From Wikitravel

Andorra [1] is a small (pop. 73,100, size 464 km squared), mountainous country in the Pyrenees mountains in Europe, and is located on the Iberian peninsula, on the border between France and Spain, in Southern Europe.

Contents 1 Cities 2 Understand 2.1 Economy 2.2 Electricity 3 Get in 3.1 By plane 3.2 By train 3.3 By car 3.4 By bus 4 Get around 5 Talk 6 Buy 7 Eat 8 Drink 9 Sleep 10 Learn 11 Work 12 Stay safe 13 Stay healthy 14 Contact

Cities

Andorra is arguably a city-state and has no distinct cities as such.

• Andorra La Vella -- capital city (pop. 23,300) of Andorra, and the main shopping destination.
• Pas de la Casa -- skiing resort located right on the French border.
• Encamp
• Soldeu

Understand

For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality, ruled by the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Urgel. In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads of state retained, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy. Long isolated and impoverished, mountainous Andorra achieved considerable prosperity since World War II through its tourist industry. Many immigrants (legal and illegal) are attracted to the thriving economy with its lack of income taxes.

Economy

Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy, accounts for roughly 80% of GDP. An estimated 9 million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and by its summer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative advantage has recently eroded as the economies of neighboring France and Spain have been opened up, providing broader availability of goods and lower tariffs. The banking sector, with its "tax haven" status, also contributes substantially to the economy. Agricultural production is limited - only 2% of the land is arable - and most food has to be imported. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising. Manufacturing output consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, and furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs) and as a non-EU member for agricultural products.

Electricity

Electricity is supplied at 220 to 230V 50Hz. Outlets are the European standard CEE-7/7 "Schukostecker" or "Schuko" or the compatible, CEE-7/16 "Europlug" types.

Get in

Due mainly to the mountainous nature of Andorra, there is only one road entering Andorra from France, and only one widely-used road entering Andorra from Spain. Almost all entry into the country happens at one of these two points.

By plane

There are no airports in Andorra - however there are daily coach services from the airports in Barcelona and Barcelona in Spain and Toulouse in France to Andorra.

By train

There are no train lines or stations in Andorra, and none close to the Spanish border. However, the French train station of l'Hospitalet is located a few miles from the Andorran border. It is possible to catch an overnight sleeper train from Paris to l'Hospitalet, as well as many other services. There is a connecting coach service from l'Hospitalet into Andorra, calling at Pas de la Casa, Soldeu and Andorra La Vella.

By car

Roads in Andorra are generally of a good quality. Entering from the Spanish side is a relatively straightforward drive; however entering from France is a more stressful affair involving many hairpin bends. Border control officers at both sides are generally fine. However, be sure your car is in good condition, since Andorra has a very high altitude.

Also, gas is very expensive. In 2006 the price per liter was near 10 euros!

By bus

There are many coach services operating into Andorra. From France there is a coach service from Toulouse, and one that operates via L'Hospitalet and La Tour de Carol. From Spain, coaches to Andorra can be caught from a variety of locations, such as Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, Lleida and Valencia.

Get around

Talk

Andorra's official language is Catalan, but almost everyone speaks French and/or Spanish. English is widely spoken too, especially by those involved in the tourism industry.

Buy

Euros are used throughout Andorra. Andorra La Vella is a good destination to buy all kinds of cheap goods, due to the country's status as a "tax haven".

Eat

Drink

Sleep

The Hotel Santa Bàrbara de la Vall d'Ordino Hotel *** is open year round. The price for a double room (per night) is 54 Euros Call : (376) 738 100 santabarbara@andorra.ad

Learn

Work

Stay safe

There is not much threat from other people in Andorra, but keep safe on mountains - don't go too high without knowing about what you are doing.

Stay healthy

Contact

Andorra is a well-connected country, and has accepted the Internet with open arms. Almost as many people subscribe to the Internet as own landline phones.

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