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Spain vs. Andorra

Introduction

SpainAndorra
Background

Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political power. Spain remained neutral in World War I and II, but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). A peaceful transition to democracy following the death of dictator Francisco FRANCO in 1975, and rapid economic modernization (Spain joined the EU in 1986) gave Spain a dynamic and rapidly growing economy, and made it a global champion of freedom and human rights. More recently, Spain has emerged from a severe economic recession that began in mid-2008, posting four straight years of GDP growth above the EU average. Unemployment has fallen, but remains high, especially among youth. Spain is the Eurozone's fourth largest economy. The country has faced increased domestic turmoil in recent years due to the independence movement in its restive Catalonia region.

The landlocked Principality of Andorra is one of the smallest states in Europe, nestled high in the Pyrenees between the French and Spanish borders. For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique coprincipality, ruled by French and Spanish leaders (from 1607 onward, the French chief of state and the Bishop of Urgell). In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the introduction of a modern constitution; the co-princes remained as titular heads of state, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy.

Andorra has become a popular tourist destination visited by approximately 8 million people each year drawn by the winter sports, summer climate, and duty-free shopping. Andorra has also become a wealthy international commercial center because of its mature banking sector and low taxes. As part of its effort to modernize its economy, Andorra has opened to foreign investment, and engaged in other reforms, such as advancing tax initiatives aimed at supporting a broader infrastructure. Although not a member of the EU, Andorra enjoys a special relationship with the bloc that is governed by various customs and cooperation agreements and uses the euro as its national currency.

Geography

SpainAndorra
LocationSouthwestern Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, Bay of Biscay, and Pyrenees Mountains; southwest of FranceSouthwestern Europe, Pyrenees mountains, on the border between France and Spain
Geographic coordinates40 00 N, 4 00 W42 30 N, 1 30 E
Map referencesEuropeEurope
Areatotal: 505,370 sq km

land: 498,980 sq km

water: 6,390 sq km

note: there are two autonomous cities - Ceuta and Melilla - and 17 autonomous communities including Balearic Islands and Canary Islands, and three small Spanish possessions off the coast of Morocco - Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera
total: 468 sq km

land: 468 sq km

water: 0 sq km
Area - comparativealmost five times the size of Kentucky; slightly more than twice the size of Oregon2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundariestotal: 1,952.7 km

border countries (5): Andorra 63 km, France 646 km, Gibraltar 1.2 km, Portugal 1224 km, Morocco (Ceuta) 8 km and Morocco (Melilla) 10.5 km

note: an additional 75-meter border segment exists between Morocco and the Spanish exclave of Penon de Velez de la Gomera
total: 118 km

border countries (2): France 55 km, Spain 63 km
Coastline4,964 km0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claimsterritorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm (applies only to the Atlantic Ocean)
none (landlocked)
Climatetemperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coasttemperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers
Terrainlarge, flat to dissected plateau surrounded by rugged hills; Pyrenees Mountains in northrugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys
Elevation extremeshighest point: Pico de Teide (Tenerife) on Canary Islands 3,718 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 660 m
highest point: Pic de Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m

lowest point: Riu Runer 840 m

mean elevation: 1,996 m
Natural resourcescoal, lignite, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, uranium, tungsten, mercury, pyrites, magnesite, fluorspar, gypsum, sepiolite, kaolin, potash, hydropower, arable landhydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead
Land useagricultural land: 54.1% (2018 est.)

arable land: 24.9% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 9.1% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 20.1% (2018 est.)

forest: 36.8% (2018 est.)

other: 9.1% (2018 est.)
agricultural land: 40% (2018 est.)

arable land: 1.7% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 38.3% (2018 est.)

forest: 34% (2018 est.)

other: 26% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land38,000 sq km (2012)0 sq km (2012)
Natural hazards

periodic droughts, occasional flooding

volcanism: volcanic activity in the Canary Islands, located off Africa's northwest coast; Teide (3,715 m) has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; La Palma (2,426 m), which last erupted in 1971, is the most active of the Canary Islands volcanoes; Lanzarote is the only other historically active volcano

avalanches
Environment - current issuespollution of the Mediterranean Sea from raw sewage and effluents from the offshore production of oil and gas; water quality and quantity nationwide; air pollution; deforestation; desertificationdeforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil erosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal
Environment - international agreementsparty to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - notestrategic location along approaches to Strait of Gibraltar; Spain controls a number of territories in northern Morocco including the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, and the islands of Penon de Velez de la Gomera, Penon de Alhucemas, and Islas Chafarinas; Spain's Canary Islands are one of four North Atlantic archipelagos that make up Macaronesia; the others are Azores (Portugal), Madeira (Portugal), and Cabo Verdelandlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in the Pyrenees
Total renewable water resources111.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)315.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Population distributionwith the notable exception of Madrid, Sevilla, and Zaragoza, the largest urban agglomerations are found along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts; numerous smaller cities are spread throughout the interior reflecting Spain's agrarian heritage; very dense settlement around the capital of Madrid, as well as the port city of Barcelonapopulation is unevenly distributed and is concentrated in the seven urbanized valleys that make up the country's parishes (political administrative divisions)

