Official Name: Principality of Andorra
Capital: Andorra la Vella
Andorra is a small, landlocked country in the eastern Pyrenees mountains and bordered by France to the north and Spain to the south. Renowned for its ski resorts and a tax-haven status that encourages duty-free shopping.
Area: Approximately 468 square kilometers (approximately 181 square miles).
Population: Approximately 77,000 people (as of 2023 estimate).
Language: The official language is Catalan, although Spanish, Portuguese, and French are also commonly spoken.
Andorra has an alpine climate and continental climate. Its higher elevation means there is, on average, more snow in winter, lower humidity, and it is slightly cooler in summer.
The economy of Andorra is driven by tourism, which accounts for roughly 80% of GDP. An estimated 10.2 million tourists visit annually. Andorra is also a famous destination for duty-free shopping.
Andorra is a parliamentary co-principality with the President of France and the Catholic Bishop of Urgell (Catalonia, Spain) as co-princes. This peculiarity makes Andorra one of the smallest nations in the world that is a diarchy.
Andorran education system is unique because it offers three choices of schools, all funded by the government: Andorran, Spanish, and French, reflecting the country’s unique ties with both Spain and France.
Andorran culture is a blend of Catalan culture and Pyrenean traditions. Folk dances and music, the Sardana and contrapàs, are popular in Andorra.
Andorra is one of the only countries in the world where Catalan is an official language. Despite its small size, Andorra is a popular destination for winter sports, particularly skiing.
This is a general overview of Andorra. There’s much more to learn about this country, from its unique political system to its rich cultural traditions.
