September 8: National Day in Andorra
Prayer Idea
Pray for the people and government of Andorra.
Map by Peter Hermes Furian / Shutterstock.com.
History Note
Nestled in the Pyrenees Mountains that separate France and Spain and that mark the northern border of the Iberian Peninsula, Andorra is a microstate with a population of about 85,000. The mountains, which rise nearly 10,000 feet above sea level, served to keep Andorra isolated for many years.
Today the mountains, the glaciers on them, and the valleys and rivers below them offer beautiful scenery for the eight million visitors who come each year. Good highways bring tourists into the country, but it still has no railroad and the nearest airport is in Spain.
Andorra has two heads of state. The country is a parliamentary coprincipality. According to the accepted story, Charlemagne liberated the region from the Muslims in 803. The Spanish count of Urgel (the adjacent region of Spain) ruled it beginning in the 800s. Later the count gave it to the bishop of Urgel. Disputes among French and Spanish counts and bishops continued for centuries.
From 1278 until 1993, Andorra was governed by the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Urgel. Under this arrangement, every other year Andorra paid the French head of state about two dollars and gave the bishop of Urgel about eight dollars as well as six hams, six cheeses, and twelve hens.
In 1993 Andorra adopted its first constitution. Under that document the people elect a 28-member legislature, the General Council of the Valleys, which appoints a head of government or prime minister. The president of France and the bishop of Urgel are coprinces whose roles are largely ceremonial.
The official language is Catalan, which is a Romance language distinct from both Spanish and French. Many Andorrans speak Castillian Spanish, while others speak Portuguese or French. The country does not keep track of religious affiliation, though the majority of the population are likely Roman Catholic.
The country celebrates September 8 as its national day. This is the feast day of Our Lady of Meritxell, the patron saint of the nation.
This 2016 photo shows the Church of Saint Esteve in Andorra’s capital, Andorra la Vella. Elements of the church date back to the 12th century, though it has been renovated over the centuries. Photo by milosk50 / Shutterstock.com.
Learn More
Rick Steves narrates this quick introduction to modern Andorra.
Find more resources at Homeschool History.