Demographics

SpainAndorra
Population47,260,584 (July 2021 est.)85,645 (July 2021 est.)
Age structure0-14 years: 15.02% (male 3,861,522/female 3,650,085)

15-24 years: 9.9% (male 2,557,504/female 2,392,498)

25-54 years: 43.61% (male 11,134,006/female 10,675,873)

55-64 years: 12.99% (male 3,177,080/female 3,319,823)

65 years and over: 18.49% (male 3,970,417/female 5,276,984) (2020 est.)
0-14 years: 13.37% (male 5,901/female 5,551)

15-24 years: 10.16% (male 4,474/female 4,227)

25-54 years: 43.19% (male 18,857/female 18,131)

55-64 years: 15.91% (male 7,184/female 6,443)

65 years and over: 17.36% (male 7,544/female 7,323) (2020 est.)
Median agetotal: 43.9 years

male: 42.7 years

female: 45.1 years (2020 est.)
total: 46.2 years

male: 46.3 years

female: 46.1 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate-0.03% (2021 est.)-0.1% (2021 est.)
Birth rate8.05 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)6.91 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Death rate9.78 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)7.86 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Net migration rate1.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sex ratioat birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 1.12 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female

total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Infant mortality ratetotal: 3.14 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 3.51 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 2.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
total: 3.5 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 3.59 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Life expectancy at birthtotal population: 82.21 years

male: 79.22 years

female: 85.39 years (2021 est.)
total population: 83.23 years

male: 80.99 years

female: 85.6 years (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate1.51 children born/woman (2021 est.)1.44 children born/woman (2021 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate0.4% (2020 est.)NA
Nationalitynoun: Spaniard(s)

adjective: Spanish
noun: Andorran(s)

adjective: Andorran
Ethnic groupsSpanish 84.8%, Moroccan 1.7%, Romanian 1.2%, other 12.3% (2021 est.)

note: data represent population by country of birth
Andorran 48.7%, Spanish 24.6%, Portuguese 11.6%, French 4.4%, other 10.6% (2020 est.)

note: data represent population by nationality
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS150,000 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children
NA
ReligionsRoman Catholic 58.2%, atheist 16.2%, agnostic 10.8%, other 2.7%, non-believer 10.5%, unspecified 1.7% (2021 est.)Roman Catholic (predominant)
HIV/AIDS - deaths<1,000 (2020)

note: estimate does not include children
NA
LanguagesCastilian Spanish (official nationwide) 74%, Catalan (official in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and the Valencian Community (where it is known as Valencian)) 17%, Galician (official in Galicia) 7%, Basque (official in the Basque Country and in the Basque-speaking area of Navarre) 2%, Aranese (official in the northwest corner of Catalonia (Vall d'Aran) along with Catalan, <5,000 speakers); note - Aragonese, Aranese Asturian, Basque, Calo, Catalan, Galician, and Valencian are recognized as regional languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages

major-language sample(s):
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese
Literacydefinition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.4%

male: 98.9%

female: 98% (2018)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 100%

male: 100%

female: 100% (2016)
Education expenditures4.2% of GDP (2017)3.2% of GDP (2019)
Urbanizationurban population: 81.1% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 0.24% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

note: data include Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla
urban population: 87.9% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 0.11% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Drinking water sourceimproved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2017 est.)
Sanitation facility accessimproved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2017 est.)
Major cities - population6.669 million MADRID (capital), 5.624 million Barcelona, 835,000 Valencia (2021)23,000 ANDORRA LA VELLA (capital) (2018)
Health expenditures9% (2018)6.7% (2018)
Physicians density3.87 physicians/1,000 population (2017)3.33 physicians/1,000 population (2015)
Hospital bed density3 beds/1,000 population (2017)2.5 beds/1,000 population (2009)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate23.8% (2016)25.6% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth31.1 years (201 est.)32.8 years (2019)

