The principality of Andorra owns the highest and biggest ski resort in the Pyrenees, divided into three areas. Grandvalira and Vallnord share 174 slopes, throughout 282 km in a surface of 468 km², that garantee snow cover all season long thanks to 1357 snow canons.
Over 630 multilingual instructors, among our numerous professionals, await you in our resorts. Beyond alpin ski, you will enjoy cross-country skiing along Naturlandia 15-km resort and many more snow and mountain activities.
A treaty signed between the Bishop of Urgell
and The Count of Foix in the 13th century gave birth to the
Co-Principality. In the 16th century, the Count's rights were
transfered to the French Crown.
The present Parliament (legislative power), called Consell
General, stems from the creation, in 1419 of the « Consell
de la Terra ».
In 1866, a democratic process launched the Nova Reforma in
order to modernize the electoral system.
The Consell General granted universal suffrage
to men in 1933. The right to vote was granted to women in
1970.
In 1978, the six traditional parishes that made up the territory
became seven. Each parish (administrative and territorial
divisions) is run by a Comuns (town council) : Andorra la
Vella, Canillo, Encamp, Escaldes-Engordany, La Massana, Ordino
and Sant Julià de Lória.
The Consell Executiu (government) was constituted
in 1981.Presided by the Head of Government and several ministers,
it's mission is to apply the State's politics. When the Constitution
was approved through a referendum on March 14th 1993, Andorra
became a fully democratic and social State.
Thus, Andorra has been able to join international
institutions such as : The UNO in july 1993, The Council of
Europe in november 1994, UNESCO, UNICEF, OSCE, The Organisation
for Security and Cooperation in Europe, The World Tourist
Organisation, and the Red Cross (NGO)…
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coat of arms of andorra
Here is some information about the Andorran Coat of Arms.
The colors of the national flag are blue, yellow and red.
On the yellow appears a Coat of Arms divided by a cross into
four quarters.
The upper right left quarter represents a
golden mitre and crozier on a red background.
The upper right quarter represents the three red bars of the
Catalonian flag, on a yellow background.
The lower left quarter represents the four red bars from the
flag of the County of Foix, on a yellow background.
Finally, in the lower right quarter, we find two Bearn cows
with blue collars, horns and bells, on a yellow background.
At the bottom of the shield is the motto:
" Virtus Unita Fortior " (Strength through Unity).
the Andorran hymn
You will find hereafter two translations: The original version
in Catalan,the official language, and its French translation.
The Andorran hymn was created by Doctor Benlloch,
Prince-Bishop of the Principality.
The Reverend Father Marfany born in Sant Julia de Loria composed
the music. This Hymn was performed for the first time on the
8th september 1921 in the National Sanctuary of the Principality.
It was our lady of Meritxell´s day ( National Day).
Original version
El gran Carlemany, mon pare,
dels alarbs ens deslliurà,
i del cel vida em donà,
de Meritxell la gran mare.
Princesa nasquí pubilla
entre dos nacions, neutral;
sols resto l'única filla
de l'imperi Carlemany.
Creient i lliure onze segles,
creient i lliure vull ser.
Siguem els furs mos tutors
i mos prínceps defensors,
i mos prínceps defensors !
English translation
The great Charlemagne, my father,
liberated me from the Saracens,
And from heaven he gave me life
of Meritxell the great Mother.
I was born a Princess, a Maiden
neutral between two nations.
I am the only remaining daughter
of the Carolingian empire.
Believing and free for eleven centuries,
believing and free I will be.
The laws of the land be my tutors,
and my defender Princes,
And Princes my defender !
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coat of arms of andorra