Andorra Trivia – 50 General Knowledge / Trivia Questions on Andorra

1. What year did Andorra become independent from the supervision of France and the Bishop of Urgel?

Andorra became fully independent in 1993 after nearly 700 years of nominal control by France and the Bishop of Urgell. A constitution was approved in 1993 establishing Andorra as a sovereign parliamentary democracy.

2. What are the names of the two co-princes that jointly serve as Andorra’s heads of state?

Andorra’s two co-princes are the President of France and the Bishop of Urgell in Spain. This unique diarchy reflects Andorra’s history coming under the protection of these two entities.

3. What mountain range runs through Andorra, influencing its geography and climate?

The Pyrenees mountain range runs along Andorra’s border with Spain to the south, reaching heights of nearly 3,000 metres. The rugged peaks cover over 80% of Andorra’s land area.

4. What is the only official language spoken in Andorra?

Catalan is the sole official language used in Andorra. It reflects the Andorran people’s cultural ties to Catalonia in Spain. Spanish, Portuguese, and French are also commonly spoken.

5. True or false: Andorra has a coastline and access to the sea.

False. Andorra is a landlocked country, completely surrounded by Spain and France. It lacks a coastline and direct sea access.

6. What is the currency used in Andorra?

Andorra uses the Euro as its official currency, having replaced the French franc and Spanish peseta in 2002. Andorra is not part of the Eurozone but mints its own Euro coins.

7. What percentage of Andorra’s GDP comes from tourism?

Tourism accounts for roughly 80% of Andorra’s GDP due to its popularity as a ski destination and tax-free shopping location for visitors. The number of annual tourists is over 10 million.

8. What is Andorra’s form of government characterized as?

Andorra is defined as a parliamentary constitutional diarchy. It has an elected parliament but also retains the two unelected co-princes as joint heads of state per Andorra’s unique history.

9. Who holds the most political authority in Andorra?

Andorra’s Prime Minister has the most domestic political authority. The position directs the actions of the executive cabinet and heads the parliamentary majority in power.

10. Historically, what goods were smuggled into Andorra to avoid import duties?

Tobacco products were commonly smuggled into Andorra due to low duties levied on goods transiting through the country. Smuggling benefited Andorra’s economy for centuries.

11. What is Andorra’s largest parish by land area?

Andorra’s largest parish by land area is Canillo, spanning 121 square kilometres in the northern part of the country. It encompasses the tallest peaks of the Pyrenees Mountains.

12. What sport brings many visitors to Andorra and its ski resorts each winter?

Skiing attracts over 10 million visitors each year to Andorra’s ski resorts and mountains. The peak winter tourism revolves around downhill skiing and snowboarding activities.

13. La Seu d’Urgell can be found in which country bordering Andorra?

La Seu d’Urgell is located just across Andorra’s southern border in Spain. It has served historically as the seat of the Bishop of Urgell, one of Andorra’s two co-princes.

14. Which language do students in Andorra’s school system learn in addition to Catalan?

Along with the official Catalan language, students in Andorra are also taught Spanish and French to facilitate communication with bordering countries. English skills are increasingly prioritized as well.

15. What is Andorra’s lowest point of elevation above sea level?

At 840 metres above sea level, the Valira River on Andorra’s eastern border with Spain represents the country’s lowest point of elevation.

16. Construction accounts for what percentage of Andorra’s GDP?

Construction is a major industry, accounting for over 14% of GDP. Residential and infrastructure development caters to the large tourism market.

17. What is the most commonly raised livestock in Andorra?

Sheep are the most commonly raised livestock, grazed during summer months in Andorra’s alpine pastures. Wool products have remained vital to Andorra’s economy and identity.

18. The Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley is known for what designation granted by UNESCO?

The pristine Madriu Valley obtained UNESCO World Heritage status in 2004 as an untouched alpine cultural landscape illustrating Andorran traditional mountain life.

19. What country does Andorra rely on for national defense?

Andorra lacks a standing army and instead counts on defense cooperation through a special agreement with Spain and its armed forces since 1993.

20. Andorra la Vella serves as the capital as well as the name of which parish?

Andorra la Vella serves as Andorra’s capital city and is also the name of the adjacent parish covering the Valira River valley and plains that house most of the country’s cultural sites.

21. What families historically held fiefdoms in parts of Andorra beginning in the 13th century?

Local noble families including the Fitzhumili and Vilanova families held historic feudal powers over parts of Andorra’s territory beginning in the 1200s when Andorra was established.

22. What type of climate does the higher elevation of Andorra experience?

Andorra’s higher mountain elevations experience an alpine climate characterized by cold winters with heavy snowfall and moderate summers. Wide diurnal temperature variation occurs at all elevations.

23. Sant Julià de Lòria is the most populated parish located in which valley region?

Sant Julià de Lòria, Andorra’s second most populous urban area, lies in the Valira Valley spanning south from the capital Andorra la Vella.

