ANDORRA
Principality of Andorra
Principat d'Andorra
TITLE I
SOVEREIGNTY OF ANDORRA
Article 1
1. Andorra is a Democratic and Social independent State abiding by the Rule of Law. Its official name is Principat d'Andorra..
2. The Constitution proclaims that the action of the Andorran State is inspired by the principles of respect and promotion of liberty, equality, justice, tolerance, defence of human rights and dignity of the person.
3. Sovereignty is vested in the Andorran People, who exercise it through the different means of participation and by way of the institutions established in this Constitution.
4. The political system of Andorra is a parliamentary Coprincipat .
5. Andorra is composed of the Parròquies of Canillo, Encamp, Ordino, La Massana, Andorra la Vella, Sant Julià de Lòria and Escaldes-Engordany.
Article 2
1. Catalan is the official language of the State.
2. The national anthem, the State flag and the coat of arms of Andorra are the traditional ones.
3. Andorra la Vella is the capital of the State.
Article 3
1. The present Constitution, which is the highest rule of the legal system, binds all the public institutions as well as the individuals.
2. The Constitution recognizes the principles of equality, hierarchy, publicity of the judicial rules, non-retroactivity of the rules restricting individual rights or those that are unfavourable in their effect or sanction, juridical security, accountability of public institutions and prohibition of any kind of arbitrariness.
3. The universally recognized principles of international public law are incorporated into the legal system of Andorra.
4. The treaties and international agreements take effect in the legal system from the moment of their publication in the Butlletí Oficial del Principat d'Andorra and cannot be amended or repealed by law.
PREAMBLE OF ITS CONSTITUTION APPROVED ON MARCH 14TH, 1993, BY THE ANDORRAN PEOPLE BY DEMOCRATIC REFERENDUM
The Andorran People, with full liberty and independence, and in the exercise of their own sovereignty,
Conscious of the need to conform the institutional structure of Andorra to the new circumstances brought about by the evolution of the geographical, historical and socio-cultural environment in which it is situated, as well as of the need to regulate the relations which the institutions dating back to the Pareatges. shall have within this new legal framework,
Resolved of the need to be endowed with all the mechanisms leading to juridical security in the exercise of the fundamental rights of the individual, which, although always present and respected in the nature of Andorran society, have not received the protection of any kind of general laws,
Eager to use every endeavour to promote values such as liberty, justice, democracy and social progress, and to keep and strengthen the harmonious relations of Andorra with the rest of the world, and especially with the neighbouring countries, on the basis of mutual respect, co-existence and peace,
Willing to bring their collaboration and effort to all the common causes of mankind, and especially to those of preserving the integrity of the Earth and guaranteeing an environment fit for life for the coming generations,
Desiring that the motto "virtus, unita, fortior", which has presided over the peaceful journey of Andorra over its more than seven hundred years of history, may continue to be a completely valid principle and may always guide the conduct of Andorrans,
Approve the present Constitution, in the exercise of their sovereignty.
The Andorran People, with full liberty and independence, and in the exercise of their own sovereignty,
Conscious of the need to conform the institutional structure of Andorra to the new circumstances brought about by the evolution of the geographical, historical and socio-cultural environment in which it is situated, as well as of the need to regulate the relations which the institutions dating back to the Pareatges. shall have within this new legal framework,
Resolved of the need to be endowed with all the mechanisms leading to juridical security in the exercise of the fundamental rights of the individual, which, although always present and respected in the nature of Andorran society, have not received the protection of any kind of general laws,
Eager to use every endeavour to promote values such as liberty, justice, democracy and social progress, and to keep and strengthen the harmonious relations of Andorra with the rest of the world, and especially with the neighbouring countries, on the basis of mutual respect, co-existence and peace,
Willing to bring their collaboration and effort to all the common causes of mankind, and especially to those of preserving the integrity of the Earth and guaranteeing an environment fit for life for the coming generations,
Desiring that the motto "virtus, unita, fortior", which has presided over the peaceful journey of Andorra over its more than seven hundred years of history, may continue to be a completely valid principle and may always guide the conduct of Andorrans,
Approve the present Constitution, in the exercise of their sovereignty.
SOVEREIGNTY OF ANDORRA
Article 1
1. Andorra is a Democratic and Social independent State abiding by the Rule of Law. Its official name is Principat d'Andorra..
