The Principality of Andorra is a tiny state in the Pyrenees, sandwiched between France and Spain. It has an ancient history, but for a long time the principality was very closed politically. Nowadays Andorra is a very popular tourist destination. Puts nobody deceives the modest size of this country – there is something to see.
De jure the state language of Andorra is Catalan, but de facto this role is performed by three languages at once – Catalan, Spanish and French.
In the primary schools of Andorra, teaching is also conducted in one of these three languages, depending on the school.
The national currency of Andorra is the euro.
Diplomatic relations between the Principality of Andorra and Russia were established relatively recently, in 1995.
Until 1993, Andorra paid a symbolic tribute to the French president and the Bishop of Uruguay.
The capital of Andorra, the city of Andorra la Vella – the highest mountain in Europe. This city is located at an altitude of more than a thousand meters above sea level.
On the territory of Andorra, there are more than seventy-five different kinds of ants.
Annually, 8-9 million tourists come to Andorra. For comparison, the population of this country is about 80 thousand people.
And Andorra is only about 200 kilometers of asphalt roads.
The standard of living in the Principality of Andorra is one of the highest in Europe.
Another interesting fact – in Andorra has never had its own currency, not counting collectible coins.
Services almost in Andorra are free.
In size Andorra is comparable with the principality of Liechtenstein, another dwarf state.
Andorra has no army of its own.
Lawyers and their activities are prohibited in Andorra.
There are no prisons in Andorra. In addition, this country is considered one of the safest in the world.
In 1934, the Soviet emigre Boris Skosyrev declared himself King Andorra, but was soon arrested and deported from the country.
When the First World War began, Andorra officially declared war on Germany. But local authorities forgot about this, and thus, officially, Andorra was at war with Germany until 1957, when, four decades later, the Andorran people finally realized.
The Andorran national football team played for the first time on the field in 1996.
In the Andorran town of Escaldes-Engordany there is a museum of Russian matryoshkas.
The first mention of the principality of Andorra dates from the beginning of the 9th century.
Once, Andorra was not accepted into the Versailles Union for a rather unusual reason – this country was simply forgotten.
