Overview
Andorra, officially the Principality of Andorra, is a landlocked country located on the Iberian Peninsula in the eastern Pyrenees in southwestern Europe. It is bordered by France to the north and Spain to the south. As the sixth-smallest state in Europe and the largest of the European microstates, Andorra covers an area of 468 square kilometres (181 square miles) with an estimated population of 89,752 as of June 2026.
The capital and largest city is Andorra la Vella, which holds the distinction of being the highest capital city in Europe at an elevation of 1,023 metres (3,356 feet) above sea level. Andorra is the world's 17th-smallest country by land area and 11th-smallest by population.
Government and Politics
Andorra has a unique political structure as a co-principality, currently headed by two co-princes: the Bishop of Urgell in Catalonia, Spain, and the president of France. This arrangement originated from the first paréage signed in 1278, which resolved a military dispute between the bishop of Urgell and the count of Foix by establishing shared sovereignty over the territory.
Andorra is not a member state of the European Union. However, it has been a member of the Council of Europe and of the United Nations since 1993.
Language and Culture
The Andorran people are a Romance group descended from the Catalans. Catalan is the sole official language of the country, though Spanish, Portuguese, and French are also spoken.
Tourism
Tourism plays a significant role in Andorra's economy, with approximately 8 million visitors arriving annually to experience the country's mountain landscapes and attractions.
Etymology
The origin of the word "Andorra" remains unknown, though several hypotheses have been proposed. One theory traces it to the Andosins, an Iberian Pre-Roman tribe described by the Greek historian Polybius, with the name possibly deriving from the Basque word "handia," meaning "big" or "giant." Another theory suggests the name may come from the Basque word "ur," meaning "water," combined with an older form "Anorra."
Alternative theories include a possible Arabic origin from "ad-dārra," referring to a vast land located among mountains or a thickly wooded place, a term that would have been relevant when the Moors held influence over the Iberian Peninsula. A Navarro-Aragonese derivation from "andurrial," meaning "land covered with bushes" or "scrubland," has also been proposed.
History
Early Settlement
Archaeological evidence indicates early human presence in Andorra dating back thousands of years. La Balma de la Margineda, discovered at Sant Julià de Lòria, was settled in 9,500 BCE as a seasonal passing place between the two sides of the Pyrenees used by hunter-gatherers. During the Neolithic period, a group established a permanent camp in the Valley of Madriu around 6640 BCE, growing cereals, raising livestock, and developing trade with neighbouring regions. This valley is now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Iberian and Roman Periods
The inhabitants of the valleys were traditionally associated with the Iberians, specifically the Iberian tribe known as the Andosins or Andosini during the 7th and 2nd centuries BCE. The Greek writer Polybius documented this group during the Punic Wars in the second century BCE. Roman influence in the region is recorded from the 2nd century BCE to the 5th century CE, with evidence of trade in wine and cereals with Roman cities such as present-day La Seu d'Urgell.
Medieval Development
Following the fall of the Roman Empire, Andorra came under Visigothic influence and the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Urgell. Tradition holds that Charlemagne granted a charter to the Andorran people around this time, though documented history begins with the Acta de Consagració i Dotació de la Catedral de la Seu d'Urgell, dated 839, which mentions Andorra's six old parishes.
In 988, Count Borrell II of Urgell transferred the Andorran valleys to the Diocese of Urgell in exchange for land in Cerdanya. From this point forward, the bishop of Urgell became a co-prince of Andorra. The formal co-principality was established through the first paréage in 1278, which resolved disputes between the bishop of Urgell and the count of Foix by establishing shared sovereignty. A second paréage was signed in 1288 following another dispute.
In 1364, the political organisation of Andorra created the figure of the syndic as representative of the Andorrans to their co-princes. The Consell General de les Valls (General Council of the Valleys) was founded in 1419, representing the second oldest parliament in Europe.