Andorra

Broadcast media

1 public TV station and 2 public radio stations; about 10 commercial radio stations; good reception of radio and TV broadcasts from stations in France and Spain; upgraded to terrestrial digital TV broadcasting in 2007; roughly 25 international TV channels available (2010)

Internet country code

.ad

Internet hosts

28,383 (2012) country comparison to the world: 109

Internet users

67,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 171

Telephone system

general assessment: modern automatic telephone system domestic: modern system with microwave radio relay connections between exchanges international: country code - 376; landline circuits to France and Spain

Telephones - main lines in use

38,400 (2011) country comparison to the world: 169

Telephones - mobile cellular

65,000 (2011) country comparison to the world: 197

Agriculture - products

small quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables; sheep

Budget

revenues: $427 million expenditures: $502 million (2012)

Debt - external

$NA

Economy - overview

Tourism, retail sales, and finance are the mainstays of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy, accounting for more than three-quarters of GDP. Andorra's duty-free status for some products and its summer and winter resorts attract millions of visitors annually, although the economic downturn in neighboring countries has curtailed tourism activity. The banking sector also contributes substantially to the economy. Andorra's comparative advantage as a tax haven eroded when the borders of neighboring France and Spain opened; its bank secrecy laws have been relaxed under pressure from the EU and OECD. Agricultural production is limited - only 2% of the land is arable - and most food has to be imported, making the economy vulnerable to changes in fuel and food prices. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising. Manufacturing output and exports consist mainly of perfumes and cosmetic products, products of the printing industry, electrical machinery and equipment, clothing, tobacco products, 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. Andorra uses the euro and is effectively subject to the monetary policy of the European Central Bank. Slower growth in Spain and France has dimmed Andorra's economic prospects. In 2010 and 2011 a drop in tourism contributed to a contraction in GDP and a sharp deterioration of public finances, prompting the government to begin implementing several austerity measures to reduce the budget deficit, including levying a special corporate tax. To bring in new revenue and diversify future sources of economic growth, the government is increasingly looking to promote foreign investment, including by relaxing foreign ownership rules.

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7838 (2012 est.) 0.7185 (2011 est.) 755 (2010 est.) 0.7198 (2009 est.) 0.6827 (2008 est.)

Exports

$70 million (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 $56 million (2010 est.)

Exports - commodities

tobacco products, furniture

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

(2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.119 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 $3.169 billion (2011 est.) $3.227 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2011 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$37,200 (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 $37,700 (2010 est.) $38,400 (2009 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

-1.6% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 202 -1.8% (2011 est.) -2.2% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$1.469 billion (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 $1.512 billion (2010 est.)

Imports - commodities

consumer goods, food, electricity

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.7% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 -1.6% (2011 est.)

Labor force

38,220 (2010) country comparison to the world: 201

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 0.4% industry: 4.7% services: 94.9% (2010)

Population below poverty line

NA (2008)

Unemployment rate

1.9% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 1.2% (2010 est.)

Electricity - consumption

598.7 million kWh (2009) country comparison to the world: 165

Electricity - exports

9 million kWh (2009) country comparison to the world: 86

Electricity - imports

497.7 million kWh (2009) country comparison to the world: 74

Electricity - production

101 million kWh (2009) country comparison to the world: 197

Area

total: 468 sq km country comparison to the world: 196 land: 468 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Riu Runer 840 m highest point: Pic de Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil erosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

42 30 N, 1 30 E

Geography - note

landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in the Pyrenees

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

total: 120.3 km border countries: France 56.6 km, Spain 63.7 km

Land use

arable land: 2.13% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.87% (2005)

Location

Southwestern Europe, Pyrenees mountains, on the border between France and Spain

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

avalanches

Natural resources

hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead

Terrain

rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys

Administrative divisions

7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, Escaldes-Engordany, La Massana, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria

Capital

name: Andorra la Vella geographic coordinates: 42 30 N, 1 31 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Constitution

Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991; approved by referendum 14 March 1993; effective 28 April 1993

Country name

conventional long form: Principality of Andorra conventional short form: Andorra local long form: Principat d'Andorra local short form: Andorra

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US does not have an embassy in Andorra; the US Ambassador to Spain is accredited to Andorra; US interests in Andorra are represented by the US Consulate General's office in Barcelona (Spain); mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; telephone: [34] (93) 280-2227; FAX: [34] (93) 280-6175

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Narcis CASAL de Fonsdeviela chancery: 2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 750-8064 FAX: [1] (212) 750-6630

