Europe is a fascinating, if complex, patchwork of different countries and cultures, each boasting distinct identities despite many sharing common histories.
It is precisely this variety that helps to attract millions of visitors to the continent, with no two countries exactly the same.
One of Europe’s most striking political features are its many principalities, some of which are still ruled over by monarchial dynasties.
Think of Liechtenstein or Monaco, where the famous Hollywood actress Grace Kelly was once a princess.
The tiny country of Andorra is also a principality, technically ruled over by both the Bishop of Urgell and the President of France – both of whom are co-princes.
This peculiarity makes the President of France, in his capacity as prince of Andorra, an elected monarch, although he is not chosen by a popular vote of the Andorran people.
Real political power, though, lies with the prime minister and parliament, which is one of the oldest and smallest in Europe, having been established in 1419 and with just 28 MPs.
Andorra is a landlocked country located in the Pyrenees mountain range between Spain and France.
It is also one of the smallest countries, occupying approximately 468 square kilometres.
Ninety percent of the land is made up of mountains, forests, rivers, lakes and meadows, with only around four percent built on.
It makes a great destination for hikers, keen to explore the outstanding beauty of Andorra’s natural landscapes.
With over 100 mountain trails crisscrossing the territory, it is possible to travel across the country without having to walk on tarmac.
The country is perhaps best known for its ski resorts with over 186 miles of slopes, making it Southern Europe’s largest winter sports area.
An astonishing 10 percent of the country has been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
Most Andorrans are able to speak three languages – Catalan, French and Spanish – making them multi-lingual.
Not only do they speak many languages, but on average Andorrans live longer than most others – life expectancy in the country is the fifth highest in the world.
