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Andorra
Overview
Country Overview
The mountainous, romantically rugged country of Andorra is situated in the eastern Pyrenees, bordered by France and Spain. Four rivers run through the country and there are several mountain lakes. Accommodation consists of over 350 hotels and guest houses. Its two greatest attractions are that it is both a duty-free state and a centre for winter sports, particularly in the main towns of Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany. Most ski resorts offer good facilities. Nursery slopes and skiing for intermediates are available. Andorra la Vella, the country’s capital, lies at the junction of two mountain streams. Sights worth visiting include a fine 12th-century church and the Casa de la Vall, the ancient seat of government. Cuisine is mainly Catalan, and local dishes include coques (flavoured flat cakes), trinxat (a potato and cabbage dish) and truites de carreroles (a type of mushroom omelette). The many bars and hotels provide a variety of evening entertainment.
General Information
Area: 467.8 sq km (180.6 sq miles).
Population: 66,334 (official estimate 2001).
Population Density: 141.80 per sq km.
Capital: Andorra la Vella. Population: 21,189 (1999).
GEOGRAPHY: Andorra is situated in the eastern Pyrenees, bordered by France to the north and east and Spain to the south and west. It is roughly halfway between Barcelona and Toulouse. The landscape consists of gorges and narrow valleys surrounded by mountains. Much of the landscape is forested, but there are several areas of rich pastureland in the valleys. There are four rivers and several mountain lakes. Ski resorts and the spa town of Les Escaldes are Andorra’s main attractions.
Government: Principality under the suzerainty of the President of France and the Spanish Bishop of Urgel. Heads of State: Co-Princes Joan Martí Alanis (Bishop of la Seu d’Urgell) and Jacques Chirac (President of France). Head of Government: Marc Forné Molne.
Language: The official language is Catalan. Spanish and French are also spoken.
Religion: Roman Catholic.
Time: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).
Electricity: Sockets: 240 volts AC, 50Hz. Lighting: 125 volts AC.
Communications:
Telephone
Full IDD is available. Country code: 376. Outgoing international code: 0.
Mobile telephone
GSM 900 network covers practically the whole country. Main operator is STA (website: www.sta.ad).
Internet
ISPs include Andorra Online (website: www.andorraonline.ad). Internet cafes are readily available.
Post
Internal mail services are free; international mail takes about a week within Europe. A poste restante service is available in Andorra la Vella. Post office hours: 0900-1300 and 1500-1700 in Andorra la Vella, otherwise variable.
Press
Andorra has two daily newspapers, the Diari d’Andorra, and the Periodic D’Andorra and one weekly publication, the Poble Andorra.
BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change.
BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice):
Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov):
Passport/Visa
| | Passport Required? | Visa Required? | Return Ticket Required? | | British | Yes | 2 | No | | Australian | Yes | 2 | Yes | | Canadian | Yes | 2 | Yes | | USA | Yes | 2 | Yes | | OtherEU | 1 | 2 | No | | Japanese | Yes | 2 | Yes |
PASSPORTS: 1. Valid passport required by all except for nationals of France and Spain, providing they hold a valid ID card.
VISAS: 2. There are no visa requirements for entry into Andorra; however, the relevant regulations for France or Spain should be followed, depending on which country is transited to reach Andorra. Visitors wishing to have their passport stamped with the Andorran coat of arms should apply to the Sindicat d’Initiativa in the capital.
Validity: Stays of up to three months are allowed without a visa.
Temporary residence: Apply in person at the Immigration Office, Carrer de les Boigues-Escaldes-Engordany.
Money
Currency: Although most currencies are accepted, the main currency in circulation is the Euro. See the France or Spain section for further details of exchange rates.
Single European currency (Euro): The Euro is now the official currency of 12 EU member states (including France and Spain). The first Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 2002 and completely replaced the French Franc on 17 February 2002, and the Spanish Peseta on 28 February 2002. Euro (€) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2, 1 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Currency exchange: Andorran banks and bureaux de change will exchange foreign currency.
Credit & debit cards: Diners Club, Visa, American Express and MasterCard are accepted, as well as Eurocheque cards. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Travellers cheques: To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling and US Dollars.
