63-542: The Dos Valires Tunnel ( Tunel de les Dos Valires ) is a major road tunnel in Andorra linking the two upper Andorran parishes of La Massana and Encamp . It is 2.922 kilometres (1.816 mi) long. The tunnel connects Generals Roads 2 and 3 linking the Valira del Nord (North Valley) and the Valira d'Orient (East Valley). It is the first stage of the northern bypass of Andorra la Vella / Escaldes-Engordany . The construction of
126-421: A Council General of 24 members elected by suffrage limited to heads of families. The Council General replaced the aristocratic oligarchy that previously ruled the state. The New Reform ( Nova Reforma ) began after ratification by both Co-Princes and established the basis of the constitution and symbols – such as the tricolour flag – of Andorra. A new service economy arose as
189-432: A GDP per capita and a life expectancy higher than the most standard countries of the current economy. Given its relative isolation, Andorra has existed outside the mainstream of European history, with few ties to countries other than France, Spain and Portugal . But in recent times its thriving tourist industry, along with developments in transport and communications, have removed the country from its isolation. Since 1976
252-708: A demand of the valley inhabitants and began to build infrastructure such as hotels, spa resorts, roads and telegraph lines. The authorities of the Co-Princes banned casinos and betting houses throughout the country. The ban resulted in an economic conflict and the Revolution of 1881, which began when revolutionaries assaulted the house of the syndic on 8 December 1880, and established the Provisional Revolutionary Council led by Joan Pla i Calvo and Pere Baró i Mas. The Provisional Revolutionary Council allowed for
315-628: A goddess according to Hellenistic convention. The exploration of Tyche is also the impetus for Polybius beginning his work, in that he discusses the fortunate events that led to Rome ’s domination of the Mediterranean. In Book VI Polybius digresses into an explanation of the Roman constitution and he shows it to be mixed. The purpose for this is involved in the Hellenistic nature of the work, particularly his Greek audience. Greeks at this time believed that
378-469: A social health insurance system was created ( CASS ). The Andorran government necessarily involved planning, projection and forecasts for the future: with the official visit of the French co-prince Charles de Gaulle in 1967 and 1969, it was given approval for the economic boom and national demands within the framework of human rights and international openness. Andorra experienced an era commonly known as
441-569: A territory is the Acta de Consagració i Dotació de la Catedral de la Seu d'Urgell (Deed of Consecration and Endowment of the Cathedral of La Seu d'Urgell). The document, dated 839, depicts the six old parishes of the Andorran valleys that made up the country's administrative division. Before 1095, Andorra had no military protection, and the bishop of Urgell, who knew that the count of Urgell wanted to reclaim
504-573: Is Catalan , but Spanish , Portuguese , and French are also commonly spoken. Tourism in Andorra brings approximately 8 million visitors to the country annually. Andorra is not a member state of the European Union . It has been a member of the United Nations since 1993. The origin of the word Andorra is unknown, although several hypotheses have been proposed. The oldest is one put forward by
567-626: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This tunnel-related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Andorra in Europe (dark grey) Andorra , officially the Principality of Andorra , is a sovereign landlocked country on the Iberian Peninsula , in the eastern Pyrenees in Western Europe, bordered by France to the north and Spain to
630-459: Is primarily concerned with the 53 years in which Ancient Rome became a dominant world power. This period, from 220–167 BC, saw Rome subjugate Carthage and gain control over Hellenistic Greece . Books I through V cover the affairs of important states at the time ( Ptolemaic Egypt , Hellenistic Greece , Macedon ) and deal extensively with the First and Second Punic Wars . In Book VI he describes
693-647: Is recorded from the 2nd century BCE to the 5th century CE. The places with the most Roman presence are in Camp Vermell (Red Field) in Sant Julià de Lòria , and in some places in Encamp and in the Roc d'Enclar. People continued trading, mainly with wine and cereals, with the Roman cities of Urgellet (the present-day La Seu d'Urgell ) and across Segre through the via romana Strata Ceretana (also known as Strata Confluetana). After
