Travel Guide to the Principality of Andorra

The

the Principality of Andorra (Catalan: Principat d'Andorra), referred to as "Andorra", which originates from the andurrial of Navarre, meaning shrub-covered land. The international code AD is located in the southeast of the Pyrenees Mountains, a landlocked mountain country between Spain and France, with an average altitude of more than 1100 meters, making it the highest country in Europe. With a total land area of 468 square kilometers, it is one of the four "pocket countries" in Europe with a history of more than 1100 years. It was a small buffer state established by the Charlemagne Empire in the 9th century on the Spanish border to prevent harassment by the Moors. The capital is Andorra La Vella. The official language is Catalan, and the common languages are French and Spanish.

Andorra became a Principality in 1278. According to the provisions of the peace treaty signed between France and Spain, both countries have suzerainty over Andorra. The President of France and the Bishop of Ugel in Spain are both the current heads of state of Andorra. Just as their status is the same as the Queen of England in Canada. Andorra is now elected by universal suffrage. Therefore, Catholicism has had a profound influence in Andorra, so most residents of Andorra believe in Catholicism, and Catholicism has become the largest religion in the Principality of Andorra.

Andorra has a population of 85458 (as of 2015), of which 33% are Andorra and belong to Catalonia; Spanish immigrants account for 23%, followed by Portugal (21%) and French (17%). The main reason for its small population is Andorra's extremely strict household registration system. Only if both parents are Andorra citizens are allowed to be lucky enough to become Andorra citizens. For children whose parents are Spanish or French, or even citizens of other countries, they will not be eligible for Andorra citizenship at birth.

Andorra has no political party or army. It has only nearly 100 police officers. Each administrative region has several traffic police officers depending on traffic conditions. France and Spain are mainly responsible for national defense. Andorra does not even have air or rail transportation, only roads to France and Spain. Andorra also does not have its own currency. Spanish pesetas and French francs are used in the territory. In early 2001, the euro was unilaterally declared one of its currencies. Starting from January 1, 2002, euros will be used as the payment currency.

Andorra currently only has primary and secondary education and no higher education in colleges and universities, but there are three education systems: ① Education in Andorra, accounting for 21.7%, is the responsibility of the Angolan government.② Spanish education accounts for 39.1%, and the Ministry of Education of Spain is responsible for distributing Spanish textbooks.③ French education, accounting for 39.2%, is the responsibility of France, implementing the plan of the Ministry of Education and teaching in French. Therefore, their children, after receiving primary and secondary education in their own country, have to go to foreign countries to receive university education. Most children who study liberal arts and art go to France. And all those studying science and engineering go to Germany. Their passports are mostly common in Europe. Although the country has no universities, 80% of its citizens have higher education.

The traditional costumes of men in Andorra are leather jackets, tights, high boots and berets, with a wide red belt; women's daily clothing is similar to that of neighboring Spanish peasant women, and widows also wear black clothes for life to express their condolences for their dead husband; until the 1970s, mountain people in Andorra all dressed simply. After entering the 21st century, with the development of the tourism economy, the clothing of Andorra residents has gradually modernized.

The people of Andorra are also very particular about diet, and even weekdays lunches and dinners are very rich; Andorra people love to eat pasta, and there are many types of breads. Most of them love to eat cheese. Beef, duck meat, caviar, and foie gras are also favorite foods for Andorra people; however, Andorra people do not eat animal viscera other than liver, scaleless fish and fish with biting bones. Andorra cuisine pays attention to atmosphere and etiquette, and also pays attention to the matching of dishes and wine. Different dishes are paired with different wines.

Every year, Andorra holds many food festivals. In September, there is the Ordino Food Show, the Salted Cod Festival, the Chestnut Festival on Halloween, the escudella (soup made of vegetables, rice, noodles and potatoes) Festival, and the San Antonio Food Market Festival in January; in winter, many celebrations include hot chocolate, coca leaf pie and warm musky wine. There are also Sardines Festival, Ordino Soup Festival, etc. at the Carnival.

