Andorra facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Principality of Andorra Principat d'Andorra  (Catalan)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Virtus Unita Fortior (Latin) "United virtue is stronger"
Anthem: El Gran Carlemany  (Catalan) "The Great Charlemagne"
Location of  Andorra  (centre of green circle) on the European continent  (dark grey)
Capital and largest city	Andorra la Vella 42°30′23″N 1°31′17″E / 42.50639°N 1.52139°E / 42.50639; 1.52139
Official languages	Catalan
Ethnic groups (2021)	48.3% Andorrans 24.8% Spaniards 11.2% Portuguese 4.5% French 1.4% Argentines 9.8% others
Religion (2020)	90.8% Christianity 85.5% Catholicism (official) 5.3% other Christian 6.9% no religion 2.3% others
Demonym(s)	Andorran
Government	Unitary parliamentary diarchic constitutional co-principality
• Co-Princes	Joan Enric Vives i Sicília Emmanuel Macron
• Representatives	Josep Maria Mauri Patrick Strzoda
• Prime Minister	Xavier Espot Zamora
Legislature	General Council
Independence
• From the Crown of Aragon	8 September 1278
• From the French Empire	1814
• Constitution	2 February 1993
Area
• Total	467.63 km2 (180.55 sq mi) (178th)
• Water (%)	0.26 (121.4 ha)
Population
• 2023 estimate	85,863 (185th)
• Density	179.8/km2 (465.7/sq mi) (71st)
GDP (PPP)	2024 estimate
• Total	$6.001 billion (168th)
• Per capita	$69,146 (18th)
GDP (nominal)	2024 estimate
• Total	$3.897 billion (159th)
• Per capita	$44,900 (24th)
Gini (2003)	27.21 low
HDI (2022)	0.884 very high · 35th
Currency	Euro (€) (EUR)
Time zone	UTC+01 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02 (CEST)
Date format	dd/mm/yyyy
Driving side	right
Calling code	+376
ISO 3166 code	AD
Internet TLD	.ad

Andorra, also known as the Principality of Andorra, is a small country in Southern Europe. It is a landlocked nation, meaning it has no coastline. Andorra is nestled high in the Pyrenees mountains. It shares borders with Spain and France.

About 84,000 people live in Andorra. The country's capital city is Andorra la Vella. Andorra is unique because it is led by two "co-princes." One is a Spanish Bishop, and the other is the French President. Andorra has a government where people elect their leaders. This is called a parliamentary democracy.

Andorra is a wealthy country. Its economy mainly relies on tourism. Each year, about 10.2 million visitors come to enjoy its beauty.

The official language of Andorra is Catalan. However, people also speak Spanish, Portuguese, and French. Andorra is not a member of the European Union. The money used in Andorra is the euro.

Andorra's Past: A Brief History

Andorra has a long and interesting history. It is believed that Charlemagne, a famous king, gave the Andorran people their country. This was a reward for their help in fighting against the Moors.

Early Rulers of Andorra

Before 1095, Andorra did not have its own military protection. So, two powerful leaders decided to rule Andorra together. These were the Lord of Caboet and the Bishop of Urgell.

Later, in 1607, Henry IV of France made an important decision. He declared that the leader of France and the Bishop of Urgell would be the co-princes of Andorra. This system of two leaders continues to this day.

Andorra and World Wars

Andorra declared war on Imperial Germany during World War I. However, the country did not take part in any fighting. Andorra remained officially against Germany until 1957. This was because they were not part of the peace agreement called the Treaty of Versailles.

Andorra's Defense Today

Andorra does not have its own army. Instead, France and Spain help to protect the country. Andorra does have a police force, which has about 295 officers.

Andorra's Regions: Parishes

Andorra is divided into seven areas called parishes. Think of them like states or provinces.

