General Information

General Information for travelers going to Andorra
  • Area: 468 square km, 468 square miles.
  • Language(s): Catalan, Spanish, French
  • Capital City: Andorra la Vella
  • Local Time: From 28 Mar 04 to 31 Oct 04 GMT +2, From 31 Oct 04 to 27 Mar 05 GMT +1
  • Currency: Euro (EUR 1 = 100 Cents)
  • Notes: EUR: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500
  • Coins: EUR: 1, 2. Cents: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50
  • Dialing Code: 376
  • Electricity: 240V (lighting 125V) AC 50Hz

  • Population:

    • A small country
    Andorra has a population of 72,320 (Source: Study Service of the Ministry of Finance. Data from 2003).

    The population is concentrated in the two big towns of Andorra la Vella and Escaldes?Engordany, which are, with Pas de la Casa, the main centres of trade and business in the country. Other centres of secondary importance in numbers of inhabitants are Encamp and Sant Julià de Lòria, which are centres of population but much less commercial than the capital and its surroundings.

    A young and varied population

    The average age of the population is 36 years and the high rate of immigration since the second half of the 20th century is the cause of the varied origin of Andorran society, in which only 38% have Andorran nationality. In Andorra, then, we find a very unusual situation in matters of nationality: the largest population group in Andorra is of foreign nationality, Spanish, representing 39% of the total population. People with Portuguese nationality come in third place (10%), overtaking those of French origin (6.4%) some years ago, and finally there is a varied group of over 17 different nationalities.

    Since the approval in 1995 of a law less restrictive over access to Andorran nationality, the percentage of Andorran nationals is showing a tendency to recovery.

    Catalan is the official language and the only one used in administrative and official affairs. In the street, however, Spanish is widely spoken, followed by French and Portuguese.

Geographical location

The Andorran parishes
The lands of the Principality of Andorra are organised in seven administrative and territorial divisions known as "parishes":Canillo, Encamp,Andorra la Vella,Ordino,la Massana, Sant Julià de Lòria iEscaldes-Engordany. The parishes are managed by the communes. Read more about Andorra parishes.

Area and contours

The total area of the country is 468 km2. The highest point is the peak of Coma Pedrosa at 2,942 m, and the lowest point is the frontier post with Catalonia, at 838 m. Andorra has the mountainous and abrupt relief typical of high mountain areas.

A privileged climate

The climate is high mountain type with Mediterranean influences, winter temperatures are low and in summer they are mild, with large variations taking place according to altitude and orientation. Andorra enjoys a high percentage of sunny days and the climate is dry. The average annual minimum is -2ºC and the average maximum is 24ºC. Autumn is the season with the highest rainfall; while in winter there are abundant snowfalls.

Rivers, brooks and lakes

Andorra possesses three main rivers and many tributaries. The North Valira and the East Valira come together at Escaldes to form the Valira. Along these river courses, in the form of a Y, are the most important centres of the country.

Lakes in Andorra are many and very varied, but they share a Quaternary origin. They are small and basically rounded in shape and most are found in the East Valira basin, while some are in the North Valira basin.

The largest lake is the Juclar, which covers 29 ha. Other well-known lakes are those of Tristaina, the Pessons, the Illa, Gargantillar, the Estanyó and Cabana Sorda, among many others.

Varied vegetation

Andorran vegetation is abundant and varied: in the sunnier parts and lower areas, the Mediterranean influence is dominant.

At higher altitudes we find vegetation typical of mountain areas: pine woods of Scots pine, oaks, birches, rhododendrons, hazelnuts, firs, etc. There are also pastures, fields of corn and other crops. The flower that most symbolises Andorra is found in this zone, the poet's narcissus or pheasant’s eye.

In the subalpine zone are large woods of black pine and fir, and highest of all in the alpine zone are alpine meadows, thickets and screes.

Richness in fauna

One of the best-known species of the Pyrenees, the chamois, is the animal most representative of Andorra. It lives in the highest mountain areas, together with the ptarmigan, moles, martens and many birds of prey.

Lower down in the woods, we find squirrels, hares, wild boar, woodpeckers and capercaillie. Finally, the lowest areas provide the habitat for foxes, hoopoes, partridges, robins and dippers, among many others. And this without mentioning the river fauna of Andorra, where the trout is one of the leading figures.

If you are lovers of shooting and fishing, do not hesitate to ask what you need to practise these sports in Andorra.