the-country-of-andorra
Without a doubt, Andorra is one of the most fascinating and unique countries in world. Officially a microstate, at the same time as being a principality, Andorra has several special and distinct features. Here, in this guide to the country of Andorra, we’ll break down several of the most important facts about Andorra.
Andorra language
Let’s begin with the Andorra language. The answer to the question of ‘What language do they speak in Andorra?’ is Catalan. In fact, Andorra is the only country in the world where Catalan is the one official language. That said, if you’re planning an Andorra holiday and don’t speak Catalan then don’t worry, as a large section of the Andorra population is bilingual. Castilian Spanish, Portuguese, French and English are all widely spoken in the region too.
Andorra capital
Andorra La Vella is the name of the capital of Andorra and is also the microstate’s biggest city. The translation of the capital of Andorra in English is “Andorra the Town”, which makes sense since it is very much the main town in the country, as it’s the only town with a population above 15,000.
Andorra flag
You’ll see the Andorra flag proudly on display all around the country. As for how the Andorra flag looks, it is a tricolour flag of, from left to right, blue, yellow, and red. It also features the coat of arms of Andorra in the middle. It is believed that the current Andorra flag was adopted in 1866.
Andorra population
How many people live in Andorra? Well, the current population of Andorra is estimated to be 77,500. That makes it one of the smallest nations in all of Europe, with only Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City having smaller populations.
Andorra currency
Even though Andorra is not a member of the European Union, the Andorra currency is the Euro. The microstate has a good relationship with and does a lot of business with the neighbouring countries of France and Spain, so it made sense to use the same currency. As such, the Euro has been the official Andorra currency since 2002. Then, in 2011, Andorra reached a monetary agreement with the EU, which meant Andorra could issue its own Andorran Euros starting in 2014.
Andorra altitude
Andorra is located in the heart of the Pyrenees Mountain Range, so it is a very mountainous region and one with a very high altitude. Even the very lowest altitude in Andorra is some 840 metres above sea level, while the tallest altitude Andorra reaches is at Coma Pedrosa, which is 2,942 metres.
Andorra map
In terms of the Andorra map, the country is divided into seven parishes. These are Canillo, Encamp, Escaldes-Engordany, La Massana, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria and Andorra la Vella, the parish including and surrounding the Andorra capital.
Andorra gastronomy
If you pay a visit to the principality, you’ll surely be wowed by the Andorra gastronomy. The region has several famous dishes, from wintery stews to chargrilled snails. That’s before mentioning the delicious desserts, such as the Crema Andorrana, which is similar to Crème Brûlée.
Is it expensive to live in Andorra?
In terms of the cost of living in Andorra and the cost of visiting, it is relatively cheap compared to most other European countries, due to the various low tax rates. If visiting, the overall cost will depend on which exact activities you select from the list of what to do in Andorra, while living in Andorra can be reasonable, although you’ll need an Andorra visa if you stay for more than three months.