Government

SpainAndorra
Country nameconventional long form: Kingdom of Spain

conventional short form: Spain

local long form: Reino de Espana

local short form: Espana

etymology: derivation of the name "Espana" is uncertain, but may come from the Phoenician term "span," related to the word "spy," meaning "to forge metals," so, "i-spn-ya" would mean "place where metals are forged"; the ancient Phoenicians long exploited the Iberian Peninsula for its mineral wealth
conventional long form: Principality of Andorra

conventional short form: Andorra

local long form: Principat d'Andorra

local short form: Andorra

etymology: the origin of the country's name is obscure; the name may derive from the Arabic "ad-darra" meaning "the forest," a reference to its location as part of the Spanish March (defensive buffer zone) against the invading Moors in the 8th century
Government typeparliamentary constitutional monarchyparliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains its chiefs of state in the form of a co-principality; the two princes are the President of France and Bishop of Seu d'Urgell, Spain
Capitalname: Madrid

geographic coordinates: 40 24 N, 3 41 W

time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

note: Spain has two time zones, including the Canary Islands (UTC 0)

etymology: the Romans named the original settlement "Matrice" after the river that ran through it; under Arab rule it became "Majerit," meaning "source of water"; in medieval Romance dialects (Mozarabic) it became "Matrit," which over time changed to "Madrid"
name: Andorra la Vella

geographic coordinates: 42 30 N, 1 31 E

time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

etymology: translates as "Andorra the Old" in Catalan
Administrative divisions17 autonomous communities (comunidades autonomas, singular - comunidad autonoma) and 2 autonomous cities* (ciudades autonomas, singular - ciudad autonoma); Andalucia; Aragon; Asturias; Canarias (Canary Islands); Cantabria; Castilla-La Mancha; Castilla-Leon; Cataluna (Castilian), Catalunya (Catalan), Catalonha (Aranese) [Catalonia]; Ceuta*; Comunidad Valenciana (Castilian), Comunitat Valenciana (Valencian) [Valencian Community]; Extremadura; Galicia; Illes Baleares (Balearic Islands); La Rioja; Madrid; Melilla*; Murcia; Navarra (Castilian), Nafarroa (Basque) [Navarre]; Pais Vasco (Castilian), Euskadi (Basque) [Basque Country]

note: the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla plus three small islands of Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera, administered directly by the Spanish central government, are all along the coast of Morocco and are collectively referred to as Places of Sovereignty (Plazas de Soberania)
7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, Escaldes-Engordany, La Massana, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria
Independence1492; the Iberian peninsula was characterized by a variety of independent kingdoms prior to the Muslim occupation that began in the early 8th century A.D. and lasted nearly seven centuries; the small Christian redoubts of the north began the reconquest almost immediately, culminating in the seizure of Granada in 1492; this event completed the unification of several kingdoms and is traditionally considered the forging of present-day Spain1278 (formed under the joint sovereignty of the French Count of Foix and the Spanish Bishop of Urgell)
National holidayNational Day (Hispanic Day), 12 October (1492); note - commemorates the arrival of COLUMBUS in the AmericasOur Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278)
Constitutionhistory: previous 1812; latest approved by the General Courts 31 October 1978, passed by referendum 6 December 1978, signed by the king 27 December 1978, effective 29 December 1978

amendments: proposed by the government, by the General Courts (the Congress or the Senate), or by the self-governing communities submitted through the government; passage requires three-fifths majority vote by both houses and passage by referendum if requested by one tenth of the members of either house; proposals disapproved by both houses are submitted to a joint committee, which submits an agreed upon text for another vote; passage requires two-thirds majority vote in Congress and simple majority vote in the Senate; amended 1992, 2011
history: drafted 1991, approved by referendum 14 March 1993, effective 28 April 1993

amendments: proposed by the coprinces jointly or by the General Council; passage requires at least a two-thirds majority vote by the General Council, ratification in a referendum, and sanctioning by the coprinces
Legal systemcivil law system with regional variationsmixed legal system of civil and customary law with the influence of canon (religious) law
Suffrage18 years of age; universal18 years of age; universal
Executive branchchief of state: King FELIPE VI (since 19 June 2014); Heir Apparent Princess LEONOR, Princess of Asturias (daughter of the monarch, born 31 October 2005)

head of government: President of the Government (Prime Minister-equivalent) Pedro SANCHEZ Perez-Castejon (since 2 June 2018); Vice President (and Minister of the President's Office) Maria del Carmen CALVO Poyato (since 7 June 2018)

cabinet: Council of Ministers designated by the president 

elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the monarch usually proposes as president the leader of the party or coalition with the largest majority of seats, who is then indirectly elected by the Congress of Deputies; election last held on 10 November 2019 (next to be held November 2023); vice president and Council of Ministers appointed by the president

election results: percent of National Assembly vote - NA

note: there is also a Council of State that is the supreme consultative organ of the government, but its recommendations are non-binding
chief of state: Co-prince Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017); represented by Patrick STROZDA (since 14 May 2017); and Co-prince Archbishop Joan-Enric VIVES i Sicilia (since 12 May 2003); represented by Josep Maria MAURI (since 20 July 2012)