Currency restrictions: There are no restrictions when entering the country, but French and Spanish authorities may carry out formalities on departure.
Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1300 and 1500-1700, Sat 0900-1200.
Duty Free
Andorra is a duty-free zone, but travellers should check French/Spanish regulations as both these countries maintain customs control at the borders.
Prohibited/restricted items: Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, explosives (including fireworks), flick knives, pornography, horror comics, radio transmitters, certain foodstuffs, plants, flowers, animals and birds and items made from endangered species. No works of art can be exported without permission.
Public Holidays
Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Jan 6 Epiphany. Mar 14 Constitution Day. Apr 17-21 Holy Thursday to Easter Monday. May 1 Labour Day. May 29 Ascension. Jun 8 Whit Sunday (Pentecost). Jun 9 Whit Monday. Jun 24 St John’s Day. Aug 15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin. Sep 8 National Day. Nov 1 All Saints’ Day. Nov 4 St Charles’ Day Dec 8 Immaculate Conception. Dec 24 Christmas Eve. Dec 25-26 Christmas. Dec 31 New Year’s Eve. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Jan 6 Epiphany. Mar 14 Constitution Day. Apr 8-12 Holy Thursday to Easter Monday. May 1 Labour Day. May 20 Ascension. May 30 Whit Sunday (Pentecost). May 31 Whit Monday. Jun 24 St John’s Day. Aug 15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin. Sep 8 National Day. Nov 1 All Saints’ Day. Nov 4 St Charles’ Day. Dec 8 Immaculate Conception. Dec 24 Christmas Eve. Dec 25-26 Christmas. Dec 31 New Year’s Eve.
Note: In July, August and September, parishes have their own public holidays during which festivals are held.
Health
| | Special Precautions | Certificate Required | | Yellow Fever | No | No | | Cholera | No | No | | Typhoid and Polio | No | N/A | | Malaria | No | N/A |
Other risks: Visitors should check their tetanus immunisation is up to date.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical help without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.
Health care: For UK citizens, most health costs are covered by reciprocal health agreements but additional insurance is advised. Visitors should note that as entry to Andorra is usually through France or Spain, the health regulations of these countries should be complied with.
Travel - International
AIR: Andorra’s two nearest international airports are Barcelona (BCN) in Spain, 225km (140 miles) from Andorra and Toulouse (TLS), in France, 180km (112 miles) from Andorra. For more information on the airports and their facilities, consult the Spain and France sections. Shared taxis and buses are available.
RAIL: Routes from Perpignan, Villefranche, Toulouse and Barcelona go to La Tour de Carol, 20km (12 miles) from Andorra. The nearest station is L’Hospitalet, but buses run from both L’Hospitalet and La Tour de Carol (see Road below).
ROAD: Mountainous roads exist over the Envalira pass from Perpignan, Tarbes and Toulouse (France); and southwards to Barcelona and Lérida (Spain). Buses run regularly from Barcelona, Tarragona, Valencia and Madrid (Spain); and Toulouse (France). Taxis may also be taken and sharing is common practice to cut costs. Bus: The journey from La Tour de Carol takes 2 hours 20 minutes and runs daily at 1045 and 1315. From L’Hospitalet the service takes 2 hours 40 minutes and runs early enough to permit a day-return trip from France. A seasonal service runs from Aix-les-Thermes and services may be available from Seo de Urgel in Spain. Eurolines, departing from Victoria Coach Station in London, serves destinations in Andorra. For further information, contact Eurolines (4 Cardiff Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, L41 1PP; tel: (08705) 143 219; fax: (01582) 400 694; website: www.eurolines.com or www.gobycoach.com).
Travel - Internal
ROAD: A good road runs from the Spanish to the French frontiers through Saint Julià, Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany, Encamp, Canillo and Soldeu. There is one major east–west route and a minor road to El Serrat, which is closed in winter. Bus: There are buses and minibuses linking Andorra’s villages on the 186km (115 miles) of road. Traffic drives on the right. Documentation: National driving licence accepted.
