Country profile: Andorra

Almost hidden on the border between France and Spain, the tiny principality of Andorra is a land of narrow valleys and mountainous landscapes.

The mainstay of the economy is tourism.

Overview

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• Facts
• Leaders
• Media

An estimated 10 million people visit each year, drawn by the winter sports, summer climate and duty-free goods.

Albert Pintat: PM and former foreign minister

The banking sector also enjoys a tax-haven status.

For more than 700 years Andorra has been ruled jointly by the leader of France and the Spanish Bishop of Urgel.

The first Andorran Constitution was passed in 1993, establishing a parliamentary co-principality.

The co-princes remain Andorra's heads of state but the roles are largely honorary.

Facts

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• Facts
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• Full name: The Principality of Andorra
• Population: 82,000 (UN, 2008)
• Capital: Andorra la Vella
• Major languages: Catalan, Spanish, French
• Major religion: Christianity
• Life expectancy: 81 years (men), 87 years (women)
• Monetary unit: 1 euro = 100 cents
• Main exports: Leather goods
• GNI per capita: n/a
• Internet domain: .ad
• International dialling code: +376

Leaders

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Co-heads of state: Joan Enric Vives i Sicilia, Bishop of Urgel, Spain, and Nicolas Sarkozy of France

Prime minister: Albert Pintat

Albert Pintat of the centre-right Liberal Party became prime minister at general elections in April 2005.

Prime Minister Marc Forne Molne

The party lost its absolute majority but won exactly half of the seats in the 28-member parliament. The centre-left Social Democrats have 12. The next elections are expected in March/April 2009.

Mr Pintat had been foreign minister in the government of the former premier, Liberal leader Marc Forne.

Mr Forne lost his seat in the 2005 election but, in any case, was barred by the constitution from standing for a new term as prime minister.

He had led the government since 1994.

Media

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The Andorran media scene has been partly shaped by the country's proximity to France and Spain.

Andorrans have access to broadcasts from both countries, and for many years Andorra was home to Sud Radio, a powerful radio station broadcasting to southwest France.

The constitution provides for freedom of speech and of the press.

The press

• Diari d'Andorra
• El Periodic

Television

• TVA - public, operated by Radio i Televisio d'Andorra

Radio

• Radio Nacional d'Andorra - public, operates Radio Andorra and music station Andorra Musica
• Andorra 7 - commercial
• Radio Valira - commercial
• Andorra 1 - commercial