head of government: Head of Government (or Cap de Govern) Xaviar Espot ZAMORA (since 16 May 2019)

cabinet: Executive Council of 12 ministers designated by the head of government

elections/appointments: head of government indirectly elected by the General Council (Andorran parliament), formally appointed by the coprinces for a 4-year term; election last held on 7 April 2019 (next to be held in April 2023); the leader of the majority party in the General Council is usually elected head of government

election results: Xaviar Espot ZAMORA (DA) elected head of government; percent of General Council vote - 60.7%
Legislative branchdescription: bicameral General Courts or Las Cortes Generales consists of:
Senate or Senado (266 seats; 208 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 58 members indirectly elected by the legislatures of the autonomous communities; members serve 4-year terms)
Congress of Deputies or Congreso de los Diputados (350 seats; 348 members directly elected in 50 multi-seat constituencies by closed-list proportional representation vote, with a 3% threshold needed to gain a seat, and 2 directly elected from the North African Ceuta and Melilla enclaves by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms or until the government is dissolved)

elections:
Senate - last held on 10 November 2019 (next to be held no later than November 2023)
Congress of Deputies - last held on 10 November 2019 (next to be held no later than November 2023)

election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PSOE 113, PP 97, ERC 15, EAJ/PNV 10, C's 9, other 22; composition - men 163, women 103; percent of women 39%
Congress of Deputies - percent of vote by party - PSOE 28.7%, PP 20.8%,Vox 15.1%, Unidos Podemos 12.8%, C's 6.8%, ERC 3.6%, other 12.8%; seats by party - PSOE 120, PP 88, Vox 52,  Unidos Podemos 35, C's 10, ERC 13, other 23; composition - men 184, women 166; percent of women 47.4%; note - total  General Courts percent of women 43.7%
description: unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de les Valls (a minimum of 28 seats; 14 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies (parishes) by simple majority vote and 14 directly elected in a single national constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms); note - voters cast two separate ballots - one for a national list and one for a parish list

elections: last held on 7 April 2019 (next to be held on April 2023)

election results: percent of vote by party - DA 35.1%, PS 30.6%, L'A 12.5%, Third Way/Lauredian Union 10.4%, other 22.4%; seats by party - DA 11, PS 7, L'A 4, Third Way/Lauredian Union 4, other 2; composition - men 14, women 14, percent of women 50%
Judicial branchhighest courts: Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo (consists of the court president and organized into the Civil Room, with a president and 9 judges; the Penal Room, with a president and 14 judges; the Administrative Room, with a president and 32 judges; the Social Room, with a president and 12 judges; and the Military Room, with a president and 7 judges); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional de Espana (consists of 12 judges)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the monarch from candidates proposed by the General Council of the Judiciary Power, a 20-member governing board chaired by the monarch that includes presidential appointees, lawyers, and jurists confirmed by the National Assembly; judges can serve until age 70; Constitutional Court judges nominated by the National Assembly, executive branch, and the General Council of the Judiciary, and appointed by the monarch for 9-year terms

subordinate courts: National High Court; High Courts of Justice (in each of the autonomous communities); provincial courts; courts of first instance
highest courts: Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or Tribunal Superior de la Justicia d'Andorra (consists of the court president and 8 judges organized into civil, criminal, and administrative chambers); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional (consists of 4 magistrates)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court president and judges appointed by the Supreme Council of Justice, a 5-member judicial policy and administrative body appointed 1 each by the coprinces, 1 by the General Council, 1 by the executive council president, and 1 by the courts; judges serve 6-year renewable terms; Constitutional magistrates - 2 appointed by the coprinces and 2 by the General Council; magistrates' appointments limited to 2 consecutive 8-year terms