Accommodation
HOTELS: There are hundreds of hotels and guest-houses, principally catering for the summer months and ski season, although some stay open all year round. Rooms during the summer months (July-August) should be booked well in advance. Hotels and restaurants are registered with the Tourist Office (Sindicat d’Initiativa) and are bound to keep to the registered prices and services. Information on hotels can be obtained from the Andorran Hotel Association (Unió Hotelera d’Andorra), Antic Carrer Major 18, Andorra la Vella (tel: 820 625; fax: 861 539; e-mail: uhotelera@uha.ad; website: www.uha.ad).
MOUNTAIN REFUGES: These offer cheap and basic accommodation; normally they will have one room available for visitors, and may or may not have a hearth and bunk beds. Enquire locally about locations and prices.
CAMPING: There are 25 campsites in Andorra, most of which are close to the main towns and are well signposted. Several have shops and other facilities. There are also facilities for caravans.
Introduction
The country is mountainous, traversed by a main road which runs roughly north-east to south-west, along which most of the settlements are to be found. Many of these are villages or hamlets with Romanesque churches and houses built in the local style; others, off the main road, are even more unspoilt, and provide spectacular views across the rugged countryside. For the visitor, however, Andorra’s two greatest attractions are that it is both a duty-free state and a centre for winter sports, a combination which has led to a great deal of overt commercialism, particularly in the main towns of Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany.
Andorra la Vella, the country’s capital, lies at the junction of two mountain streams. Sights there include a fine 12th-century church and the Casa de la Vall, the ancient seat of government.
Adjoining the capital is the spa town of Escaldes-Engordany which also has examples of Romanesque architecture. These towns are also the centre of the colourful Andorran local festival in early September, in honour of the Virgin of Meritxell. Approximately 18km (11 miles) from Escaldes-Engordany, off the main road, is the hamlet of El Serrat, which commands a breathtaking view across the mountains. The town of Encamp, between the capital and the French frontier, is also worth a visit.
Ski resorts: There are several ski resorts in Andorra, most of which offer good facilities. The main centre is Soldeu, the first major settlement on the road after the French frontier at Port d’Envalira. Both nursery slopes and skiing for intermediates are available, with a good ski school offering tuition at reasonable prices. There are also ski centres at Pas de la Casa-Grau Roig, on the French frontier, and at Ordino-Arcalis and Arinsal-Pal, all north of Andorra la Vella. Cross-country skiing is available in the resort of La Rabassa. Further information can be obtained from Ski Andorra, Edifici les columnes, 58-70 Avenida Taragona, Andorra la Vella (tel: 864 389; fax: 865 910; e-mail: skiandorra@skiandorra.ad; website: www.skiandorra.ad). The Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses section) can provide details on prices and snow conditions.
Sport & Activities
There is excellent skiing (for further information, see Resorts & Excursions section). A bus service picks up skiers from hotels and inns, and takes them to the slopes, returning in the evening. There are many good nursery slopes. Other available activities include horseriding, tennis, swimming, trout fishing, clay-pigeon shooting, hiking and rock climbing. Football, rugby, basketball, motorbike and car rallies are the most popular spectator sports.
Social Profile
Food & Drink: Cuisine is mainly Catalan, and generally expensive. Quality and prices in restaurants are similar to those in small French and Spanish resort towns. Local dishes include coques (flavoured flat cakes), trinxat (a potato and cabbage dish), truites de carreroles (a type of mushroom omelette), local sausages and cheese, and a variety of pork and ham dishes.
Alcoholic drinks bought in shops and supermarkets are cheap (Andorra is a duty-free zone), but prices in bars can be high. They do, however, stay open late.
Nightlife: Andorra’s many bars and hotels provide a variety of evening entertainment. Discotheques are open during both summer and winter.
Shopping: There is duty-free shopping for all goods. Petrol, alcohol, cameras and watches can be purchased at low prices. Electrical goods are very good value. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900-2000, Sun 0900-1900.
Special Events: Regional festivals take place annually in the following locations:
Andorra la Vella: From the first Saturday in August for three days. Canillo: From the third Saturday in June for three days. Encamp: Three-day festival in August. Escaldes-Engordany: Three-day International Jazz Festival in July. La Massana: Three-day festival in August. Ordino: The International Music Festival in June and July and a two-day classical music festival in September. Meritxell: Concerts by famous musicians and singers in September. Sant Julià-de-Loria: From the last Sunday in July for three days.
