General Information
Area
467.76 sq km (180.6 sq miles).
Population
67,159 (official estimate 2002).
Population Density
143.6 per sq km.
Capital
Andorra la Vella. Population: 20,724 (2002).
Geography
Andorra is situated in the eastern Pyrenees, bordered by France to the north and east and Spain to the south and west. It is roughly halfway between Barcelona and Toulouse. The landscape consists of gorges and narrow valleys surrounded by mountains. Much of the landscape is forested, but there are several areas of rich pastureland in the valleys. There are four rivers and several mountain lakes. Ski resorts and the spa town of Les Escaldes are Andorra’s main attractions.
Government
Principality under the suzerainty of the President of France and the Spanish Bishop of Urgel. Heads of State: Co-Princes Joan Enric Vives i Sicilia (Bishop of la Seu d’Urgell) since 2003 and Jacques Chirac (President of France) since 1994. Head of Government: Marc Forn Molne since 1994.
Language
The official language is Catalan. Spanish and French are also spoken.
Religion
Roman Catholic.
Time
GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).
Electricity
Sockets: 240 volts AC, 50Hz. Lighting: 125 volts AC.
Communications
Telephone
Telephone: Full IDD is available. Country code: 376. Outgoing international code: 0.
Mobile telephone
GSM 900 network covers practically the whole country. Main operator is STA (website: www.sta.ad).
Internet
ISPs include Andorra Online (website: www.andorraonline.ad). Internet cafes are readily available.
Post
Internal mail services are free; international mail takes about one week within Europe. A poste restante service is available in Andorra la Vella. Post office hours: 0900-1300 and 1500-1700 in Andorra la Vella, otherwise variable.
Press
Andorra has two daily newspapers, the Diari d’Andorra, and El Periodic D’Andorra and one weekly publication, the Poble Andorra.
Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.
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