subordinate courts: Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courts or Tribunal de Corts
Political parties and leadersAsturias Forum or FAC [Carmen MORIYON]
Basque Country Unite (Euskal Herria Bildu) or EH Bildu (coalition of 4 Basque pro-independence parties)
Basque Nationalist Party or PNV or EAJ [Andoni ORTUZAR]
Canarian Coalition or CC [Ana ORAMAS] (coalition of 5 parties)
Junts per Catalunia or JxCat  [Carles PUIDGEMONT]
Ciudadanos Party or C's [Albert RIVERA]
Compromis - Communist Coalition [Joan BALDOVI]
New Canary or NCa [Pedro QUEVEDOS]
Unidas Podemos [Pablo IGLESIAS Turrion] (formerly Podemos IU; electoral coalition formed for May 2016 election)
People's Party or PP [Pablo CASADO]
Republican Left of Catalonia or ERC [Oriol JUNQUERAS i Vies]
Spanish Socialist Workers Party or PSOE [Pedro SANCHEZ]
JxCat-Junts Together for Catalonia [Jordi SANCHEZ]
Union of People of Navarra or UPN [Javier ESPARZA]
Navarra Suma (electoral Coaltion formed by Navarrese People's Union (UPN), Ciudadanos (C's), and the Popular Partty (PP) ahead of the 2019 election)
Vox or Vox [Santiago ABASCAL]
Democrats for Andorra or DA [Xaviar ESPOT ZAMORA]
Social Democratic Party or PS [Vicenc ALFY FERRER]
Liberals of Andorra or L'A [Jordi GALLARDO FERNANDEZ]
Third Way/Lauredian Union [Josep PINTAT FORNE]
Social Democracy and Progress or SDP [Victor NAUDI ZAMORA]
United for the Progress of Andorra or UPA [Alfons CLAVERA ARIZTI]

note: Andorra has several smaller parties at the parish level (one is Lauredian Union)
International organization participationADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, CAN (observer), CBSS (observer), CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZCCE, FAO, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, Union Latina, UNWTO, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the USchief of mission: Ambassador Santiago CABANAS Ansorena (since 17 September 2018)

chancery: 2375 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037

telephone: [1] (202) 452-0100

FAX: [1] (202) 833-5670

email address and website:
emb.washington@maec.es

http://www.exteriores.gob.es/embajadas/washington/en/pages/inicio2.aspx

consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)
chief of mission: Ambassador Elisenda VIVES BALMANA (since 2 March 2016)

chancery: 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017

telephone: [1] (212) 750-8064; [1] (212) 750-8065

FAX: [1] (212) 750-6630

email address and website:
contact@andorraun.org
Diplomatic representation from the USchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Conrad TRIBBLE (since 20 January 2021) note - also accredited to Andorra

embassy: Calle de Serrano, 75, 28006 Madrid

mailing address: 8500 Madrid Place, Washington DC  20521-8500

telephone: [34] (91) 587-2200

FAX: [34] (91) 587-2303

email address and website:
askACS@state.gov

https://es.usembassy.gov/

consulate(s) general: Barcelona
embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Andorra; the US ambassador to Spain is accredited to Andorra; US interests in Andorra are represented by the US Consulate General's office in Barcelona (Spain); mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Espana; telephone: [34] (93) 280-22-27; FAX: [34] (93) 280-61-75; email address: Barcelonaacs@state.gov
Flag descriptionthree horizontal bands of red (top), yellow (double width), and red with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band; the coat of arms is quartered to display the emblems of the traditional kingdoms of Spain (clockwise from upper left, Castile, Leon, Navarre, and Aragon) while Granada is represented by the stylized pomegranate at the bottom of the shield; the arms are framed by two columns representing the Pillars of Hercules, which are the two promontories (Gibraltar and Ceuta) on either side of the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar; the red scroll across the two columns bears the imperial motto of "Plus Ultra" (further beyond) referring to Spanish lands beyond Europe; the triband arrangement with the center stripe twice the width of the outer dates to the 18th century

note: the red and yellow colors are related to those of the oldest Spanish kingdoms: Aragon, Castile, Leon, and Navarre
three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red, with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the latter band is slightly wider than the other 2 so that the ratio of band widths is 8:9:8; the coat of arms features a quartered shield with the emblems of (starting in the upper left and proceeding clockwise): Urgell, Foix, Bearn, and Catalonia; the motto reads VIRTUS UNITA FORTIOR (Strength United is Stronger); the flag combines the blue and red French colors with the red and yellow of Spain to show Franco-Spanish protection

note: similar to the flags of Chad and Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in the center, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem
National anthemname: "Himno Nacional Espanol" (National Anthem of Spain)

lyrics/music: no lyrics/unknown

note: officially in use between 1770 and 1931, restored in 1939; the Spanish anthem is the first anthem to be officially adopted, but it has no lyrics; in the years prior to 1931 it became known as "Marcha Real" (The Royal March); it first appeared in a 1761 military bugle call book and was replaced by "Himno de Riego" in the years between 1931 and 1939; the long version of the anthem is used for the king, while the short version is used for the prince, prime minister, and occasions such as sporting events
name: "El Gran Carlemany" (The Great Charlemagne)

lyrics/music: Joan BENLLOCH i VIVO/Enric MARFANY BONS

note: adopted 1921; the anthem provides a brief history of Andorra in a first person narrative
International law organization participationaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdictionhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
National symbol(s)Pillars of Hercules; national colors: red, yellowred cow (breed unspecified); national colors: blue, yellow, red
Citizenshipcitizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Spain

dual citizenship recognized: only with select Latin American countries

residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years for persons with no ties to Spain
citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: the mother must be an Andorran citizen or the father must have been born in Andorra and both parents maintain permanent residence in Andorra

