Andorra la Vella

42.5075 1.5225 1011Coordinates: 42 ° 30 ' N , 1 ° 31' E

Andorra la Vella

Parròquia in Andorra

coat of arms

Location in Andorra

Basic data

Residents :

23,214 (December 31, 2019)

Area :

12 km²

Population density :

1,935 inhabitants / km²

Height :

1,011 m

Website:

www.comuandorra.ad

View from the north over Andorra la Vella

Andorra la Vella [ ənˈdorə lə βeʎə ] ( Catalan for "Old Andorra"; Spanish Andorra la Vieja , French Andorre-la-Vieille ) is the capital and with 23,214 (as of December 31, 2019) inhabitants, it is also the largest city of Andorra . It is the highest capital in Europe .

geography

Andorra la Vella is located in the southwest of the state of Andorra in the eastern Pyrenees at the confluence of the two mountain streams Valira d'Ordino (also Valira del Nord ) and Valira d'Encamp (also Valira d'Orient ) to the river Valira . Located at an altitude of 1,013 meters, it is a popular ski area.

climate

The climate is temperate , with cold winters and warm, dry summers. Temperatures fluctuate from an average of −1 ° C in January to 20 ° C in July with precipitation values of around 808 mm.

history

The exact founding date of the city is unknown; but it is certain that it was founded in pre-Christian times, probably by the Andosines . Since 1287, when Andorra was created through the amalgamation of French and Catalan sovereignty in this area, Andorra la Vella was in fact the capital of the new state, as it was granted special rights over the other Andorran localities. Some streets and buildings in the old town date from this time. The most remarkable building is the " Casa de la Vall ", built in the 16th century, since 1702 the House of Parliament. Andorra la Vella was the center of an isolated feudal state during this period.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Andorra was ignored and was not part of the Versailles Treaty . After political turmoil and a coup attempt by King Boris I , a loose democracy slowly developed.

Andorra has had its own constitution since 1993 . This stipulates that the seat of government is in Andorra la Vella, which also officially became the capital. Meanwhile, Andorra la Vella developed into a tax haven, whereupon a modern banking system could be established. Furthermore, winter tourism developed.

population

Casa de la Vall

Sant Esteve Church

Native Andorrans make up only about 33% of the population. The majority of the population is Spanish (43%). Notable minorities are Portuguese (11%) and French (7%). The official language is Catalan , but Spanish , Portuguese and French are also spoken. Most of the residents are Catholics. Life expectancy is over 80 years.

Population development
year	1865	1947	1965	1981	1985	1988	1995	2000	2005	2007	2013
Residents	1,100	1,975	8,833	14,783	17,201	19,566	21,984	20,845	23,587	24,574	22,546

Attractions

Andorra la Vella has some gems of medieval architecture:

The Casa de la Vall from the early 16th century is an excellent building for its historical importance. It has been the seat of the General Council of Andorra's Valleys since 1707, i.e. the seat of government and also the courthouse.
Santa Coloma is a 9th century church.
The Sant Esteve church dates back to the 11th century.
Margineda Bridge
Sant Vicenç d'Enclar Castle

Economy and Infrastructure

Andorra la Vella is the hub of the economic network and the industrial center of the country. In general, 80% of GDP is taken from the 15 million visitors annually. The city is also a banking center. Although Andorra is not a member of the EU , the euro is the official currency.

The nearest airports Toulouse , Perpignan , Girona and Barcelona each take about three hours by car, because the road network is not very dense due to the small population and the high mountainous terrain. In Andorra there is no rail transport , but a small local bus network that also connects Andorra la Vella with other countries.

Sports

Andorra la Vella was a stage destination of the Tour of Spain cycling race from 1998 to 2001 and 2008 and a stage start or destination of the Tour de France in 1964, 1993, 1997 and 2009. In 2015, the 11th stage of the Tour of Spain started in Andorra la Vella and led exclusively through Andorra .

The Estadi Comunal d'Andorra la Vella is Andorra's sports stadium. The football clubs UE Santa Coloma , CE Principat , FC Santa Coloma and FC Rànger’s from Andorra la Vella play or have played in the highest Andorran league, the Primera Divisió . BC Andorra basketball club plays in the Spanish LEB .