Andorra la Vella

Andorra la Vella is the capital and largest city of Andorra. It is located high in the east Pyrenees, between France and Spain. The city is also the name of the Andorran parish that surrounds it.

As of 2023, the city had a population of 24,042. The urban area, which includes Escaldes–Engordany and some smaller villages, has over 40,000 people.

Tourism is the main industry in Andorra la Vella. Many visitors come to enjoy the mountains and scenic beauty. The country also earns money by being a tax haven. The city sits at an elevation of 1,023 meters (3,356 feet), making it the highest capital city in Europe. It shares a border with Spain.

Name

Andorra la Vella means "the city of Andorra." It helps us tell the difference between the city and the whole country of Andorra. Even though "vella" sounds like it means "old" in Catalan, here it comes from a word meaning "city."

History

The area now known as Andorra la Vella has been home to people for a very long time, even before Christianity. Later, it became part of a region protected by a famous leader, Charlemagne.

In 1278, leaders from France and a church leader agreed to share control, making Andorra la Vella the main city. Important old buildings, like the Casa de la Vall from the 1500s, show this history. By 1993, Andorra la Vella became the center of a new government system. The city also grew as a place for banking and skiing.

Main articles: Casa de la Vall

Geography

Andorra la Vella is the capital and largest city of Andorra. It is in the southwest part of the country. The city is 1,023 metres above sea level. Two small rivers meet there to form the Gran Valira. It is near the area of Escaldes–Engordany.

The city has warm summers and cold, snowy winters. The old town has stone streets and houses. One important building is the Església de Sant Esteve church. It was built in a Romanesque style. Another famous building is the Church of Santa Coloma d'Andorra. It dates back to the ninth century.

Demographics

Native Andorrans make up about a third of the people in Andorra la Vella. Most people there come from Spain, with smaller groups from Portugal and France. Most people in Andorra la Vella practice the Roman Catholic faith. People in Andorra la Vella live long lives, with many reaching over 80 years old.

Culture

Andorra la Vella is the cultural heart of Andorra. The Government Exhibition Hall is a main theatre and museum. The piazza outside the parliament building hosts many events. Every winter, the town holds a music festival.

Catalan is the official language of Andorra la Vella. People also speak Spanish, Portuguese, and French.

Notable people

Andorra la Vella is home to many important people in different areas of life. Historians, activists, politicians, and artists all help make the city's culture special.

In sports, the city has athletes who have competed in big events around the world. These athletes include tennis players, ski mountaineers, judokas, footballers, and Olympic swimmers who have represented Andorra in competitions everywhere.

Economy and infrastructure

Andorra la Vella is the main city for shopping and business in Andorra. Many tourists visit each year, which helps the local economy. The city is important for banks and companies because of its special tax laws. Although not part of the European Union, Andorra uses the euro as its money.

The city has a small airport for helicopters called the Andorra la Vella Heliport. There is another airport called Andorra–La Seu d'Urgell Airport, located a short distance away in Spain. People can also travel by bus to train stations in nearby L'Hospitalet-près-l'Andorre and Lleida, or take buses from airports in Barcelona, Girona, and Reus.

Education

Andorra la Vella has 11 schools. There are 10 public schools and 1 private school. Families can choose schools that teach in Catalan, Spanish, or French. These schools teach children from a very young age up to secondary school. The teachers in the French and Spanish schools are mainly paid by France and Spain.

There is one private school, The British College of Andorra, for children aged 3 to 13 and growing. For higher education, students must travel to the only university in Andorra, the Universitat d'Andorra, located in Sant Julià de Lòria, about 7 kilometers away.

Public schools by system and age

Andorran Public System

• Escola andorrana Andorra la Vella (2–11 years old)
• Escola andorrana de Santa Coloma i del Roc (12–15 years old)
• Escola andorrana Andorra la Vella (16–17 years old)

Spanish Public System

• Instituto español María Moliner en La Margineda (12–17 years old)
• Colegio español Mare Janer en Santa Coloma (2–15 years old)
• Colegio español Sant Ermengol en Andorra la Vella (2–17 years old)
• Instituto Español de Andorra (IEA) (12–17 years old)

French Public System

• Ecole maternelle Française d'Andorre la Vieille (2–6 years old)
• École élémentaire Française d'Andorre la Vieille (6–10 years old)
• École primaire Française Santa Coloma (2–10 years old)
• Lycée Français Comte de Foix en Andorra la Vella (11–17 years old)

Private schools

• The British College of Andorra en Andorra la Vella (3–13 years old but is expanding)

International relations

Andorra la Vella has friendly connections with cities around the world. It is twinned with several cities, including Sant Pol de Mar and Valls in Spain, Foix in France, and Šid in Serbia.

Since 2008, Andorra la Vella has been part of the Union of Ibero-American Capital Cities. This group includes major cities such as Asunción in Paraguay, Barcelona in Spain, Bogotá in Colombia, and many others across Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula. This partnership helps the cities work together and share ideas.