General Information
16 - 18 July 2019
ABOUT ANDORRA
Andorra is a country of 468 sq. km. and 78.264 inhabitants, located between France (Ariège-Oriental Pyrénées) and Spain (Catalonia), in the heart of the Pyrenees Mountains.
Andorra has a high mountain climate with Mediterranean influences. It also has a high percentage of sunshine and a generally dry climate. The highest rainfall is recorded in autumn, while winter precipitation is mostly in the form of snow.
Most people live in the Principality’s two main towns, Andorra la Vella and Escaldes- Engordany.
Economic development and high levels of immigration in the second half of the 20th century have contributed to the range of nationalities that make up contemporary Andorran society. Andorra is one of the few countries in the world with a higher number of foreigners than nationals: only 46% of the population has the Andorran nationality.
Catalan is the only official language. However, Spanish and French are also spoken.
ABOUT THE POLITICAL SYSTEM IN ANDORRA AND ITS PARLIAMENT
Andorra is a Parliamentary Coprincipality. In accordance with the institutional tradition of Andorra, the Coprinces are, jointly and indivisibly, the Head of State, and they stand for its highest representation. The Coprinces, an institution which has its origins in mediaeval documents known as Pareatges and their historical evolution, are, in their personal and exclusive right, the Bishop of Urgell and the President of the French Republic. Their powers are equal and derive nowadays from the Constitution (1993).
The Andorran Parliament, called Consell General, was created in 1419. It was then called Consell de la Terra (Council of the Land). There are currently 28 members of parliament who are elected every four years by direct universal suffrage: 14 from a single national constituency and 14 from territorial constituencies.
600 YEARS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE LAND
In 1419, the Council of the Land (Consell de la Terra) was established as the first Parliamentary form with representatives from all of the parishes to deal with the problems of the community.
In 2019, Andorra will celebrate the Council of the Land 600th Anniversary. The Council of the Land has evolved throughout history and its modern and constitutional form, the General Council, is the Andorran Parliament and is quite similar to other parliaments in democratic countries.
Holding the 71st Conference of the International Commission for the History of Representative and Parliamentary Institutions will be an opportunity, in the context of the celebration of the 600th Anniversary of the Council of Land, to discuss with experts from all over the world about the historical evolution of representative institutions.
VENUE OF THE SESSION
The Parliament will try to ensure that all the meetings take place at the:
Congress Centre in Andorra la Vella (Centre de Congressos d’Andorra la Vella) Plaça del Poble s. n.
AD500 – Andorra la Vella
Tel : +376 730 005
Email: centredecongressos@comuandorra.ad
Website: http://turisme.andorralavella/ciutat-congressos
Google Maps: http://bit.ly/2q5CtSX
HOTELS AND ACCOMMODATION
The Parliament will try to ensure bookings at preferential rates for the participants at the following hotels:
ANDORRA PARK HOTEL (* * * * *) Andorra la Vella C/ les Canals, 24 Tel. (+376) 877 777 |
HOTEL HOLIDAY INN (* * * * *) Andorra la Vella C/ Prat de la Creu, 88 Tel. (+376) 874 444 |
HOTEL PLAZA (* * * * *) Andorra la Vella C/ Maria Pla, 19 Tel. (+376) 879 444 |
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HOTEL ANDORRA PALACE (* * *) Andorra la Vella Av. Meritxell, 58 Tel. (+376) 873 601 |
HOTEL DE L’ISARD (* * *) Andorra la Vella Av. Meritxell, 34 Tel. (+376) 873 801 |
HOTEL PYRÉNÉES (* * *) Andorra la Vella Av. Príncep Benlloch, 20 Tel. (+376) 873 601 |
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HOTEL ART HOTEL (* * * *) Andorra la Vella C/ Prat de la Creu, 15 Tel. (+376) 760 303 |
HOTEL NOVOTEL (* * * *) Andorra la Vella C/ Prat de la Creu, 11 Tel. (+376) 873 603 |
HOTEL MERCURE (* * * *) Andorra la Vella C/ de la Roda, 1 Tel. (+376) 873 602 |
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More information about hotels in Andorra can be found on the following website :
TRAVEL TO/FROM ANDORRA
The best way to travel to Andorra is through Barcelona (El Prat) Airport, Spain.
