Andorra:
Geography

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Other pages in this profile of Andorra:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.


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

Andorra: Geography

Andorra:
Geography