# What and Why is Andorra? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 1, 2001, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-and-why-is-andorra/90980 "2001-11-01T20:21:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![adara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@adara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adara)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-and-why-is-andorra/90980/1 "2001-11-01T20:21:17Z")
Andorra is a little place between Spain and France. It uses these countries currencies, postal systems, etc. Why does Andorra exist (since it’s not a country itself) and what is it really? It’s not like Alsace-Lorraine, which went back and forth between France and Germany for centuries. Andorra doesn’t belong to _anybody_…not even itself? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-and-why-is-andorra/90980/2 "2001-11-01T20:30:20Z")
Click the link [http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/an.html](http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/an.html) next time, try Google. ---
**Author:** ![Zazie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Zazie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zazie)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-and-why-is-andorra/90980/3 "2001-11-01T20:31:02Z")
I thought it was it’s own “country”??? Well, it is good to go get cheap gas and tax free cigaretts and alcohol!!! ---
**Author:** ![Zazie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Zazie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zazie)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-and-why-is-andorra/90980/4 "2001-11-01T20:34:49Z")
Actually it is a “principaute” like Monaco! Here is what the head of their government says (some of it!): On behalf of the Government of Andorra and myself personally, I welcome you most cordially to the Principality’s Internet website, where you will find the widest possible range of information on our country. Although the country has existed for a millenium, Andorra is constantly looking to the future and our modern communications technology offers you the opportunity of making contact and directly accessing information on the reality and the history of Andorra. The Andorran state has enjoyed a separate identity and social and political independence for more than 1000 years, but at the same time it is one of the youngest of nations. Our Constitution dates only from March 14 1993. The combination of these two characteristics allows the Principality of Andorra to maintain its secular traditions in a spirit of constant renewal and progress. For the visitor, Andorra offers a magnificent range of possibilities to suit every taste Traditional Andorran hospitality, unspoilt countryside and our exciting commercial sector make it certain that you will be delighted with your holidays and the leisuretime you spend here, leaving you with unforgettable memories. Benvinguts al Principat d’Andorra! Welcome to the Principality of Andorra! ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-and-why-is-andorra/90980/5 "2001-11-01T20:49:11Z")
Oddly enough, though Andorra is called a principality, neither of its two heads of state is actually a heriditary prince, and both reside outside of the country. One, the president of France (as the successor of the King of France), is the head of state of a foreign country. The other is the bishop of Urgel, Spain. Like other European ministates like Monaco, San Marino, and Liechtenstein, they still exist mainly because the neighboring states felt they were too small and unimportant to take over. ---
**Author:** ![DMAAN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/278dde/32.png) [@DMAAN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMAAN)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-and-why-is-andorra/90980/6 "2001-11-01T20:50:48Z")
Andorra? my first thought was: Darrins mother in law? Population= 67,000 and they have 7 political parties! Jeez those folks must love to argue. d ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-and-why-is-andorra/90980/7 "2001-11-01T20:55:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Colibri \* > **Oddly enough, though Andorra is called a principality, neither of its two heads of state is actually a heriditary prince, and both reside outside of the country. One, the president of France (as the successor of the King of France), is the head of state of a foreign country. The other is the bishop of Urgel, Spain.** Well, actually, the president of France is the successor to the Count of Foix, who was Prince of Andorra by virtue of his title. ---
**Author:** ![adara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@adara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adara)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-and-why-is-andorra/90980/8 "2001-11-01T21:05:42Z")
Well, here is why Andorra exists: "After the death of Charlemagne, the Carolingian Empire fell into divisive territorial quarrels, and Andorra fell into the rule of the Count Of Urgell, one of the powerful families of the Spanish nobility. In 1133 the Count of Urgell ceded the lands to the Bishop of Urgell. In 1159 Andorra became the subject of a prolonged struggle between the Count of Foix and the Bishop of Urgell. Although an agreement was signed that year which recognized the Bishop’s authority while ceding certain rights to the Count of Foix, the dispute lasted through many bloody, bitter battles until 1278 when Roger Bernard (Count of Foix) and Father d’Urtx (Bishop of Urgell) signed a peace treaty forced upon them by the King of Aragon. This treaty,and another signed eleven years later, established that Andorra would become independant, but pay an annual tribute called questia. To whom the tribute went alternated every year; first to the Count of Foix, then to the Bishop of Urgell, then the Count of Foix, etc. This agreement, called the Pareage is still the basis of Andorra’s constitution and political independance. It is still paid to the Bishop of Urgell, and the President of France (as the sucessor to the Counts of Foix). The twin heads of state are referred to as “co-princes”, and hence the country is referred to as the Principality of Andorra". [http://www.sigma.net/fafhrd/andorra/history.html](http://www.sigma.net/fafhrd/andorra/history.html) Still, it’s so odd that it’s been like this (let’s ignore Boris I) since 1278. Where else did people in the Middle Ages say, “Oh, well, we’ve been killing each other over this, since it’s such a prime piece of mountain property; we should make it into its own little principality! Then we could be friends!” Yeah, right. ---
**Author:** ![SCSimmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-and-why-is-andorra/90980/9 "2001-11-01T21:51:41Z")
Holy mackerel! \*\*Exports: $58 million (f.o.b., 1998) Imports: $1.077 billion (c.i.f., 1998) \*\* Now _that’s_ a trade deficit!! ---
**Author:** ![Motog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85e7bf/32.png) [@Motog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motog)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-and-why-is-andorra/90980/10 "2001-11-01T21:57:42Z")
Been there a few times. Its real reason for existence is so the nearby French and Spaniards can buy tax-free goods. Its main industries are duty-free shopping, traffic jams and parking police. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-and-why-is-andorra/90980/11 "2001-11-01T22:06:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Captain Amazing \* > \*\*Well, actually, the president of France is the successor to the Count of Foix, who was Prince of Andorra by virtue of his title. \*\* Not exactly. The President of France is the successor to the Emperor of France who was the sucessor to the King of France who was the sucessor to the Emperor of France who was the successor to the King of France who was the sucessor to the Count of Foix: > [@](#): > > \*\* > Over the years the title of “co-prince” of Andorra changed hands on the French side of the border. Henry II of Foix became Henry IV of France, and the title passed into the royal dominion, and Louis XIII (the son of Henry IV) confirmed Andorra’s rights. > > However, in 1793 the French monarchy was overthrown, and for the next fifteen years the Andorrans were without the protection of the French government. While this generally wouldn’t really bother most people, the Andorrans were worried that their Spanish overlord would take this opportunity to revoke their independence, and make them a subordinate territory. > > However, when Napoleon became Emperor of France, he issued on March 26, 1806 an Imperial Decree re-establishing the the overlordship of the French government, and confirming their rights of independence. When France became a reupblic in 1870 the role of overlord became part of the duties and powers of the President of the Republic. > > \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Popup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@Popup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Popup)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2001, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-and-why-is-andorra/90980/12 "2001-11-02T08:40:22Z")
Charlemagne created several so-called “March States” to act as buffer zones between his empire and the pagans/infidels/enemies elsewhere. These were more-or-less independent, but somehow answered to the emperor. This would have been around AD800. There were several of them, but only Andorra remains. (‘March’ here means ‘border’, just like in the later ‘Welsh Marches’ - a similiar Cambrian arrangement (By the Plantagenets?).)