Andorra

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tax haven. It also attracts increasing numbers of visitors (13million in 1984) as a duty-free area under its customs union with France. Stock-farming, once Andorra's principal source of revenue, now takes second place to tourism. Other contributions are made to the country's economy by its two radio stations, the export of electricity to France and the sale of Andorran stamps to collectors.

Some 12,000 of the inhabitants of Andorra are Catalans, around 27,000 come from Spain, 3,000 from France and a few from Portugal. The language of Andorra is Catalan, but most Andorrans also speak French and/or Spanish. There is no independent Andorran currency, and both French francs and Spanish pesetas are in circulation.

Archeological finds in Andorra show that the high valleys were inhabited in the Bronze and Iron Ages. Legend has it that Andorra was founded by Charlemagne. It is first mentioned in a document of 839 recording the consecration of the cathedral in the Spanish town of Seo de Urgel (Catalan La Seu d'Urgell) as belonging to the county of Urgell. In 1133 the territory came into the hands of the bishop of Urgell, who granted it as a fief to the Caboet family. When Andorra passed by marriage to the Counts of Foix this gave rise to a dispute over sovereignty with the bishop of Urgell, which was eventually settled by an agreement (pareatge) signed in 1278 and a further agreement 10 years later. Under these agreements, which remain in force to the present day, Andorra is under the joint protection of the Count of Foix and the Bishop of Urgell as representatives of the Pope. It is thus, legally, still a medieval feudal state, though in practice sovereign. In 1419 the Andorrans were granted the right to establish a council (the Consell de la Terra) to deliberate on their own affairs, and this still operates under the name of Consell General. Universal suffrage was introduced only in 1970.

The original six communes (valleys) of the principality were increased in 1978 to seven - Canillo, Encamp, Ordino, La Massana, Andorra la Vella, Sant Julia de Lòria and Escaldes-Engordany. Each commune elects four representatives (Consellers General) to the Consell General. Under a constitutional and administrative reform in 1981 the Consell General was given the right to elect the head of government (President of the Executive Council), who forms a government of between four and six members and in many fields also acts as head of state.

The real heads of state are the "co-princes", the President of the French Republic as successor to the Counts of Foix and the bishop of Seo de Urgel. On March 14 1993 a new constitution was approved by referendum and the sovereignty of Andorra passed from the hands of the co-princes to the people. The country became a state in its own right and has equal powers derived from the constitution. Andorrans have their political rights recognized and also claim civil, laboral and social rights. The Andorrans pay no taxes and have no army, but men between 16 and 60 are under a duty to provide themselves with weapons. Andorran sovereignty is not recognized by the United Nations, and its external interests are looked after by France. Andorra has a postal agreement with Spain and trade agreements with both Spain and France.

Andorra offers endless scope for hill walkers. For anglers there are the mountain streams and lakes, with an abundance of trout. Popular winter sports resorts are Pas de la Casa-Grau Roig, Soldeu-El Tarter, Arinsal, Pal and Arcalís.