Fun Facts About Andorra

Andorra has the largest skiable area in Southern Europe.

Andorra is a small country located in Southwestern Europe and is bordered by France and Spain. The country is officially known as the Principality of Andorra and is governed through a co-principality framework where the Bishop of Urgell and the President of France act as its co-princes. Here are some facts few people know about the small nation.

Fun Facts about Andorra

Established in 1419, the Andorran Parliament, known as the Consell General, is the oldest in the world.
Nature occupies 90% of the country’s land area, as only 4% of Andorra is used for human habitation.
One can easily cross the entire country by foot through following the Gran Recorrido Pais trail.
Andorra has the largest skiable area in Southern Europe with over 180 miles of snow-laden slopes.
The high life expectancy in Andorra of 81 years ranks fifth in the world.
Coma Pedrosa is the highest peak in Andorra, rising 9,652 feet above sea level.
Andorra has the highest concentration of museums in the world with 20 museums within its 180-square-mile area.
Andorra le Vella is the capital city of Andorra and is also the country’s largest city.
Andorra le Vella is the highest capital city in Europe with an altitude of 3,356 feet.
Andorra was established as a Principality in 1278.
Most Andorran citizens are trilingual and can communicate in Catalan, Spanish, and French.
About 10% of the country’s land area has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Andorra is a key tourist destination attracting over 10 million tourists each year.
Tourism is the country’s biggest GDP contributor, accounting for 80% of Andorra’s GDP.
Andorra’s relaxed tax laws make it a tax haven attracting many foreign companies.
The unemployment rate in Andorra is one of the lowest in the world with the rate being at only 0.35% as of December 2016.
Despite its small size, Andorra has the ninth largest GDP per capita in the world.
Andorra is one of the few countries in the world with neither an official military nor a ministry of defense.
However, the country does have a ceremonial army made up of 12 male volunteers.
The primary role of the ceremonial army is the presentation of the Andorran flag during ceremonies.
The responsibility of Andorra’s defense lies with Spain and France.
The eldest non-disabled adult man from each household in Andorra is required by law to carry a firearm.
The country is landlocked and hence has no navy.
Despite not having a military, Andorra was passively involved in World War I when it declared war on Germany.
Andorra remained as the longest combatant in World War I, as it officially ended its conflict with Germany in 1958.
Andorra was not included during the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, which officially ended World War I.
Andorra maintained neutrality during World War II.
The country has a small, well-equipped police force made up of 240 officers.
Andorra has existed in relative isolation throughout its history and only modernized its political system in 1993.
While Andorra is not an official member state of the European Union, the country uses the euro as its official currency.
Christianity is the most popular religion in Andorra, with 88.2% of its population identifying as Roman Catholic.
Education is a mandatory requirement in Andorra with the government funding education from kindergarten until the secondary level.
Andorra has only one university, which is the state-funded Universitat d’Andorra.
Andorra is rated among one of the safest nations in the world with almost no records of car theft, pickpocketing, and disorderly behavior incidents.