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 25 years

Economy

SpainAndorra
Economy - overview

After a prolonged recession that began in 2008 in the wake of the global financial crisis, Spain marked the fourth full year of positive economic growth in 2017, with economic activity surpassing its pre-crisis peak, largely because of increased private consumption. The financial crisis of 2008 broke 16 consecutive years of economic growth for Spain, leading to an economic contraction that lasted until late 2013. In that year, the government successfully shored up its struggling banking sector - heavily exposed to the collapse of Spain's real estate boom - with the help of an EU-funded restructuring and recapitalization program.

Until 2014, contraction in bank lending, fiscal austerity, and high unemployment constrained domestic consumption and investment. The unemployment rate rose from a low of about 8% in 2007 to more than 26% in 2013, but labor reforms prompted a modest reduction to 16.4% in 2017. High unemployment strained Spain's public finances, as spending on social benefits increased while tax revenues fell. Spain's budget deficit peaked at 11.4% of GDP in 2010, but Spain gradually reduced the deficit to about 3.3% of GDP in 2017. Public debt has increased substantially - from 60.1% of GDP in 2010 to nearly 96.7% in 2017.

Strong export growth helped bring Spain's current account into surplus in 2013 for the first time since 1986 and sustain Spain's economic growth. Increasing labor productivity and an internal devaluation resulting from moderating labor costs and lower inflation have improved Spain's export competitiveness and generated foreign investor interest in the economy, restoring FDI flows.

In 2017, the Spanish Government's minority status constrained its ability to implement controversial labor, pension, health care, tax, and education reforms. The European Commission expects the government to meet its 2017 budget deficit target and anticipates that expected economic growth in 2018 will help the government meet its deficit target. Spain's borrowing costs are dramatically lower since their peak in mid-2012, and increased economic activity has generated a modest level of inflation, at 2% in 2017.

Andorra has a developed economy and a free market, with per capita income above the European average and above the level of its neighbors, Spain and France. The country has developed a sophisticated infrastructure including a one-of-a-kind micro-fiber-optic network for the entire country. Tourism, retail sales, and finance comprise more than three-quarters of GDP. Duty-free shopping for some products and the country's summer and winter resorts attract millions of visitors annually. Andorra uses the euro and is effectively subject to the monetary policy of the European Central Bank. Andorra's comparative advantage as a tax haven eroded when the borders of neighboring France and Spain opened and the government eased bank secrecy laws under pressure from the EU and OECD.

Agricultural production is limited - only about 5% of the land is arable - and most food has to be imported, making the economy vulnerable to changes in fuel and food prices. The principal livestock is sheep. Manufacturing output and exports consist mainly of perfumes and cosmetic products, products of the printing industry, electrical machinery and equipment, clothing, tobacco products, and furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs) and as a non-EU member for agricultural products.

To provide incentives for growth and diversification in the economy, the Andorran government began sweeping economic reforms in 2006. The Parliament approved three laws to complement the first phase of economic openness: on companies (October 2007), on business accounting (December 2007), and on foreign investment (April 2008 and June 2012). From 2011 to 2015, the Parliament also approved direct taxes in the form of taxes on corporations, on individual incomes of residents and non-residents, and on capital gains, savings, and economic activities. These regulations aim to establish a transparent, modern, and internationally comparable regulatory framework, in order to attract foreign investment and businesses that offer higher value added.

GDP (purchasing power parity)$1,925,576,000,000 (2019 est.)

$1,888,743,000,000 (2018 est.)

$1,843,934,000,000 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
$3.327 billion (2015 est.)

$3.363 billion (2014 est.)

$3.273 billion (2013 est.)

note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - real growth rate1.95% (2019 est.)

2.43% (2018 est.)

2.97% (2017 est.)
-1.1% (2015 est.)

1.4% (2014 est.)

-0.1% (2013 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)$40,903 (2019 est.)

$40,360 (2018 est.)

$39,575 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
$49,900 (2015 est.)

$51,300 (2014 est.)

$50,300 (2013 est.)
GDP - composition by sectoragriculture: 2.6% (2017 est.)

industry: 23.2% (2017 est.)

services: 74.2% (2017 est.)
agriculture: 11.9% (2015 est.)

industry: 33.6% (2015 est.)

services: 54.5% (2015 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage sharelowest 10%: 2.5%

highest 10%: 24% (2011)
lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices)0.7% (2019 est.)

1.6% (2018 est.)

