Andorra Andorra For the play by Max Frisch see Andorra play.
 Latin Virtue united is stronger ''.
 Population.
 Coordinates Andorra la Vella
 est.
 N E.
 Total.
 water.
 km.
 Negligible.
 Total.
 Density.
 km.
 in summer
 CEST UTC.
The Principality of Andorra Catalan Principat d'Andorra French Principaut d'Andorre Spanish Principado de Andorra is a small landlocked principality in south western Europe located in the eastern Pyrenees mountains and bordered by France and Spain Once isolated it is currently a prosperous country mainly because of tourism and its status as a tax haven Andorra is not to be confused with the Comune di Andora.
 Origin and history of the name.
The name Andorra probably originates from a Navarrese word andurrial which translates as shrub covered land.
 History.
Main article History of Andorra
Tradition holds that Charlemagne granted a charter to the Andorran people in return for their fighting the Moors Overlordship over the territory was passed to the local count of Urgell and eventually to the bishop of the diocese of Urgell In the century a dispute arose between the bishop and his northern French neighbour over Andorra.
In the conflict was resolved by the signing of a parage which provided that Andorra's sovereignty be shared between the French count of Foix whose title would ultimately transfer to the French head of state and the bishop of La Seu d'Urgell in the Catalonia region of Spain This gave the small principality its territory and political form.
Over the years the title passed to the kings of Navarre After Henry of Navarre became King Henry IV of France he issued an edict that established the head of the French state and the Bishop of Urgell as co princes of Andorra.
In the period the French Empire annexed Catalonia and divided it in four departments Andorra was also annexed and made part of the district of Puigcerd d partement of S gre.
In France occupied Andorra as a result of social unrest before elections On July an adventurer named Boris Skossyreff issued a proclamation in Urgel declaring himself Boris I sovereign prince of Andorra simultaneously declaring war on the bishop of Urgel He was arrested by Spanish authorities on July and ultimately expelled from Spain From to a French detachment was garrisoned in Andorra to prevent influences of the Spanish Civil War and Franco's Spain.
In Andorra declared peace with Germany having been forgotten on the Treaty of Versailles and remaining legally at war.
Given its relative isolation Andorra has existed outside the mainstream of European history with few ties to countries other than France and Spain In recent times however its thriving tourist industry along with developments in transportation and communications have removed the country from its isolation and its political system was thoroughly modernized in.
 Politics.
Main articles Politics of Andorra Constitution of Andorra.
Until very recently Andorra's political system had no clear division of powers into executive legislative and judicial branches Ratified and approved in the constitution establishes Andorra as a sovereign parliamentary democracy that retains the co princes as heads of state but the head of government retains executive power The two co princes serve coequally with limited powers that do not include veto over government acts They are represented in Andorra by a delegate.
View of the Pas de la Casa
The way in which the two princes are chosen makes Andorra one of the most politically distinct nations on earth One co Prince is the man or woman who is currently serving as President of France currently Jacques Chirac it has historically been any Head of State of France including Kings and Emperors of France The other is the current Catholic bishop of the Spanish city of La Seu d'Urgell currently Joan Enric Vives i Sicilia As neither prince lives in Andorra their role is almost entirely ceremonial.