Executive branch

chief of state: French Coprince Francois HOLLANDE (since 15 May 2012); represented by Christian FREMONT (since September 2008) and Spanish Coprince Archbishop Joan-Enric VIVES i Sicilia (since 12 May 2003); represented by Nemesi MARQUES i Oste (since 30 July 2003) head of government: Executive Council President (or Cap de Govern) Antoni MARTI PETIT (since 12 May 2011) cabinet: Executive Council of seven ministers designated by the Executive Council president (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: Executive Council president elected by the General Council (Andorran Parliament) and formally appointed by the coprinces for a four-year term; election last held on 3 April 2011 (next to be held in April 2015) election results: Antoni MARTI PETIT was elected Executive Council president; percent of General Council vote - NA; note - the leader of the party which wins a majority of seats in the General Council is usually elected president

Flag description

three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red, with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the latter band is slightly wider than the other two so that the ratio of band widths is 8:9:8; the coat of arms features a quartered shield with the emblems of (starting in the upper left and proceeding clockwise): Urgell, Foix, Bearn, and Catalonia; the motto reads VIRTUS UNITA FORTIOR (Strength United is Stronger); the flag combines the blue and red French colors with the red and yellow of Spain to show Franco-Spanish protection note: similar to the flags of Chad and Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in the center, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem

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 Seu d'Urgell, Spain, who are represented in Andorra by the coprinces' representatives

Independence

1278 (formed under the joint sovereignty of the French Count of Foix and the Spanish Bishop of Seu d'Urgel)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

CE, FAO, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, Union Latina, UNWTO, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

higher judicial bodies: Supreme Council of Justice or Consell Superior de la Justicia (coprinces appoint the members); oversees and administers the entire justice system; Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or Tribunal Superior de Justicia d'Andorra (5 members) three lower courts: Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courts or Tribunal de Corts; Constitutional Tribunal or Tribunal Constitucional (coprinces appoint the members) note: all judges elected for a 6-year term renewable term

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil and customary law with canon (religious) law influences

Legislative branch

unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de las Valls (a minimum of 28 and maximum of 42 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 14 from a single national constituency and 14 to represent each of the seven parishes; to serve four-year terms); note - each voter cast two separate ballots - one for the national list, one for the parish list elections: last held on 3 April 2011 (next to be held in April 2015) election results: percent of vote by party - DA 55%, PS 35%, Andorra for Change 7%, Andorran Green 3%; seats by party - DA 20, PS 6, Lauredian Union 2; note - numbers of votes and percentages are for the respective national list; number of seats include seats won by the parish lists

National anthem

name: "El Gran Carlemany" (The Great Charlemagne) lyrics/music: Joan BENLLOCH i VIVO/Enric MARFANY BONS note: adopted 1921; the anthem provides a brief history of Andorra in a first person narrative

National holiday

Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278)

Political parties and leaders

there are four political parties at the national level: Andorra for Change or ApC [Eusebio NOMEN CALVET]; Democrats for Andorra or DA [Antoni MARTI PETIT], coalition including Liberal Party (PRA) and Reformist Coalition; Greens of Andorra [Isabel LOZANO MUNOZ]; Social Democratic Party or PS [Jaume BARTUMEU CASSANY]; note - there are also several smaller parties at the Parish level (one is Lauredian Union)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality, ruled by French and Spanish leaders (from 1607 onward, the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Seu d'Urgell). In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads of state retained, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy. For decades Andorra enjoyed its status as a small refuge of fiscal and banking freedom and benefitted from Spanish and French tourists attracted to the country's duty-free shopping. The situation has changed in recent years as Andorra started to tax foreign investment and other sectors. Tourism accounts for over 80% of Andorra's gross domestic product.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 22,390 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 17,977 females age 16-49: 17,069 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 397 female: 347 (2010 est.)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of France and Spain

Military branches

no regular military forces, Police Service of Andorra (2011)

Age structure

0-14 years: 15.6% (male 6,796/ female 6,482) 15-64 years: 71.1% (male 31,467/ female 28,985) 65 years and over: 13.3% (male 5,686/ female 5,666) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

9.26 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 204

Death rate

6.52 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 148

Education expenditures

3.2% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 122

Ethnic groups

Spanish 43%, Andorran 33%, Portuguese 11%, French 7%, other 6% (1998)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Health expenditures

7.7% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 61

Hospital bed density

2.62 beds/1,000 population (2007)

Infant mortality rate

total: 3.76 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 203 male: 3.74 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

Languages

Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 82.5 years country comparison to the world: 6 male: 80.4 years female: 84.74 years (2012 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100%

Major cities - population

ANDORRA LA VELLA (capital) 25,000 (2009)

Median age

total: 41.2 years male: 41.4 years female: 40.9 years (2012 est.)

Nationality

noun: Andorran(s) adjective: Andorran

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 73

Physicians density

3.716 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population

85,082 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 200

Population growth rate

0.274% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 169

Religions

Roman Catholic (predominant)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 12 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2008)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.36 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 209

Urbanization

urban population: 88% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 1.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Roadways

total: 320 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 203