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#1732890617851756-524: Is the sixth-smallest state in Europe , with an area of 468 square kilometres (181 sq mi) and a population of approximately 79,034. The Andorran people are a Romance ethnic group closely related to Catalans . Andorra is the world's 16th-smallest country by land and 11th-smallest by population . Its capital, Andorra la Vella, is the highest capital city in Europe, at an elevation of 1,023 metres (3,356 feet) above sea level . The official language
819-795: The Aquitanian , Basque and Iberian languages , the locals developed some current toponyms. Early writings and documents relating to this group of people goes back to the second century BC by the Greek writer Polybius in his Histories during the Punic Wars . Some of the most significant remains of this era are the Castle of the Roc d'Enclar (part of the early Marca Hispanica ), l'Anxiu in Les Escaldes and Roc de L'Oral in Encamp . The presence of Roman influence
882-698: The Biblical Canaanite valley of Endor or Andor (where the Midianites had been defeated), a name bestowed by his heir and son Louis the Pious after defeating the Moors in the "wild valleys of Hell". La Balma de la Margineda , found by archaeologists at Sant Julià de Lòria , was settled in 9,500 BCE as a passing place between the two sides of the Pyrenees. The seasonal camp was perfectly located for hunting and fishing by
945-624: The Byzantine Empire . Polybius, a historian from the Greek city of Megalopolis in Arcadia , was taken as a hostage to Rome after the Roman victory in the Third Macedonian War (171–168 BC), and there he began to write an account of the rise of Rome to a great power . Polybius' Histories begin in the year 264 BC and end in 146 BC (Polybius was born around 200 BC and died around 117 BC). He
1008-598: The Greek historian Polybius ( The Histories III, 35, 1), who describes the Andosins, an Iberian Pre-Roman tribe , as historically located in the valleys of Andorra and facing the Carthaginian army in its passage through the Pyrenees during the Punic Wars . The word Andosini or Andosins ( Ἀνδοσίνοι ) may derive from the Basque handia , meaning "big" or "giant". The Andorran toponymy shows evidence of Basque language in
1071-473: The Peninsular War ( Guerra Peninsular ) and divided the region into four départements , with Andorra as a part of the district of Puigcerdà . In 1814, an imperial decree reestablished the independence and economy of Andorra. During this period, Andorra's late medieval institutions and rural culture remained largely unchanged. In 1866, the syndic Guillem d'Areny-Plandolit led the reformist group in
1134-475: The Roman Constitution and outlines the powers of the consuls , Senate and People . The differences between the first set of states, namely, Athens and Thebes , and the second set which consists of those of Sparta , Crete , Mantinea and Carthage he asserted, on the ground that the states of Athens and Thebes followed an "abnormal" growth. By "abnormal" Polybius means that these states due both
1197-800: The fall of the Roman Empire , Andorra came under the influence of the Visigoths , the Kingdom of Toledo , and the Diocese of Urgell . The Visigoths remained in the valleys for 200 years, during which time Christianity spread. When the Muslim Empire of Al-Andalus replaced the ruling Visigoths in most of the Iberian Peninsula, Andorra was sheltered from these Arab invaders by the Franks . Tradition holds that Charles
1260-605: The "Andorran dream" (similar to the American Dream ) along with the Trente Glorieuses : the mass culture rooted the country experiencing radical changes in the economy and culture. Proof of this was Ràdio Andorra , the top musical radio station in Europe in this period, with guests and speakers of great importance promoting musical hits of chanson française , swing , rhythm & blues , jazz , rock and roll and American country music . During this period Andorra achieved
1323-446: The 1930s, with the construction of FHASA and the creation of professional banking with Banc Agrícol (1930) and Crèdit Andorrà (1949), later with Banca Mora (1952), Banca Cassany (1958) and SOBANCA (1960). Shortly after, activities such as skiing and shopping become a tourist attraction, with the inauguration of ski resorts and cultural entities in the late 1930s. All in all, a renovated hotel industry has developed. In April 1968
