Principality of Andorra
A state located in Europe, in the eastern Pyrenees between France (border length - 36.6 km) and Spain (63.7 km). Area - 468 km². Capital - Andorra la Vella (22,000 in 2003), other cities: Escaldes (15,000), Encamp (10,800), Sant Julià de Lòria (7,800). Administrative-territorial division - 7 parishes, which have certain administrative and financial autonomy. The country's constitution, paying tribute to the feudal-monarchical era from which modern Andorra originates, has preserved its historical name - Principality, which, despite the specificity of its governance, is essentially a republican state. Population - 12,500 (2003); ethnic composition: Spaniards (of whom Catalans are predominant) - 46.4%, Andorrans - 19.5%, Portuguese - 10.8%, French - 6.7%. Average life expectancy: men - 75 years, women - 82 years.
Andorra has strict immigration laws, which the authorities explain as a desire of the small nation "not to dissolve in the numerous immigrant environment and to preserve its ethnic and historical-cultural uniqueness." Andorran citizenship can be granted to individuals who have lived in the country for at least 25 years. There are various restrictions on granting temporary residence permits and work permits. The official language is Catalan, with Spanish and French also widely used. Religion - Catholic (99.1% of believers). Currency - Euro (since January 1, 2002). There are no armed forces, only small police formations (about 150 people) ensuring public order.
Diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation were established on June 13, 1995.
National holidays - September 8 (Day of Our Lady of Meritxell, patroness of Andorra) and March 14 (Constitution Day).
According to the new constitution approved in a referendum on March 14, 1993, Andorra is a parliamentary principality. The historically established co-sovereignty of Andorra since 1278 between the Bishop of Urgell (from the city of Seu d'Urgell, Spain) and the President of France has been preserved. They are the guarantors of Andorra's independence and its equal neighborly relations with Spain and France. The real powers of the co-sovereigns are limited by the constitution, participating in the preparation of international treaties concerning internal security, defense, and border issues. Currently, the co-sovereigns are Joan Enric Vives (since 2003) and Jacques Chirac (since 1995).
The legislative authority is the unicameral General Council (the oldest parliament in Europe after Iceland, functioning since 1419), which controls the government's activities and approves the state budget, elects the chairman of the parliament (syndic) and his deputy, as well as the head of government, who bears political responsibility before the parliament. It is elected by universal direct voting for 4 years (the last elections were on April 24, 2005) and consists of 28 members (14 deputies from the parishes, i.e., 2 from each, and 14 from party lists, with half of the deputies renewed every 2 years). The chairman of the General Council is F. Areny.
The government is the highest executive body, directing the internal and external policies of the country. It consists of 9 ministers. The current government, headed by A. Pintat (Liberal Party of Andorra), was sworn in in June 2005.
Main political forces: the ruling Liberal Party of Andorra (chairman - A. Pintat), the main opposition - the Social Democratic Party of Andorra (leader - X. Bartumeu), the Democratic Center of Andorra (general secretary - X. M. Cosan), Democratic Renewal (chairman - P. Garcia), the Green Party (chairman - I. Lozano). All of them adhere to centrist, moderately nationalist positions.
There is the Andorran Trade Union of Workers.
The first mentions of the territory of present-day Andorra date back to 778, when the Visigoths, under pressure from the Arabs, were forced to leave the city of Seu d'Urgell and seek refuge in the high mountain plains of the Pyrenees. Emperor Charlemagne halted the Arab advance further north and placed Andorra under the protection of the Bishop of Urgell (Spain).
In the Middle Ages, Andorra was a feudal possession mainly of the Counts of Foix and the Bishops of Urgell. In 1278, an agreement was reached between them on joint sovereignty over Andorra ("act of parage"). Subsequently, the rights of the Counts of Foix passed to the French kings. Until 1993, Andorra was officially a feudal principality under the protection of France and Spain. The co-sovereigns of Andorra (the President of France and the Bishop of Urgell) jointly appointed representatives-vicars with the powers of the head of state. The vicars had to be native residents of the principality and live on its territory. They took an oath to respect the "Fundamental Legislative Act of Andorra" (a kind of constitution adopted in 1866). In 1933, universal suffrage was introduced for men, and in 1970 - for women.
On June 1, 1993, a Treaty of Good Neighborliness and Cooperation was signed between the Kingdom of Spain, the French Republic, and the Principality of Andorra, which established its new independent status.
In 1993, Andorra was admitted to the UN, in 1994 - to the Council of Europe, UNESCO, and UNICEF, in 1996 - to the OSCE and the World Tourism Organization, and in 1997 - to the WHO. In July 1996, the country officially joined the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Currently, Andorra has diplomatic relations with 77 countries worldwide.
The GDP volume in 2004 was $1.71 billion (growth - 4.5%), inflation rate - 3.2%. 80% of budget revenues come from tourism activities, mainly skiing (over 12 million annually). An important sector of the economy is the cultivation and processing of tobacco. There are light and food industry enterprises (primarily cheese and mineral water production), as well as handicraft production of souvenirs and jewelry. The population of mountain villages engages in livestock breeding and agriculture (growing barley, rye, potatoes, and grapes). The only hydroelectric power station in the country is located in Escaldes.
There are deposits of iron, tin, marble, granite, and therapeutic thermal waters. Due to relatively low customs duties, re-export of goods brings significant income. There are 7 banks operating in the country. Only road transport is used, with a road length of 278 km. In 1983, a customs union was established with the EU.
The main foreign trade partners in the trade and economic sphere are Spain (60% of exports and 50% of imports) and France (about 25% of exports and the same amount of imports).
There is no unemployment in Andorra. The main areas of employment are: trade (25%), construction (18%), hospitality (15%), and services (12%).
Primary education is free and compulsory in all educational institutions until the age of 14. There are more than 10,000 students, and the literacy rate in the country is nearly 100%. The only higher education institution in the country is Andorran University (since 1997), where about 25% of Andorran students study (the rest abroad, mainly in Spain, France, the UK, and the USA).
Several newspapers and magazines are published (the main one being the daily newspaper "Diari d'Andorra," and the weekly "Poble d'Andorra"), there are 2 radio stations and a local TV channel "Andorra TV-Channel 33." In addition, broadcasts from Spanish and French television are received.
