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 (2012)

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 (2012)

Telephones - main lines in use

39,000 (2012) country comparison to the world: 170

Telephones - mobile cellular

65,000 (2012) country comparison to the world: 198

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $403 million expenditures: $470 million (2011)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.4% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 71

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. Since 2010, 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 approved in July 2012 a new foreign investment law opening investment to foreign capital.

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.76 (2012 est.) 0.78 (2011 est.) 0.76 (2010 est.) 0.72 (2009 est.) 0.68 (2008 est.)

Exports

$70 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 $72 million (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

tobacco products, furniture

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$4.8 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.163 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 $3.214 billion (2011 est.) $3.227 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 14% industry: 79% services: 6% (2011 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$37,200 (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 $37,700 (2010 est.) $37,900 (2009 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

-1.6% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 203 -0.4% (2011 est.) -1.9% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$1.43 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 $1.501 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

consumer goods, food, electricity

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

tourism (particularly skiing), banking, tobacco, cattle raising, timber, furniture

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.1% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 -2.5% (2011 est.)

Labor force

36,060 (2012) 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)

Taxes and other revenues

8.4% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 210

Unemployment rate

2.9% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 1.9% (2011 est.)

Electricity - consumption

562.4 million kWh (2012) country comparison to the world: 167

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2011) country comparison to the world: 156

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2011) country comparison to the world: 155

Electricity - production

91.24 million kWh (2011) country comparison to the world: 200

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: 5.32% permanent crops: 0% other: 94.68% (2011)

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

drafted 1991, approved by referendum 14 March 1993, effective 28 April 1993 (2013)

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, currently Ambassador James COSTOS, 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 (since 2 November 2009) 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: Head of Government (or Cap de Govern) Antoni MARTI PETIT (since 12 May 2011) cabinet: Executive Council of nine ministers designated by the Head of Government (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: Head of Government 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 Head of Government; percent of General Council vote - 79%; note - the leader of the party which wins a majority of seats in the General Council is usually elected Head of Government

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'Urgell)

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

highest court(s): Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or Tribunal Superior de la Justicia d'Andorra (consists of the court president and 8 judges organized into civil, criminal, and administrative chambers); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional (consists of 4 magistrates) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court president and judges appointed by the Supreme Council of Justice, a 5-member judicial policy and administrative body appointed 1 each by the Coprinces, 1 by the General Council, 1 by the executive council president, and 1 by the courts; judges serve 6-year renewable terms; Constitutional magistrates appointed 2 by the Coprinces and 2 by the General Council; magistrates' appointments limited to two consecutive 8-year terms subordinate courts: Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courts or Tribunal de Corts

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 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 casts 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%, VA 3%; seats by party - DA 22, PS 6; 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 or VA [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

The landlocked Principality of Andorra is one of the smallest states in Europe, nestled high in the Pyrenees Mountains between the French and Spanish borders. 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. In the late 20th century, Andorra became a popular tourist destination. An estimated 10 million people visit each year drawn by the winter sports, summer climate, and duty free goods. Andorra has also become a wealthy international commercial center because of its banking facilities, low taxes, and lack of customs duties. However, recent economic hardships have required Andorra to start taxing foreign investments and to implement stricter economic policies. Andorra is not a member of the European Union, but enjoys a special relationship with it and uses the Euro as its national currency.

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: 15.5% (male 6,779/female 6,471) 15-24 years: 9.1% (male 4,021/female 3,702) 25-54 years: 49.5% (male 21,744/female 20,492) 55-64 years: 12.1% (male 5,566/female 4,755) 65 years and over: 13.8% (male 5,918/female 5,845) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

8.88 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 212

Death rate

6.67 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 146

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)

Education expenditures

2.9% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 143

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

7.2% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 82

Hospital bed density

2.5 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

total: 3.73 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 204 male: 3.71 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

Languages

Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 82.58 years country comparison to the world: 6 male: 80.46 years female: 84.83 years (2013 est.)

Literacy

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

Major urban areas - population

ANDORRA LA VELLA (capital) 23,000 (2011)

Median age

total: 41.8 years male: 42 years female: 41.5 years (2013 est.)

Nationality

noun: Andorran(s) adjective: Andorran

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 109

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

25.2% (2008) country comparison to the world: 58

Physicians density

3.91 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

85,293 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 201

Population growth rate

0.22% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 177

Religions

Roman Catholic (predominant)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

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

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.18 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.37 children born/woman (2013 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