1.9% (2017 est.)
-0.9% (2015 est.)

-0.1% (2014 est.)
Labor force19.057 million (2020 est.)39,750 (2016)
Labor force - by occupationagriculture: 4.2%

industry: 24%

services: 71.7% (2009)
agriculture: 0.5%

industry: 4.4%

services: 95.1% (2015)
Unemployment rate14.13% (2019 est.)

15.25% (2018 est.)
3.7% (2016 est.)

4.1% (2015 est.)
Budgetrevenues: 498.1 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 539 billion (2017 est.)
revenues: 1.872 billion (2016)

expenditures: 2.06 billion (2016)
Industriestextiles and apparel (including footwear), food and beverages, metals and metal manufactures, chemicals, shipbuilding, automobiles, machine tools, tourism, clay and refractory products, footwear, pharmaceuticals, medical equipmenttourism (particularly skiing), banking, timber, furniture
Industrial production growth rate4% (2017 est.)NA
Agriculture - productsbarley, milk, wheat, olives, grapes, tomatoes, pork, maize, oranges, sugar beetsmall quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables, tobacco; sheep, cattle
Exports$533.771 billion (2019 est.)

$521.855 billion (2018 est.)

$510.327 billion (2017 est.)
$78.71 million (2015 est.)

$79.57 million (2014 est.)
Exports - commoditiescars and vehicle parts, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, delivery trucks, clothing and apparel (2019)integrated circuits, medical supplies, essential oils, cars, tanned hides (2019)
Exports - partnersFrance 15%, Germany 11%, Portugal 8%, Italy 8%, United Kingdom 7%, United States 5% (2019)Spain 40%, France 19%, United States 11%, Mauritania 5% (2019)
Imports$463.145 billion (2019 est.)

$459.742 billion (2018 est.)

$441.197 billion (2017 est.)
$1.257 billion (2015 est.)

$1.264 billion (2014 est.)
Imports - commoditiescrude petroleum, cars and vehicle parts, packaged medicines, natural gas, refined petroleum (2019)cars, refined petroleum, perfumes, shaving products, liquors (2019)
Imports - partnersGermany 13%, France 11%, China 8%, Italy 7% (2019)Spain 71%, France 17% (2019)
Debt - external$2,338,853,000,000 (2019 est.)

$2,366,534,000,000 (2018 est.)
$0 (2016)
Exchange rateseuros (EUR) per US dollar -

0.82771 (2020 est.)

0.90338 (2019 est.)

0.87789 (2018 est.)

0.7525 (2014 est.)

0.7634 (2013 est.)
euros (EUR) per US dollar -

0.885 (2017 est.)

0.903 (2016 est.)

0.9214 (2015 est.)

0.885 (2014 est.)

0.7634 (2013 est.)
Fiscal yearcalendar yearcalendar year
Public debt98.4% of GDP (2017 est.)

99% of GDP (2016 est.)
41% of GDP (2014 est.)

41.4% of GDP (2013 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)$1,393,351,000,000 (2019 est.)$2.712 billion (2016 est.)
Credit ratingsFitch rating: A- (2018)

Moody's rating: Baa1 (2018)

Standard & Poors rating: A (2019)
Fitch rating: BBB+ (2018)

Standard & Poors rating: BBB (2017)
Taxes and other revenues37.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)69% (of GDP) (2016)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)-3.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)-6.9% (of GDP) (2016)

Energy

SpainAndorra
Electricity - production258.6 billion kWh (2016 est.)99.48 million kWh (2015 est.)
Electricity - consumption239.5 billion kWh (2016 est.)221.6 million kWh (2015 est.)
Electricity - exports14.18 billion kWh (2016 est.)6,000 kWh (2015 est.)
Electricity - imports21.85 billion kWh (2016 est.)471.3 million kWh (2015 est.)
Oil - production1,700 bbl/day (2018 est.)0 bbl/day (2016)
Oil - imports1.325 million bbl/day (2017 est.)0 bbl/day (2016) (2016)
Oil - exports0 bbl/day (2017 est.)0 bbl/day (2016) (2016)
Oil - proved reserves150 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)0 bbl (2016) (2016)
Natural gas - proved reserves2.548 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)0 cu m (2016)
Natural gas - production36.81 million cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2016) (2016)
Natural gas - consumption31.27 billion cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2016) (2016)
Natural gas - exports2.888 billion cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2016) (2016)
Natural gas - imports34.63 billion cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2016) (2016)
Electricity - installed generating capacity105.9 million kW (2016 est.)520,000 kW (2010 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels47% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)61% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants14% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)23% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels7% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)0% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources32% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)15% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production1.361 million bbl/day (2017 est.)0 bbl/day (2016)
Electricity accesselectrification - total population: 100% (2020)electrification - total population: 100% (2020)