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#17328906178511386-556: The 9th through 14th centuries, particularly in the construction of churches, bridges, religious murals and statues of the Virgin and Child ( Our Lady of Meritxell being the most important). Nowadays, the Romanesque buildings that form part of Andorra's cultural heritage stand out in a remarkable way, with an emphasis on Església de Sant Esteve , Sant Joan de Caselles , Església de Sant Miquel d'Engolasters , Sant Martí de la Cortinada and
1449-483: The Andorran valleys, asked the Lord of Caboet for help and protection. In 1095, the lord of Caboet and the bishop of Urgell signed under oath a declaration of their co-sovereignty over Andorra. Arnalda de Caboet , daughter of Arnau of Caboet, married the viscount of Castellbò. Their daughter, Ermessenda de Castellbò , married the count of Foix , Roger-Bernard II . Roger-Bernard II and Ermessenda shared rule over Andorra with
1512-797: The Busquets family. Inside the parliament was placed the Closet of the six keys (Armari de les sis claus), representative of each Andorran parish, where the Andorran constitution and other documents and laws were later kept. In both the Reapers' War and the War of the Spanish Succession , the Andorran people (while professing to be a neutral country) supported the Catalans who saw their rights reduced in 1716 . The reaction
1575-516: The Catalan or foreign public even within Andorra. Andorran Group (Agrupament Andorrà), an anti-fascist organization linked to the Occitanie's French Resistance , accused the French representative (veguer) of collaboration with Nazism . The Andorran opening to the capitalist economy resulted in two axes: mass tourism and the country's tax exemption. The first steps toward the capitalist boom date from
1638-532: The Dos Valires tunnel from 2022. The executive reminds that cyclists will have to wear position lighting in front of white and behind in red, as well as reflective elements. In order to reinforce the safety of cyclists, Mobilitat is painting the first 200 meters of the cycle lane green that has been reserved for bicycles within the infrastructure. In addition, external signage will be reinforced to remind vehicles of their traffic. This Andorra -related article
1701-471: The French head of state) and the bishop of Urgell, in Catalonia . This gave the principality its territory and political form. A second paréage was signed in 1288 after a dispute when the count of Foix ordered the construction of a castle in Roc d'Enclar. The document was ratified by the noble notary Jaume Orig of Puigcerdà , and construction of military structures in the country was prohibited. In 1364,
1764-748: The Great (Charlemagne) granted a charter to the Andorran people for a contingent of 5,000 soldiers under the command of Marc Almugaver, in return for fighting against the Moors near Porté-Puymorens ( Cerdanya ). Andorra remained part of the Frankish Marca Hispanica , the buffer zone between the Frankish Empire and the Muslim territories, Andorra being part of the territory ruled by the Count of Urgell and eventually
1827-571: The Tombs of Segudet ( Ordino ) and Feixa del Moro (Sant Julià de Lòria), both dated in 4900–4300 BCE as an example of the Urn culture in Andorra. The model of small settlements began to evolve to complex urbanism during the Bronze Age . Metallurgical items of iron, ancient coins, and reliquaries can be found in the ancient sanctuaries scattered around the country. The sanctuary of Roc de les Bruixes (Stone of
1890-681: The Valleys) was founded in 1419, the second oldest parliament in Europe. The syndic Andreu d'Alàs and the General Council organized the creation of the Justice Courts (La Cort de Justicia) in 1433 with the co-princes and the collection of taxes like foc i lloc (literally "fire and site", a national tax active since then). Although there are remains of ecclesiastical works dating before the 9th century (Sant Vicenç d'Enclar or Església de Santa Coloma ), Andorra developed exquisite Romanesque Art during
1953-582: The Witches) is perhaps the most important archeological complex of this age in Andorra, located in the parish of Canillo , about the rituals of funerals, ancient scripture and engraved stone murals . The inhabitants of the valleys were traditionally associated with the Iberians and historically located in Andorra as the Iberian tribe Andosins or Andosini ( Ἀνδοσίνους ) during the 7th and 2nd centuries BC. Influenced by
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2016-476: The aftermath of the 1933 Revolution. During the Spanish Civil War, the inhabitants of Andorra welcomed refugees from both sides, and many of them settled permanently in the country thus contributing to the subsequent economic boom and the entry into the capitalist era of Andorra. Francoist troops reached the Andorran border in the later stages of the war. During World War II, Andorra remained neutral and