2. The Constitution proclaims that the action of the Andorran State is inspired by the principles of respect and promotion of liberty, equality, justice, tolerance, defence of human rights and dignity of the person.
3. Sovereignty is vested in the Andorran People, who exercise it through the different means of participation and by way of the institutions established in this Constitution.
4. The political system of Andorra is a parliamentary Coprincipat .
5. Andorra is composed of the Parròquies of Canillo, Encamp, Ordino, La Massana, Andorra la Vella, Sant Julià de Lòria and Escaldes-Engordany.
Article 2
1. Catalan is the official language of the State.
2. The national anthem, the State flag and the coat of arms of Andorra are the traditional ones.
3. Andorra la Vella is the capital of the State.
Article 3
1. The present Constitution, which is the highest rule of the legal system, binds all the public institutions as well as the individuals.
2. The Constitution recognizes the principles of equality, hierarchy, publicity of the judicial rules, non-retroactivity of the rules restricting individual rights or those that are unfavourable in their effect or sanction, juridical security, accountability of public institutions and prohibition of any kind of arbitrariness.
3. The universally recognized principles of international public law are incorporated into the legal system of Andorra.
4. The treaties and international agreements take effect in the legal system from the moment of their publication in the Butlletí Oficial del Principat d'Andorra and cannot be amended or repealed by law.
Motto: "Virtus Unita Fortior" (Latin)
"Strength United is Stronger"
Anthem: El Gran Carlemany, Mon Pare (Catalan)
The Great Charlemagne, my Fath
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndCQNIsiUAY&feature=related
![Location of Andorra (green)in Europe (dark grey) — [Legend]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Location_Andorra_Europe.png)
Capital
(and largest city) Andorra la Vella
(and largest city) Andorra la Vella
42°30′N 1°31′E
For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality, ruled by French and Spanish leaders (from 1607 onward, the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Seu d'Urgell). In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads of state retained, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy. For decades Andorra enjoyed its status as a small refuge of fiscal and banking freedom and benefitted from Spanish and French tourists attracted to the country's duty-free shopping. The situation has changed in recent years as Andorra started to tax foreign investment and other sectors. Tourism accounts for over 80% of Andorra's gross domestic product.
The year 1993, Andorra lived a great moment, approving the "Constitution", and the entry in the United Nations, and all their entities. The representative of the Principate, raises the catalan language to the highest European institutions, using this language (official language of Andorra) in his speech at the U. N.
Nowadays, Andorra, under the government of the "Molt Honorable Sr. Marc Forné i Molné", consolidates as a great touristic and commercial center, as well as in the practice of winter and mountain sports, as well as an incomparable place to enjoy some days with its thermoludic complex "Caldea".
For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality, ruled by French and Spanish leaders (from 1607 onward, the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Seu d'Urgell). In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads of state retained, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy. For decades Andorra enjoyed its status as a small refuge of fiscal and banking freedom and benefitted from Spanish and French tourists attracted to the country's duty-free shopping. The situation has changed in recent years as Andorra started to tax foreign investment and other sectors. Tourism accounts for over 80% of Andorra's gross domestic product.
The year 1993, Andorra lived a great moment, approving the "Constitution", and the entry in the United Nations, and all their entities. The representative of the Principate, raises the catalan language to the highest European institutions, using this language (official language of Andorra) in his speech at the U. N.
Nowadays, Andorra, under the government of the "Molt Honorable Sr. Marc Forné i Molné", consolidates as a great touristic and commercial center, as well as in the practice of winter and mountain sports, as well as an incomparable place to enjoy some days with its thermoludic complex "Caldea".
Topographic map of Andorra.
Total Area: 468 sq km (100% land). Total Land Boundaries: 120.3 km. Total Coastline: 0 km (landlocked).
CULTURAL LIFE....
As a popular tourist destination, Andorra hosts prestigious international events throughout the year, which showcase the rich culture of the Principality.
In addition to specific exhibitions in Andorra and local art, a number of events of international renown are held in the parishes across the country:
PARISH ANNUAL FESTIVALS
http://www.andorra.ad/en-US/About_Andorra/Pages/Culture_and_traditions.aspx
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