• Andorra la Vella
• Canillo
• Encamp
• Escaldes-Engordany
• La Massana
• Ordino
• Sant Julià de Lòria

Andorra's Landscape: Geography

Andorra is located in the Pyrenees mountain range. This means it has many tall mountains and beautiful valleys. The highest mountain in Andorra is called Coma Pedrosa.

Major Cities in Andorra

Here are the largest cities in Andorra by population:

For more places in Andorra, you can check out the List of cities in Andorra.

Faith in Andorra: Religion

Most people in Andorra, about 90%, are Roman Catholic. Their special patron saint is Our Lady of Meritxell.

Learning in Andorra: Education

Education is very important in Andorra. Children aged 6 to 16 must attend school full-time. The government pays for education up to the secondary school level.

Andorra has one public university, the University of Andorra (UdA). It is the only university in the country.

A satellite image of Andorra

See also

In Spanish: Andorra para niños

Images for kids

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  Roc de les Bruixes prehistorical sanctuary in Canillo (detail)

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  Hannibal's route (red) during the Second Punic War. The Iberian tribes (green) fought against the Carthaginian army in the Pyrenees.

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  Charlemagne instructing his son, Louis the Pious

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  The six old parishes named by their patron saint as depicted in the Acta de Consagració i Dotació de la Catedral de la Seu d'Urgell (839)

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  Sant Joan de Caselles church, dating from the 11th century, part of the Andorran Romanesque heritage

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  1978 monument commemorating the 700th anniversary of the Paréages, located outside Casa de la Vall in the capital city of Andorra la Vella

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  Apse fresco of Sant Miquel d'Engolasters church, painted by Mestre de Santa Coloma during the 12th century

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  Main hall of Tribunal de Corts (High Court of Justice) inside Casa de la Vall, the central Judiciary Court of Andorra

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  Manor house of the Rossell family in Ordino, Casa Rossell, built in 1611. The family also owned the largest ironwork forges in Andorra as Farga Rossell and Farga del Serrat.

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  Guillem d'Areny-Plandolit led the New Reform of 1866.

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  Canillo scenery during the Revolution of 1881

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  Boris Skossyreff, briefly self-proclaimed King of Andorra in 1934

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  Enthronement as Co-Prince in 1942 of Bishop Ramón Iglesias (centre). The local comite was led by Francesc Cairat (left), the First General Syndic with the longest regencie, from 1936 to 1960.

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  Co-Prince Charles de Gaulle in the streets of Sant Julià de Lòria in Andorra, October 1967

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  Streets of the city centre of Andorra la Vella in 1986. From the same year until 1989 Andorra normalized the economic treaties with the EEC.

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  Foreign Minister of Andorra Gilbert Saboya meeting Austrian foreign minister Sebastian Kurz at the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in 2014

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  The embassy of Andorra in Brussels

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  Map of Andorra with its seven parishes labelled

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  The town of Encamp, as seen from the Vall dels Cortals

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  Andorra–La Seu d'Urgell Airport, located 12 km away from Andorra, in Montferrer i Castellbò (Catalonia, Eastern Spain)

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  A train at Latour-de-Carol (La Tor de Querol), one of the two stations serving Andorra. Andorra has no railways, although the line connecting Latour-de-Carol and Toulouse, which in turn connects to France's TGVs at Toulouse, runs within two kilometres (1.2 miles) of the Andorran border.

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  RTVA, the public service television and radio broadcaster in Andorra

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  Andorran flag on a balcony, Ordino

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  Folk costume (Le val d'Andorre)

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  Grandalla flower, the national symbol

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  View of Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

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  Altar of Sant Romà de Vila

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  Santa Coloma d'Andorra

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  The athletes from Andorra at the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics

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  Laure Soulié, Olympic biathlete

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  Laurent Recouderc serving at the 2010 French Open

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  2015 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships in Vallnord, La Massana

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  Volta als Ports d'Andorra, the national road cycling tour

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  Estadi Comunal d'Andorra la Vella