Social Conventions: Normal social courtesies should be extended when visiting someone’s home. Handshaking is the accepted form of greeting. Dress is informal and smoking is very common; customs are similar to those of Spain. Tipping: Service charges are usually included in the bill. Porters and waiters expect a further ten per cent.
Business Profile
Economy: Andorra’s status as a low tax and duty-free zone has led to the development of a major trade in consumer goods. This trade, along with tourism and, more recently, financial services are now the major components of the Andorran economy. There is a small but thriving agricultural sector farming potatoes, tobacco and livestock. There is also a small mining industry exploiting deposits of lead, iron and alum. The country’s hydroelectric power plant supplies about a quarter of domestic needs; Andorra is dependent on imports of electricity and other fuels from France and Spain. Andorra’s main trading partners are neighbouring France and Spain. In 1997, the country opened negotiations to join the World Trade Organisation. In June 2000, Andorra was identified by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) – the world’s 30 largest economies – as one of 35 ‘tax havens’ whose financial laws are believed to encourage large-scale tax evasion and money-laundering. By March 2002, all but seven of the 35 had introduced measures to meet the OECD demands: Andorra was one of the seven, and now faces economic and financial sanctions.
Business: Suits are recommended at all times with white shirt and black shoes. Prior appointments are necessary and meetings tend to be formal. Punctuality is important. Lunch is usually after 1330 and can extend through the afternoon. Although English is quite widely spoken, a knowledge of Spanish/Catalan or French is very useful. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1700. Some offices open Mon-Fri 0800-1500 (summer only).
Conferences/Conventions: For information on conference and convention facilities, contact the Centre de Congressos i Exposicions, Plaça Poble, Andorra la Vella (tel: 861 131; fax: 861 489).
Climate
Temperate climate with warm summers and cold winters. Rain falls throughout the year.
Required clothing: Lightweights for the summer and warm mediumweights during winter. Waterproofing is advisable throughout the year.
History and Government
History: Andorra is one of the oldest nations in Europe, originally established by Charlemagne as a buffer state against the Iberian muslims. As a result of the Paretages of 1278 and 1288, control of the country was split between the Spanish Bishop of Urgell and a nominee appointed by the King of France (initially the Count de Foix) and, subsequently, by the French Emperors and Presidents. The country was therefore a co-principality, with two heads of state sharing power jointly: the readiness of both sides to compromise allowed this unique arrangement to last intact until the late 20th century. Although the inhabitants of Andorra were not consulted, they were prepared to accept a deal which guaranteed their security and national integrity. With the exception of a brief period during the Napoleonic Wars, Andorra has retained its independence ever since.
The first semblance of internal government appeared in the early 15th century with the establishment of the Consell de la Terra, comprising the heads of the principal Andorran families. A relatively poor enclave, its continued existence for the next 300 years was ensured by tax concessions granted by the French and Spanish governments. Eighteenth-century economic reforms in Spain seriously disrupted the Andorran economy, and the principality only just managed to survive through astute negotiation with the Spanish and the rapid adoption of new working practices from the Industrial Revolution. The 19th century was a period of great uncertainty as the Andorrans struggled to maintain their independence and economic viability. It was not until the beginning of the 20th century, with the establishment of road and communication links with France and Spain that Andorra was able to get back on its feet. There was steady economic and political progress throughout the 20th century, but at a much slower pace than was reasonable for a modern European state.
The long-overdue institutional and constitutional reforms began at the turn of the 1980s Following their completion in 1993, both France and Spain have explicitly recognised the sovereignty of Andorra, which has since applied for membership of the Council of Europe. Domestic politics are dominated by two parties, the Uniò Liberal (UL) and the Agrupament Nacional Democràtic (AND). Following a comprehensive victory in the February 1997 poll at which the UL took 18 of the 28 seats on the Conseil General, a UL government took office under the leadership of Marc Forné Molné. Four years later, the electorate returned the Molné government for a second term, again with an absolute majority.
Government: The present Andorran constitution, introduced in 1993, formally enshrined Andorra as a Principality. Administration is in the hands of a General Council with 28 members, four from each of the seven parishes, elected by universal suffrage. The Council elects a President and a Vice-President.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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