Telecommunications

SpainAndorra
Telephones - main lines in usetotal subscriptions: 19,639,778

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 41.54 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 39,657

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 46.23 (2019 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellulartotal subscriptions: 55,354,944

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 117.09 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 87,909

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 102.48 (2019 est.)
Internet country code.es.ad
Internet userstotal: 42,478,990

percent of population: 86.11% (July 2018 est.)
total: 78,483

percent of population: 91.57% (July 2018 est.)
Telecommunication systemsgeneral assessment:

well-developed and one of the largest telecom markets in Europe, with average mobile penetration for Europe; regulator has championed competition; LTE is nearly universal with shifts of service to 5G; operator joined government smart cities project; fixed-line broadband is backed by investment in fiber infrastructure; fiber broadband accounts for most of all fixed-line broadband connections; Chinese company Huawei contributes investment to the telecom sector; increased connectivity through submarine cable connection to Brazil; importer of broadcasting equipment from Europe (2021)

(2020)

domestic: fixed-line 42 per 100 and mobile-cellular 118 telephones per 100 persons (2019)

international: country code - 34; landing points for the MAREA, Tata TGN-Western Europe, Pencan-9, SAT-3/WASC, Canalink, Atlantis-2, Columbus -111, Estepona-Tetouan, FEA, Balalink, ORVAL and PENBAL-5 submarine cables providing connectivity to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America, Asia, Southeast Asia and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to adjacent countries (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

general assessment: modern automatic telephone system; broadband Internet and LTE mobile lines for both consumer and enterprise customers available (2019)

domestic: 51 per 100 fixed-line, 113 per 100 mobile-cellular (2019)

international: country code - 376; landline circuits to France and Spain; modern system with microwave radio relay connections between exchanges (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Broadband - fixed subscriptionstotal: 15,616,585

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 33.03 (2019 est.)
total: 36,358

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42.38 (2019 est.)
Broadcast media

a mixture of both publicly operated and privately owned TV and radio stations; overall, hundreds of TV channels are available including national, regional, local, public, and international channels; satellite and cable TV systems available; multiple national radio networks, a large number of regional radio networks, and a larger number of local radio stations; overall, hundreds of radio stations 

(2019)

1 public TV station and 2 public radio stations; about 10 commercial radio stations; good reception of radio and TV broadcasts from stations in France and Spain; upgraded to terrestrial digital TV broadcasting in 2007; roughly 25 international TV channels available (2019)

Transportation

SpainAndorra
Roadwaystotal: 683,175 km (2011)

paved: 683,175 km (includes 16,205 km of expressways) (2011)
total: 320 km (2019)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefixECC3

Military

SpainAndorra
Military branchesSpanish Armed Forces: Army (Ejercito de Tierra), Spanish Navy (Armada Espanola, AE, includes Marine Corps), Spanish Air Force (Ejercito del Aire Espanola, EdA); Civil Guard (Guardia Civil) (2021)

note: the Civil Guard is a military force with police duties (including coast guard) under both the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of the Interior; it also responds to the needs of the Ministry of Finance
no regular military forces; Police Corps of Andorra (2021)
Military - noteSpain joined NATO in 1982, but refrained from participating in the integrated military structure until 1996defense is the responsibility of France and Spain

Transnational Issues

SpainAndorra
Disputes - international

in 2002, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to reject any "shared sovereignty" arrangement; the Government of Gibraltar insists on equal participation in talks between the UK and Spain; Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant Gibraltar greater autonomy; after voters in the UK chose to leave the EU in a June 2016 referendum, Spain again proposed shared sovereignty of Gibraltar; UK officials rejected Spain's joint sovereignty proposal; Morocco protests Spain's control over the coastal enclaves of Ceuta, Melilla, and the islands of Penon de Velez de la Gomera, Penon de Alhucemas, and Islas Chafarinas, and surrounding waters; both countries claim Isla Perejil (Leila Island); Morocco serves as the primary launching site of illegal migration into Spain from North Africa; Portugal does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over the territory of Olivenza based on a difference of interpretation of the 1815 Congress of Vienna and the 1801 Treaty of Badajoz

none

Environment

SpainAndorra
Air pollutantsparticulate matter emissions: 9.48 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 244 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 36.94 megatons (2020 est.)
particulate matter emissions: 9.95 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 0.47 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 0.05 megatons (2020 est.)
Revenue from forest resourcesforest revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recyclingmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 20.151 million tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 3,393,428 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 16.8% (2015 est.)
municipal solid waste generated annually: 43,000 tons (2012 est.)

Source: CIA Factbook