There are regular bus services that run between the airport and Andorra:
www.andorrabybus.com www.andorradirectbus.es
There is also private transportation available:
Mr. Manel LARA - Tel.: +376 321686 (info@limusineslara.com)
Mr. Xavier FOLGUERA - Tel.: +376 321679 (contact@taxisfolguera.com) Mr. Toni ZAMORA - Tel.: +376 323074 (az@sedepsa.com)
The estimated travel time from Barcelona Airport to Andorra is 3:00 hours. Another option to travel to Andorra is through Toulouse Airport, France. PASSPORTS AND VISAS
Important:
All participants should check beforehand if they need a visa to cross France or Spain. It is recommended not to wait until the last moment for visa applications.
Travelers must hold a valid passport to enter Andorra. Nationals from the Schengen area may use their identity cards. The Principality of Andorra does not require an entry visa.
However, given that the only road access points run through the territory of Spain and France, participants who require a visa to cross either Spanish or French territory must contact the Spanish Consulate or the French Consulate in their country of origin, and apply for a Schengen visa.
If a Schengen visa is required, we recommend applying for a double-entry visa or a multiple entry visa, in case you plan on going on an excursion outside Andorran territory.
CLIMATE AND TIME ZONE
Andorra la Vella lies 1000 meters above sea level. Andorra enjoys a mountain Mediterranean climate, a little bit cold but pleasant, with numerous sunny days (300 per year). The weather in Andorra is mostly sunny in July, with occasional showers in the afternoon. Temperatures could be as low as 10 degrees Celsius at night and reach
29 degrees during the day.
From the end of March to the end of October, there is Summer time (CET + 1 hour).
CURRENCY AND BANKING
Andorra uses the euro (€). Most common credit cards are accepted everywhere. Cash can be withdrawn from ATM machines in the city anytime.
Banks are open from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 to 17:00. It is possible to exchange money at the Barcelona airport currency exchange points.
ELECTRICITY
The voltage in Andorra, as in most of Europe, is 230 V/50 Hz. Andorra uses European-type plugs (2-pin). A transformer and an adaptor may be necessary (to convert 3-pin plugs to 2-pin plugs).
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
The international code for Andorra is +376. Access to Wi-Fi will be available at the Centre de Congressos d’Andorra la Vella. Internet access by Wi-Fi will also be available in every hotel.
SMOKE-FREE POLICY
Smoking is forbidden in all public places, restaurants, bars, public transport, etc.
TOURISTIC INFORMATION
The multilingual website http://visitandorra.com/en/ contains touristic and practical information about Andorra.
PLACES TO VISIT
General Council and Casa de la Vall
During the 71st Conference, the Parliament will organize guided tours to the new seat of the General Council and Casa de la Vall (the House of the Valley). Situated in the centre of Andorra la Vella, Casa de la Vall is a central point worth visiting in order to understand the remarkable history and solid institutional basis of the Principality of Andorra.
It is a noble building dating from the late 16th century. In 1702 it became the seat of the General Council.
All the functions of the Andorran government, administration and justice took place in the same building during. The needs of growth meant that other premises had to be used and led to the building in 2011 of a new home for the parliamentary institution. Since then, Casa de la Vall is still in use by the Parliament on special occasions.
Other attractions:
Casa d’Areny-Plandolit Museum: a noble house from the 17th century (www.museus.ad ).
Farga Rossell: a 19th century forge ( www.museus.ad ).
Romanesque Churches, with guided tours to some of the 40 Romanesque churches and monuments in Andorra.
Basilica Sanctuary of Meritxell (www.santuaridemeritxell.com ).
Thyssen Museum (www.museucarmenthyssenandorra.ad ).
Museu del Tabac – Antiga Fàbrica Reig (www.museudeltabac.com ).
Natural Parks: Sorteny Valley, Comapedrosa Valley, Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley.
Caldea and Inúu Spa (www.caldea.com ).