Andorra Overview

The tiny Principality of Andorra nestles in the eastern Pyrenees in a terrain of a clutch of mountains, meandering rivers and valleys. The nation may be small but it is big on probably the best skiing in the Pyrenees.

Andorra is an ancient nation, created by Charlemagne who captured it from the Muslims in 803 AD. He used it as a buffer zone to keep the Muslim Moors from advancing into Christian France. Later in the century, Charlemagne's grandson, Charles the Bald appointed the Count of Urgell as overlord over Andorra. The Urgell family then handed the land to the diocese of Urgell under the watch of Bishop of Seu d'Urgell.

In the 11th century the bishop placed himself under the protection of the Spanish Nobleman, Lord of Caboet because he feared military attack from neighbouring Lords. However, the Count of Foix, a French noble, married into the family and became heir to the Lord Caboet. This resulted in a dispute between the French Count and the Spanish bishop over who would control Andorra.

Finally in 1278 as a result of the Paretages (the Acts of Joint Overlordship) years of tusselling between the counts and bishops of Urgell for control of the surrounding valleys came to an end when the Spanish bishop of La Seu d'Urgell and the French House of Foix compromised with co-sovereignty.

This power-sharing over this tiny dot of a country finally came to an end in 1993 when Andorra finally became an independent state with its own constitution.

Today, this charmingly located country offers a pleasant climate, winters that provide plenty of snow for superb skiing and a duty-free environment that offers really good value for money.

With its long Spanish/French tug-of-war history, indiginous Andorrans are in the minority and its cuisine has a heavy Catalonia influence.

The Capital Andorra La Vella, a tiny yet lively city seemingly growing out of a gorge in the valley, has a surpringly good night life of bars, restaurants and clubs for off-piste entertainment.

6 September 2008