2079-475: The area , in the context of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation . With the passage of time, the co-title to Andorra passed to the kings of Navarre . After Henry III of Navarre became king of France , he issued an edict in 1607 that established the head of the French state and the bishop of Urgell as Co-Princes of Andorra , a political arrangement that still holds. During 1617, communal councils form
2142-510: The area. Another theory suggests that the word Andorra may derive from the old word Anorra that contains the Basque word ur ("water"). Another theory suggests that Andorra may derive from Arabic ad-dārra ( الدَّارَة ), indicating a vast land which is located among mountains or a thickly wooded place (with ad- being the definite article ). When the Moors conquered the Iberian Peninsula,
2205-499: The bishop of Urgell. In the 13th century, a military dispute arose between the bishop of Urgell and the count of Foix as aftermath of the Cathar Crusade . The conflict was resolved in 1278 with the mediation of the king of Aragon , Peter III , between the bishop and the count, by the signing of the first paréage , which provided that Andorra's sovereignty be shared between the count of Foix (whose title would ultimately transfer to
2268-668: The bishop of the Diocese of Urgell. Tradition also holds that it was guaranteed by the son of Charlemagne, Louis the Pious , writing the Carta de Poblament or a local municipal charter c. 805 . In 988, Count Borrell II of Urgell gave the Andorran valleys to the Diocese of Urgell in exchange for land in Cerdanya . Since then, the bishop of Urgell, based in Seu d'Urgell, has been co-prince of Andorra. The first document that mentions Andorra as
2331-661: The capital city there was a smuggling black market of propaganda, culture and cinematic art not favorable to totalitarian regimes, promulgated in such places as the Hotel Mirador or the Casino Hotel, as a meeting place for Free French forces and a route for escorting crashed Allied pilots out of Europe. The network was maintained after the war, when film societies were formed, where movies, music and books censored in Franco's Spain were imported, becoming an anti-censorship attraction for
2394-558: The co-princes' approval. In 1989 the Principality signed an agreement with the European Economic Community to regularize trade relations. The Histories (Polybius) Polybius ' Histories ( Ancient Greek : Ἱστορίαι Historíai ) were originally written in 40 volumes, only the first five of which are extant in their entirety. The bulk of the work was passed down through collections of excerpts kept in libraries in
2457-589: The construction of casinos and spas by foreign companies. From 7 to 9 June 1881, the loyalists of Canillo and Encamp reconquered the parishes of Ordino and La Massana by establishing contact with the revolutionary forces in Escaldes-Engordany . After a day of combat the Treaty of the Bridge of Escalls was signed on 10 June. The council was replaced and new elections were held. The economic situation worsened, as
2520-399: The country and wealth through the establishment of a tax haven and foreign investments, received the support of the members of the General Council to proclaim himself the sovereign of Andorra. On 8 July 1934 Boris issued a proclamation in Urgell, declaring himself Boris I, King of Andorra, simultaneously declaring war on the Bishop of Urgell and approving the King's constitution on 10 July. He
2583-401: The country has seen the need to reform Andorran institutions due to anachronisms in sovereignty, human rights and the balance of powers as well as the need to adapt legislation to modern demands. In 1982 a first separation of powers took place when instituting the Govern d'Andorra, under the name of the executive board (Consell Executiu), chaired by the first prime minister Òscar Ribas Reig with
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2646-417: The country was characterized by the social system of prohoms (wealthy society) and casalers (rest of the population with smaller economic acquisition), deriving from the tradition of pubilla and hereu . Three centuries after its foundation, the Consell de la Terra located its headquarters and the Tribunal de Corts in Casa de la Vall in 1702. The manor house built in 1580 served as a noble fortress of
