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Andorra:
Geography

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Background
For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality, ruled by French and Spanish leaders (from 1607 onward, the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Urgel). In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads of state retained, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy. Long isolated and impoverished, mountainous Andorra achieved considerable prosperity since World War II through its tourist industry. Many immigrants (legal and illegal) are attracted to the thriving economy with its lack of income taxes.
Location
Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain
Geographic coordinates
42 30 N, 1 30 E
Map references
Europe
Area
total: 468 sq km
land: 468 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative
2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries
total: 120.3 km
border countries: France 56.6 km, Spain 63.7 km
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Climate
temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers
Terrain
rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Riu Runer 840 m
highest point: Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m
Natural resources
hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead
Land use
arable land: 2.13%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 97.87% (2005)
Irrigated land
NA
Natural hazards
avalanches
Environment - current issues
deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil erosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal
Environment - international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note
landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in the Pyrenees


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