For 715 years, from 1278 to 1994, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality ruled by 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
Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy, accounts for roughly 80% of GDP An estimated 9 million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and by its summer and winter resorts Andorra's comparative advantage has recently eroded as the economies of neighboring France and Spain have been opened up, providing broader availability of goods and lower tariffs The banking sector, with its "tax haven" status, also contributes substantially to the economy Agricultural production is limited -- only 2% of the land is arable -- and most food has to be imported The principal livestock activity is sheep raising Manufacturing output consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, and furniture Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods no tariffs and as a non-EU member for agricultural products
Electricity is supplied at 220 to 230V 50Hz Outlets are the European standard CEE-7/7 "Schukostecker" or "Schuko" or the compatible, CEE-7/16 "Europlug" types
Andorra's official language is Catalan, but almost everyone speaks Spanish French and Portuguese are widely spoken too English is also spoken by those involved in the tourism industry
Most of these resorts were once small mountain villages which have grown in recent years due to skiing In recent years the resorts have all joined together so that your ski pass covers neighbouring areas As a result there are now just two areas known as Vallnord and Grandvalira
Vallnord covers Arcalis and the Arinsal-Pal ski area Arcalis is quite distant away from Arinsal-Pal but the latter have been joined up in recent years by a cable car connecting the two ski areas The Arisnal-Pal ski area is directly accessible from La Massana right from the middle of the town
Grandvalira covers Soldeu and Pas de la Casa The Soldeu ski area is also accessible from Encamp and Canillo This quite cleverly has opened up these areas to cope with the influence of visitors without putting all the strain on Soldeu
If you would like more information on the mountain huts in Andorra, go to Mountain huts in Andorra 5 A good way for hiking and trekking in Andorra is staying at the Himàlaia Hotel in Soldeu 6, that has its own Hiking team of guides who go every day with their guests to walk and discover a lot of interesting hiking routes around the country
Andorra is a great place for hiking The point of departure is the town of Arinsal at the foot of the Coma Pedrosa 2,942 m and the Pic de Médécourbe 2,914 m
Panoramic view over the Ordino mountains and la Massana Ideal picnic and meditation site One can continue along the GR11 to Arans parking at Mas de Ribafeta 1466m but transport back to Arinsal must be provided
Euros are used throughout Andorra Andorra La Vella is a good destination to buy all kinds of cheap goods, due to the country's status as a "tax haven"
Out of town
Seasonal
To work in Andorra you are supposed to have a work permit issued by the government If you are on business for only a few days then this would not apply
| Meal in inexpensive restaurant | 13.3 EUR |
| 3-course meal in restaurant (for 2) | 32.9 EUR |
| McDonalds meal | 7.1 EUR |
| Local beer (0.5 draft) | 2.22 EUR |
| Foreign beer (0.33 bottle) | 3.33 EUR |
| Cappuccino | 1.6 EUR |
| Pepsi/Coke (0.33 bottle) | 1.79 EUR |
| Water (0.33 bottle) | 1.23 EUR |
| Milk (1l) | 0.94 EUR |
| Fresh bread (500g) | 2.1 EUR |
| White Rice (1kg) | 1.66 EUR |
| Eggs (12) | 1.9 EUR |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | 16.88 EUR |
| Chicken Breast (1kg) | 7.67 EUR |
| Apples (1kg) | 2.21 EUR |
| Oranges (1kg) | 1.65 EUR |
| Tomato (1kg) | 1.24 EUR |
| Potato (1kg) | 1.18 EUR |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 1.39 EUR |
| Water (1.5l) | 0.66 EUR |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 4.6 EUR |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 bottle) | 0.39 EUR |
| Foreign beer (0.33 bottle) | 0.81 EUR |
| Cigarettes | 2.71 EUR |
| One way local bus ticket | 1.88 EUR |
| Monthly pass for bus | 27.63 EUR |
| Taxi start | 3.27 EUR |
| Taxi 1km | 1.55 EUR |
| Taxi 1hour waiting | 11.76 EUR |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | 1.17 EUR |
| Utilities for a "normal" apartment | 108.14 EUR |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | 9.93 EUR |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 437.1 EUR |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 371.25 EUR |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 888 EUR |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 661.2 EUR |