2709-457: The end of the 11th century, the first iron foundries began to appear in Northern Parishes like Ordino , much appreciated by the master artisans who developed the art of the forges, an important economic activity in the country from the 15th century. In 1601 the Tribunal de Corts (High Court of Justice) was created as a result of Huguenot rebellions in France , Inquisition courts coming from Spain and witchcraft-related beliefs native to
2772-453: The groups of hunter-gatherers from Ariege and Segre . During the Neolithic , a group of people moved to the Valley of Madriu (the present-day Natural Park located in Escaldes-Engordany declared UNESCO World Heritage Site ) as a permanent camp in 6640 BCE. The population of the valley grew cereals, raised domestic livestock, and developed commercial trade with people from Ségre and Occitania . Other archaeological deposits include
2835-399: The introduction of tobacco circa 1692 and import trade. In 1371 and 1448, the co-princes ratified the fair of Andorra la Vella, the most important annual national festival commercially ever since. The country had a unique and experienced guild of weavers, Confraria de Paraires i Teixidors, in Escaldes-Engordany . Founded in 1604, it took advantage of the local thermal waters. By this time,
2898-407: The medieval bridges of Margineda and Escalls among many others. The Catalan Pyrenees were embryonic of the Catalan language at the end of the 11th century. Andorra was influenced by this language, which was adopted locally decades before it expanded to the rest of the Crown of Aragon. The local economy during the Middle Ages was based on livestock, agriculture, furs and weavers. Later, at
2961-469: The national consciousness of the valleys was exposed in the romantic work during the Peninsular War. In 1933 France occupied Andorra following social unrest which occurred before elections due to the Revolution of 1933 and the FHASA strikes (Vagues de FHASA); the revolt led by Joves Andorrans (a labour union group related to the Spanish CNT and FAI ) called for political reforms, the universal suffrage vote of all Andorrans and acted in defense of
3024-414: The official language, Catalan. Romantic authors from France and Spain reported the awakening of the national consciousness of the country. Jacint Verdaguer lived in Ordino during the 1880s where he wrote and shared works related to the Renaixença with writer and photographer Joaquim de Riba . In 1848, Fromental Halévy had premiered the opera Le val d'Andorre to great success in Europe, where
3087-400: The period in which Rome came to dominate the Mediterranean, from the defeat of Hannibal in 201 BC to the destruction of Carthage and the Greek city-state of Corinth in 146 BC. Tyche , which means fate or fortune, plays an integral role in Polybius’ understanding of history. Tyche takes on a double meaning in his work. It can mean fortune or happenstance, but tyche was also personified as
3150-404: The political organization of the country named the figure of the syndic (now spokesman and president of the parliament) as representative of the Andorrans to their co-princes, making possible the creation of local departments (comuns, quarts and veïnats). After being ratified by Bishop Francesc Tovia and Count John I , the Consell de la Terra or Consell General de les Valls (General Council of
3213-429: The populace was divided over the Qüestió d'Andorra – the "Andorran Question" in relation to the Eastern Question . The struggles continued between pro-bishops, pro-French, and nationalists based on the troubles of Canillo in 1882 and 1885. Andorra participated in the cultural movement of the Catalan Renaixença . Between 1882 and 1887, the first academic schools were formed where trilingualism coexisted with
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#17328906178513276-602: The protection of its sovereignty. Andorra was relatively unscathed by the two world wars and the Spanish Civil War. Certain groups formed to help victims of oppression in Nazi -occupied countries, while participating in smuggling to help Andorra survive. Among the most prominent was the Hostal Palanques Evasion Network Command, which, in contact with the British MI6 , helped almost 400 fugitives, among whom were Allied military personnel. The Command remained active between 1941 and 1944, although there were struggles with pro-Axis informers and Gestapo agents in Andorra. In
