The Principality of Andorra, an independent small state, is located in the Pyrenees between France and Spain. The winter sports and tax haven has a special constitution and two foreign heads of state (the French head of state and the Bishop of Urgell). Since the referendum on the constitution in 1993, Andorra is a parliamentary co-principality and the Prime Minister is elected by Parliament.
Andorra lies in the eastern part of the Pyrenees and has a very mountainous landscape, with an average altitude of 6550 ft and more than 65 mountains exceeding 6560 ft.
Andorra is a mountainous region with heavy snowfalls in winter at average temperatures of - 5 ° C. The summers are relatively mild, with temperatures around 24 ° C. Andorra is an attractive year round tourist destination. In winter, from December to April, winter sports may be enjoyed at the many and well-equipped ski slopes of the largest ski resort in the Pyrenees, and in summer visitors may go hiking in the beautiful wild mountains.
Andorra is the only country in the world where Catalan is the official language. Nevertheless, Castilian Spanish is widely spoken due to the many foreigners who live in the country who are in the majority and do not necessarily make the effort to learn Catalan. French is also very common.
Andorra enjoys a good standard of health care and no particular additional vaccinations are necessary. Those planning a skiing or hiking holiday should however come well prepared to reduce the risk of injury and have a comprehensive travel and health insurance to cover the activities that they wish to pursue.
As Andorra is very mountainous, only one road enters the country from France and one from Spain. Neither are there any airports in the Principality, visitors should therefore take a plane to Barcelona or Toulouse, or the nearest airport in Perpignan, and then continue the journey by train and bus or car.
Andorra la Vella, Andorra the old, is situated in the south-west of the Principality and is the highest city in Europe with an altitude of 1 029 m (3375 ft). The city is rich in contrast, with medieval buildings as well as modern architecture. Visiting the Casa de la Vall, seat of parliament, the City Theatre and the conference centre is highly recommended. In Andorra la Vella there are also some fine examples of Romanesque architecture, including the Santa Coloma Church and the Margineda Bridge, the longest bridge in the country dating back to the Middle Ages. The bridge has an arc of 20 miles and a height of 29 ft and is located in Sant Julià de Lorià, only 3 km from the capital.
The city houses the largest recreation centre in Southern Europe, the Caldea, with thermal baths whose waters are rich in sodium and trace elements, with a temperature of about 33 ° C. The water is reputed to have a pain reducing and healing effect.
Andorra is still primarily regarded as a tax haven, where neither tax nor VAT have to be paid and where prices are unbeatable. This however is due to change as the Principality has in recent years invested heavily in the development of tourism and in maintaining the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the country.
The small town of Soldeu is located between Soldeu Pas de la Case and Andorra la Vella and has all the fine qualities that a small mountain village needs. In summer, the balconies are decorated with geraniums and during the winter there is plenty of snow. The town offers both the charm of tradition as well as the comfort of modernity. In summer many different hiking trails are easily reached from the town, these leading over numerous mountains and in the winter visitors can put on their skis on the doorstep and then easily reach the large ski resort of Grandvalira. For those who are not entirely exhausted from their day on the mountains the city also has a lively nightlife.
Pas de la Case is very close to the border with France and very popular with the French, mainly because of the excellent shopping opportunities. However, Pas de la Case is also the largest ski resort of Andorra. Thanks to the altitude of 2 250 m (7381 ft), there is always snow on the slopes in the winter.
The fact that the valley of Madriu was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 2004 is further proof that Andorra has a unique and beautiful natural heritage. In summer visitors may enjoy the scenery in the Pyrenees by walking, canoeing, climbing or cycling.
In winter, Andorra is perfect for winter sports. The electorate has 177 slopes, the slopes measure 177 miles in total, with 110 lifts and 1 385 snow cannons, separated into 3 main skiing areas.
The cultural heritage of Andorra is very influenced by Romanesque architecture, since the small country has no less than 40 churches and chapels, built between the 9th and 13th Centuries. To mention just a few: Sant Joan de Caselles in Canillo and Sant Romà de les Bons in Encamp, Sant Marti de la Cortinada in Ordino or the sanctuary of Meritxell in Canillo, that was built on the ruins of a burnt down church from the 17th Century, and designed by the famous Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill.
Andorra also has numerous museums. Those dealing with the history of the country include the Museum of Escaldes-Engordany which exhibits about 30 models of important Roman buildings in Andorra.