: Andorra’s history formally begun from ‘Charlemagne’ (742-814). It is believed that Charlemagne granted the Andorrans a charter in 805, which is a formal statement of rights and privileges, for their contribution in fighting with the moors (decedents of Moroccans). The charter has been confirmed by his son Louis the Pious (778 – 840).
9th Century: Charles the Bald (823 – 877), the son of Louis the Pious, assigned the ‘Count of Urgell’ (now Seo de Urgell) as the overlords of Andorra. The Bishop of Urgell, claimed Andorra as part of the tribute for his Cathedral.
1505 – 1519: In 1505, Germaine of Foix married Ferdinand V of Castile, which brought the Lordship of Andorra to Spanish rule.
1519 – 1607: In 1519, Charles V became the king of Spain, in which he gave the lordship of Andorra to the line of ‘Germaine of Fiox’ indefinitely.
1607+: In 1589, Henry III of Navarre, who was a count of Foix, became the King of France (Henry IV). In 1607, King Henry established the head of France and the Bishop of Urgell, as co-princes of Andorra.
1793 – 1806: In 1793, the French revolutionary government rejected the traditional Andorran tribute to the Bishop of Urgell, as it went against their beliefs of feudalism. In 1806, Andorra remained neutral when Napoleon commenced war with Spain. After the War, the co-principality of the 2 nations was restored, as the Andorrans petitioned for it.
Capital
Andorra la Vella
Language
Catalan
Area
468 km2
Population
77, 281
Currency
Euro
Income
45,887 US
Tourism
5, 207, 000
HDI
0.857
Rank
42/50 EU
8th Century: Andorra’s history formally begun from ‘Charlemagne’ (742-814). It is believed that Charlemagne granted the Andorrans a charter in 805, which is a formal statement of rights and privileges, for their contribution in fighting with the moors (decedents of Moroccans). The charter has been confirmed by his son Louis the Pious (778 – 840).
9th Century: Charles the Bald (823 – 877), the son of Louis the Pious, assigned the ‘Count of Urgell’ (now Seo de Urgell) as the overlords of Andorra. The Bishop of Urgell, claimed Andorra as part of the tribute for his Cathedral.
1505 – 1519: In 1505, Germaine of Foix married Ferdinand V of Castile, which brought the Lordship of Andorra to Spanish rule.
1519 – 1607: In 1519, Charles V became the king of Spain, in which he gave the lordship of Andorra to the line of ‘Germaine of Fiox’ indefinitely.
1607+: In 1589, Henry III of Navarre, who was a count of Foix, became the King of France (Henry IV). In 1607, King Henry established the head of France and the Bishop of Urgell, as co-princes of Andorra.
1793 – 1806: In 1793, the French revolutionary government rejected the traditional Andorran tribute to the Bishop of Urgell, as it went against their beliefs of feudalism. In 1806, Andorra remained neutral when Napoleon commenced war with Spain. After the War, the co-principality of the 2 nations was restored, as the Andorrans petitioned for it.
Travel
Travel to Andorra
Travel
The main city of Andorra is the capital, Andorra la Vella. The city is known for its thermal spa centre, the ‘Caldea’, which is regarded as the biggest spa centre of southern Europe. Besides the capital, the country has three regions which are worth visiting by day or overnight, and these are Canillo, La Massana, and Ordino. The region of Canillo contains the best viewpoint of Andorra (‘Mirador de Canillo’) and the country’s biggest ski resort (Grandvalira). The region of La Massana has the best preserved village of Andorra (Pal), and the oldest church in the country (Church of Sant Climent de Pal’). The region of Ordino is known for its ski resort ‘Arcalis’. Overall, Andorra is a great country to visit for every season. In the winter, you have high quality ski resorts to choose. In the summer, you have numerous hiking/ cycling tracks to navigate through. All year-round, you have duty-free shopping, and the Caldea thermal spa centre. The location of Andorra is great for travellers who are in Barcelona (Spain) or Toulouse (France), as the capital of Andorra is only a 3-4 hour bus journey. Thus, I highly recommend incorporating a travel itinerary of Barcelona, Andorra la Vella, and Toulouse in your travels, as all 3 destinations can give you a great experience.
Andorra
Europe
Andorra
Europe
