Andorra: a small country between Spain and France

Andorra: A Unique Tiny Territory between Spain and France

Andorra is a tiny territory squeezed between Spain and France. Its size seems dwarfed compared to its huge neighbors—only 468 square kilometers. This place is divided into seven regions or parishes. One of these areas is Andorra la Vella, which is the capital of the country. More than 22,000 people live in this capital region, which covers just 12 square kilometers.

The capital of Andorra: The Center of Government and Financial Institutions

The capital of the Principality of Andorra is a true center for all government, financial, and educational institutions. Real estate is actively traded here, including apartments, townhouses, and condominiums. Owning a personal vehicle in the capital can be problematic due to a lack of parking spaces.

Unique Natural Features and Financial Offshoring of Andorra

Andorra is landlocked, but it compensates for this with over 60 mountain lakes, thermal springs, and four rivers. It is a true financial offshore, governed by a bishop and a president since 1278. In reality, however, the country is managed by a parliament.

Multilingual Population and Tourism as a Primary Source of Income

The population of Andorra is about 80,000 people, with only a third of them being native residents. The official language is Catalan, but Spanish and French can also be studied in local schools, making the residents multilingual. The main source of income for the country is tourism, which accounts for 80% of its GDP. More than 10 million tourists choose this country for their vacation each year.

Andorra is a unique principality that is often associated with "leisurely Spain, surrounded by mountains." In winter, tourists from all over the world come here to enjoy skiing. The tax burden in the country is significantly lower than in other European countries, making it attractive for businesspeople.

Andorra is a member of various international organizations such as the United Nations, the OSCE and the IMF, which contributes to its participation in the global community. Andorra is a member of various international organizations such as the UN, the OSCE and the IMF, which facilitates its participation in the global community. The country has a special agreement with the EU, which gives it a number of advantages. It is important to note that it is not part of the Schengen zone. However, residents can freely travel without a visa to neighboring countries such as France, Spain and Portugal.

Andorra does not have a national army; however, in the event of a threat to its security, France and Spain take on the responsibility of defense. There is also an alert system called "sometent" to mobilize men in case of emergencies.

Travelers should know that there is no international airport in Andorra, so they arrive in nearby cities. The country can also be reached by train and then by bus or rented car. There are no railways in Andorra; the nearest station is in the French town of L'Hospitalet-près-l'Andorre.

Life in Andorra is not cheap, but it is affordable: the standard of living is comparable to that of Madrid or Barcelona, and unemployment is low. Thanks to the high income per capita and developed infrastructure, the country attracts many residents from around the world who wish to enjoy the mountain landscapes and comfortable living.

Exploring Andorra in the summer

In summer, enjoying a stroll through the ancient streets of Andorra is a truly splendid pleasure. pleasure.

Andorra on the world map

Finding Andorra on the map for the first time is not easy: the small territory (468 sq. km) is nestled between its huge neighbors – Spain and France, whose sizes are a thousand times larger. Meanwhile, this miniature country is divided into as many as seven regions (parishes).

Regions of Andorra

Andorra la Vella (the capital of the same name is located here)

Canillo

La Massana

Ordino

San Julià de Lòria

Enkamese

Kaldes-engordan

Cost of living in Andorra

Andorra is a wealthy country with a per capita income of over $20,000 a year and a low unemployment rate (according to various sources, between 3% and 4%). At the same time, the cost of living here is lower than in major cities in America, Canada, France, or Australia. Expenses for housing, transportation, food, and utilities are comparable to those in Madrid or Barcelona.

The economy of Andorra

Tourism is the most important part of Andorra's economy, and it's no wonder why this place attracts more than 10 million visitors every year. attracts over 10 million visitors every year. Mountain resorts, snowboarding and ski slopes are highly prized in winter. in the winter. In summer, Andorra offers many hiking and biking trails. And Andorra is also a shopaholic's paradise thanks to low taxes and no customs duties.

History and governance of Andorra

Andorra is "almost Spain, with a skiing twist," and every winter it sees a decent influx of tourists. Legally, Andorra is not considered an offshore zone, but taxes here are significantly lower (by 20-40%) than in most European countries. The absence of customs duties attracts not only shopping enthusiasts but also businesspeople. Andorra is a member of the UN, OSCE, and IMF. It also has observer status at the WTO and a special agreement with the EU, although it is not a member.