General Information

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:

More information about hotels in Andorra can be found on the following website :

http://visitandorra.com/en/sleeping/.

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.