Andorra

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Andorra
Andorra.gif
Flag of Andorra
Capital Andorra la Vella
Inhabitants 83.888
Language(s) Catalan
Andorra.jpg

Long isolated and impoverished, mountainous Andorra has 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.

Until the 1950s, Andorra's population hovered around 6000. Today, only about a quarter of the population - almost two-thirds of whom live in Andorra la Vella and its suburbs - are Andorran nationals. The rest are mainly Spanish, French and Portuguese.

Contents

History

3000 B.C. during the Neolithic period

Small groups of people were living in caves near the Valira river such as the Balma Margineda. Other groups installed themselves in caves at Cim de Pal, Roc de Llunsν, La Massana and Arinsal.

The Andosini in the 1st century B.C.

It is precisely in the first century B.C. in the account given by the Greek historian Polybius of the passage across the Ebro of the Carthaginian general Hannibal that we find the first historical reference to the future Andorrans, then going by the name of Andosini.

839 A.D. The first six Andorran parishes

The Arabs had razed the Urgell arca and destroyed the Cathedral at Seu d’Urgell a few years previously. A new cathedral, dedicated to Our Lady was being erected and the six parishes of the "Valley of Andorra i.e. Lςria , Andorra with Santa Coloma, La Massana, Ordino, Encamp and Canillo, with all their churches and possessions great and small" were included in the diocese.

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11th and 12th centuries. Romanesque art flourishes.

The Lombard romanesque style of architecture had spread through Andorra leaving such jewels in its wake as the church of Sant Romΰ de les Bons. The oldest known writings in Catalan were found in this church.

On 8 September 1278 at Lleida ...

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This is the date when the institution of the co-principality took concrete form with the "pariatge" (agreement) signed between the Bishop of Urgell and the Count of Foix. Although the "pariatge" recognized the supremacy of the Church of Urgell, it also represented a considerable enlargement in the authority of the Counts of Foix in Andorra and the country gradually became an undivided dominion with equality of powers and attributes shared by two co-lords.


On 11 February 1419 at Seu d'Urgell ...

The Council of the Land was set up. This consisted of designated individuals whose function was to represent the people of Andorra and look out for their interests. With the Council of the Land, Andorrans became aware of the concept of nationhood, and for the first time, over and above the parrochial or municipal authority, they now had a superior authority covering the whole territory. In this way, Andorra entered the modern age.

16th, 17th and 18th centuries: Andorra discovers a vocation for neutrality and independence

During the 16th and 17th centuries Andorra obtained a collection of privileges, both legal and commercial in nature, from the co-princes (episcopal and French) and also from the Spanish monarchy. At the beginning of the 18th century Andorra managed to stay neutral in the War of the Spanish Succession which so affected Catalonia.

1789, the French Revolution

The French Revolution placed Andorra between two powers - France and Spain - which were hostile to each other and in continuous conflict. Napoleon I signed a decree reestablishing the offices of French Veguer and Batlle, the "qόθstia" and the customs exemptions conceded years before by Louis XV.

22 April 1866, the New Reform

The Council of the Land is the origin of the present Andorran parliament, the General Council. This was set up in 1866, the year of the New Reform, which modernized the electoral system and began a democratizing process in Andorra.

20th century

1933 was a year of social and political tension. The criminal court, Tribunal de Corts, dissolved the General Council and the permanent delegates of the co-princes called elections and granted the right of vote to all Andorran men over 25.

Andorrans recognised in the 1970’s that political restructuration was necessary and this was carried out in 1982, when the first executive government of Andorra took office.

With the Constitution passed by referendum on 14 March 1993 Andorra became a democratic and social constitutional state in the form of a parliamentary co-principality. This new status opened the doors to a consolidation by Andorra of its presence on the international scene.

So in July 1993, Andorra entered the United Nations as a full member and thereafter joined other international bodies such as the Council of Europe, UNESCO, WHO and ECSO. Similarly Andorra has already established diplomatic relations with 72 countries and has 13 accredited diplomatic representations with various countries and organizations.


Culture

Language

The official language is Catalan (Catala), a Romance language most closely related to Provencal but with roots in Castilian and French. Local lore has it that everyone in Andorra speaks Catalan, Spanish and French, but there are plenty of people who can't understand more than 10 words of French. Hardly anyone speaks English.

Food

Andorran cuisine is mainly Catalan, with strong French and Italian influences. Sauces are typically served with meat and fish. Pasta is also common. Local dishes include cunillo (rabbit cooked in tomato sauce), xai (roast lamb), trinxat (bacon, potatoes and cabbage) and escudella (a stew of chicken, sausage and meatballs).


Events

National holidays

  • Jan 1: New Year's Day
  • Jan 6: Epiphany
  • Mar 14: Constitution Day
  • May 1: Labour Day
  • Jun 24: St John's Day
  • Aug 15: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
  • Sep 8: National Day - Mare de Deu de Meritxell
  • Nov 1: All Saints Day
  • Nov 4: St Charles' Day
  • Dec 8: Immaculate Conception
  • Dec 24: Christmas Eve
  • Dec 25: Christmas Day
  • Dec 26: 2nd Day of Christmas
  • Dec 31: New Year's Eve

Embassies

  • Embassy of France in Andorra La Vella, Andorra -- 38/40 Carrer-les-Canals BP 155 Tel: 820 809, 820 239, 820 556 Fax: 860 132. Embassy of France in Andorra
  • Honorary Consulate of Germany in Andorra La Vella, Andorra -- C./Dr. Vilanova, 9-3° B - Edif. Thaïs, Andorra la Vella. Telefon: (00376) 86 28 60 Fax: (00376) 80 43 21
  • General Consulate of Spain in Andorra -- General Consulate of Spain in Andorra

 

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