3339-477: The rights of local and foreign workers during the construction of FHASA's hydroelectric power station in Encamp . On 5 April 1933 Joves Andorrans seized the Andorran Parliament. These actions were preceded by the arrival of Colonel René-Jules Baulard with 50 gendarmes and the mobilization of 200 local militias or sometent led by the Síndic Francesc Cairat. On 6 July 1934, adventurer and nobleman Boris Skossyreff , with his promise of freedoms and modernization of
3402-409: The rise to the pinnacle of their power and the downfall to the caprice of fortune. It is chiefly because the Athenians had such leaders as Themistocles , and the Thebans Pelopidas and Epaminondas , that the two states have on their side the favors of fortune for a time. The view of Polybius on the age of Pericles might, to some extent, be considered as contrary to what most modern historians thought
3465-406: The sometent (popular militia or army) to deal with the rise of bandolerisme ( brigandage ) and the Consell de la Terra was defined and structured in terms of its composition, organization and competences current today. Andorra continued with the same economic system that it had during the 12th–14th centuries with a large production of metallurgy (fargues, a system similar to Farga Catalana) and with
3528-421: The south . Believed to have been created by Charlemagne , Andorra was ruled by the count of Urgell until 988, when it was transferred to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Urgell . The present principality was formed by a charter in 1278 . It is currently headed by two co-princes: the Bishop of Urgell in Catalonia , Spain, and the president of France . Its capital and largest city is Andorra la Vella . Andorra
3591-508: The strength of a state is manifested in the strength of its constitution. The mixed constitution was touted as the strongest constitution as it combined Aristotle's three integral types of government : monarchy , aristocracy and democracy . Polybius, again in imitation of Aristotle, makes further distinction in the forms of government by including the nefarious counterparts to the ones mentioned above; tyranny , oligarchy , and ochlocracy . These governments, according to Polybius, cycle in
3654-405: The tunnel was started in 2005 but was halted in 2009 after one of the viaducts at the La Massana entrance collapsed and killed 5 Portuguese construction workers. The tunnel cost over €160 million to build and it is estimated that 2500 vehicles per day will use the tunnel. Authorization for bicycle circulation inside the tunnel Mobilitat authorizes the passage of bicycles in both directions of
3717-406: The valleys of the High Pyrenees were covered by large tracts of forest. These regions were not administered by Muslims , because of the geographic difficulty of direct rule. Other theories suggest that the term derives from the Navarro-Aragonese "andurrial", which means "land covered with bushes" or "scrubland". The folk etymology holds that Charlemagne had named the region as a reference to
3780-426: Was an important smuggling route between Vichy France and Francoist Spain. Many Andorrans criticized the passivity of the General Council for impeding both the entry and expulsion of foreigners and refugees, committing economic crimes, reducing the rights of citizens and sympathy with Francoism . General Council members justified the council's political and diplomatic actions as necessary for Andorra's survival and
3843-424: Was arrested by the Co-Prince and Bishop Justí Guitart i Vilardebó and their authorities on 20 July and ultimately expelled from Spain . From 1936 until 1940, a French military detachment of Garde Mobile led by well-known Colonel René-Jules Baulard was garrisoned in Andorra to secure the principality against disruption from the Spanish Civil War and Francoist Spain and also face the rise of Republicanism in
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#17328906178513906-414: Was the Golden Age of Greece. He then compares the political system of the Roman state to that of the Cretans, the Spartans, and shows in what aspect the laws of Rome are superior to those of the Carthaginians. He concludes that the success of the Roman state was based on their mixed constitution, which combined elements of a democracy , aristocracy , and monarchy . The remainder of the Histories discusses
3969-427: Was the promotion of Catalan writings in Andorra, with cultural works such as the Book of Privileges ( Llibre de Privilegis de 1674 ), Manual Digest (1748) by Antoni Fiter i Rossell or the Polità andorrà (1763) by Antoni Puig. After the French Revolution , Napoleon I reestablished the Co-Principate in 1809 and removed the French medieval title. In 1812–1813, the First French Empire annexed Catalonia during
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