Andorra Country Guide

Legend tells that Charlemagne founded Andorra in 805 in recognition of aid given by its inhabitants against the Saracens.

The earliest document known that mentions Andorra is the act of consecration of the cathedral of Santa Maria of Urgell in 839, which mentions the parishes (administrative and territorial divisions) of Andorra as the fief of the Counts of Urgell.

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Full Name: Principality of Andorra
Area: 468 sq km (water: 0 sq km, land: 468 sq km)
Population: 83,888 (July 2009 est.)
Capital City: Andorra la Vella

People: Spanish 43%, Andorran 33%, Portuguese 11%, French 7%, other 6% (1998)
Language: Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese
Religion: Roman Catholic (predominant)

Government Type: Parliamentary Democracy (since March 1993) that retains as its chiefs of state a coprincipality; the two princes are the president of France and bishop of Seo de Urgel, Spain, who are represented locally by coprinces' representatives
Chief of State French Coprince Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007); represented by Philippe MASSONI (since 26 July 2002) and Spanish Coprince Bishop Joan Enric VIVES i SICILIA (since 12 May 2003); represented by Nemesi MARQUES i OSTE (since NA)
Head of Government: Executive Council President Jaume BARTUMEU Cassany (since 5 June 2009)

GDP: $US 3.66 billion (2007)
GDP per Capita: $US 42,500 (2007)
Inflation: 3.9% (2007)
Unemployment: 0% (2007)
Industries: Tourism (particularly skiing), cattle raising, timber, banking, tobacco, furniture
Currency: Euro (€ - EUR)

Member of EU: No