On July 1, 1991, Andorra joined the European Customs Union, implemented low taxes and no income tax, and was known as a "tax-free paradise", so its tourism industry is quite developed. There are tourism projects such as competitive skiing, water world fun, hot springs, and rural travel, but shopping is one of its main tourism programs. In particular, you need to go deep into the country trails and see mountains, snow, and mountain villages. Chats with shop assistants who can speak seven languages at an altitude of 2000 meters in the grocery store, and the memories are beautiful. Nowadays, there are about 9 million tourists every year, and it attracts many tourists because of its tax-free status and winter and summer vacation facilities. There are more than 1000 duty-free shops and shopping centers across the country. The capital city of Andorra is the most important shopping city. The famous brand stores, perfume stores, clothing stores, flower shops, and gift shops on the shopping street are one after another.

Because the city of Andorra has been isolated from the world for a long time, it retains more medieval features than other European countries. The architecture is elegant and simple, and the decoration is antique. The Andorra Building, built in 1508, is the most prominent building in the city of Andorra. Parliament, government, courts and museums are all located here.

Saint Estefan Church Saint Estefan Church, commonly known as the "Stone Church of Andorra", is a parish church in the city of Andorra. The buildings are arranged in a north-south direction, and its history dates back to the 11th century. The semicircular apse on the east side is Roman-style, while the rest of the building is more modern.

Valley Stone House Valley Stone House was built in 1580. It was originally the private home of a rich man and was used as the parliament building of Andorra since 1702; downstairs was the only court in Andorra at that time, and upstairs was the parliament hall. A small cabinet with seven keys held important official documents, which could only be opened by representatives of seven parishes.

The Church of St. Coloma is located in the southwest of Andorra. It is the oldest church in Andorra. Its Romanesque architecture is recorded in 9th century documents and has undergone great changes after centuries of wind and rain; the biggest features of the church are the four-story cylindrical bell tower and a 12th century mural called "Agnus Dei". Other murals originally located here are currently preserved in Berlin.

The medieval Church of St. Marti Bell Tower and Street in the Village of Odino in the Andorra Valley is located in the Vall dOrdino Valley northwest of Ordino. This small partially Romanesque building contains several well-preserved 12th century murals and four carefully forged gilded altars; nearby nature explanation centers, flour mills and sawmills can also be visited.

Areni and Prandolite Family Museum & Andorra Postal Museum The Areni and Prandolite families are famous families in Andorra's history. They have lived here since 1633 and were transformed into a museum in the 19th century. The interior layout is very luxurious; The Postal Museum is located in the same place and displays sets of stamps issued by France and Spain specially for Andorra.

The National Automobile Museum is located in the town of Encamp in central Andorra. It displays 80 vintage cars and motorcycles, as well as more than 100 bicycles, ranging from vintage roller bikes to trendy racing cars.

Andorra Tobacco Museum The Andorra Tobacco Museum displays all the instruments, equipment, machines and furniture in the mid-20th century tobacco factory, as well as all "tobacco-related secrets." Each part of the explanation is explained by two commentators, one male and one female, to help people understand the establishment of the first tobacco factory between 1930 and 1940, as well as the history and development of the world's tobacco industry. It displays all the equipment, equipment, machines and furniture in the mid-20th century tobacco factory, as well as all "tobacco-related secrets."

Galades Spa Center is located in Escaldes near the city of Andorra and looks like a futuristic cathedral. Tourists can swim, take Turkish baths, steam saunas, mineral springs or hydromassage here to relieve the fatigue of mountain travel.

Grande Valilla Ski Resort Grande Valilla Ski Resort is the largest ski resort in the Pyrenees. It has 5 ski resorts and a total length of 193 kilometers. Among them, Soldeu's largest ski resort has the size of the Olympic Games. The skiing season generally lasts from December to March, but in May, the top of the Pyrenees in Andorra is still covered with white snow, but the valley is already green. No wonder people jokingly say: You can wear swimsuits to ski in May.