24. How many parishes does Andorra have currently?

Modern Andorra is divided into seven administrative parishes, the most populous being Escaldes-Engordany adjoining the capital Andorra la Vella.

25. Which parish is home to Andorra’s geographic center?

Les Escaldes, unified with Engordany parish, contains the geographic center point of Andorra according to coordinates on the territory’s official digital map.

26. What age do citizens gain the right to vote in Andorra?

At age 18, an Andorran citizen gains the legal right to vote in local parish elections as well as national elections to represent the constituencies allotted per parish.

27. Which parish did Napoleon allow to remain largely independent in 1806?

Ordino parish was permitted to retain most of its medieval governmental institutions in 1806, while the remainder of Andorra lost autonomy to France.

28. Which country did not receive asylum rights from Andorra during World War II?

Andorra welcomed refugees from France and other countries during WWII but did not grant asylum to those fleeing Nazi Germany at the time.

29. Which parish serves as Andorra’s manufacturing hub?

Santa Coloma parish has developed into Andorra’s center of manufacturing and industrial activity, including pharmaceuticals, cigars, electronics and metalworking.

30. Camp de les Nacions is located in which parish?

The ski area of Camp de les Nacions is situated in the parish of Encamp, spanning Andorra’s western border high in the Pyrenees mountain valleys.

31. Which of Andorra’s parishes has the smallest population?

Sant Julià de Lòria is Andorra’s least populated parish, with just over 7,600 residents as of 2020, yet it serves as an economic hub.

32. Which country originated the historic religious influence over Andorra?

The Roman Catholic Church, through the Diocese of Urgell headquartered in Spain, provided the basis of religious authority that governed parts of Andorra’s affairs over centuries.

33. Which parish is home to Caldea, Andorra’s largest spa?

The extensive Caldea thermoludic spa complex is located in Escaldes-Engordany parish, with hot springs tapped to supply its facilities.

34. Prior to 1993, who had authority in Andorra to review policies and propose new laws?

The General Council historically held certain lawmaking abilities like vetting decrees before they passed. Today, the body is called the General Council of the Valleys.

35. Casa de la Vall can be found in which Andorran parish?

Andorra’s historic parliament building called Casa de la Vall is located in Andorra la Vella parish, now serving as a major museum.

36. Which parish was created when La Massana was divided in 1978?

Les Escaldes broke away from La Massana in 1978 to form a distinct seventh Andorran parish administered by its own local government, or comú.

37. Which Andorran parish has the highest average elevation?

At nearly 2,000 metres above sea level on average, Canillo has the highest mean elevation of Andorra’s mountainous parishes.

38. Which food is a traditional Christmas dessert in Andorra?

Andorrans enjoy torró, a nougat confection, as part of their Nadal holiday cuisine originating from Catalan culinary traditions.

39. Which country lies to the west of Andorra?

The Principality of Andorra shares a border to the west with the Kingdom of Spain, specifically the autonomous communities of Catalonia and Aragon.

40. The historic Los Veguers building today houses what?

The medieval Los Veguers estate now hosts the Andorran parliament, after renovation provided facilities for the modern-day General Council.

41. What are Andorra’s national colors as seen on its flag?

Andorra’s flag displays traditional national colors of blue, yellow, and red horizontally in equal bands. The coat of arms appears centered on the yellow stripe.

42. What type of flatbread is integral to Andorra’s cuisine?

Pa amb tomàquet, a lightly toasted rustic bread rubbed with tomato pulp and olive oil, features as a staple in Catalan and Andorran food culture.

43. Comapedrosa is the highest point located in which geographic region?

At 2,942 metres in elevation, Comapedrosa represents the highest peak fully within Andorra’s borders, found in the northwestern part of the country.

44. Soldeu is popular for which winter sport that draws tourists?

Soldeu serves as a hub for downhill and cross-country skiing thanks to consistently good snow cover during winter months.

45. Which parish did La Massana originally belong to until becoming its own parish?

La Massana was once part of the large Ordino parish region prior to officially separating in the early 1600s.

46. Which country lies to the south of Andorra?

The Principality of Andorra is bordered to the south by Spain, sharing nearly 65 kilometres of mountainous boundary.

47. Which parish contains Andorra’s largest lake, Estany de l’Illa?

Estany de l’Illa, the country’s biggest natural lake spanning 60 hectares, is situated high in the parish of Encamp below Pic de l’Illa mountain.

48. In which century was the Casa de la Vall built?

Andorra’s historic parliamentary house Casa de la Vall dates originally to the 16th century when constructed between 1580 and 1590.

49. Which parish contains the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Meritxell?

The Sanctuary of Meritxell, home to the country’s patron saint Virgin of Meritxell, stands in Canillo parish where her likeness was discovered.

50. Which parish serves as the gateway between France and Andorra?

Pas de la Casa, locally termed Andorra’s “shopping city”, resides in Encamp parish and provides the major French border crossing point used heavily by visitors.