We stay this week in Andorra, but this time we look at the Spanish postage stamps. Andorra, officially the Principality of Andorra, is a small landlocked country in southwestern Europe, located in the eastern Pyrenees mountains and bordered by Spain and France. The Principality was formed in 1278. The role of monarch is exercised jointly by the two co-princes, the President of the French Republic and the Bishop of Urgell, Catalan Countries. Therefore, Andorra has French and Spanish stamps, issued by France and Spain, respectively. The Andorran costume is very similar to the Catalan costumes worn in France and Spain. For women the costume features a full, mostly flowered skirt over a white petticoat; a blouse (sometimes covered by a flowered shawl); long, black, fingerless net gloves; and black espadrilles (cloth sandals) with white stockings. The traditional costume for men is a white shirt, dark knee-length pants, white stockings, black shoes, broad red sashes tied at the waist and the barretina (the traditional Catalan cap). The stamps above are from a series of 1972 celebrating Andorran customs. They show "Les Caramelles" (traditional Easter songs choir) and La Marratxa (a traditional dance representing the two co-princes dancing with the six parishes), respectively. The next two stamps are from 1975 ("Espana 75" International Stamp Exhibition in Madrid) and 1978 (50th Anniversary of Spanish Post Office), respectively. They both show postmen delivering post at ladies in traditional costumes. These last pictures show a series of 3 stamps with traditional costumes from 1979 (a you woman, a young man and newly-weds) and 1 stamp of the yearly Europa Stamp series, which was about "Folklore and Feasts" in 1981, showing people dancing the Santa Anna dance. You can find Andorra on this map of France:
Andorra la Vella is picturesque, but many tourists want to know if it offers many things to do. Includes travel tips and photos.
Among the dwarf states of Europe, the Principality of Andorra is the largest. Until quite recently, it was an absolute monarchy. It was governed not by one, but two princes, and both are not citizens of Andorra. They don't even live in Andorra. To make the case even more curious, it is not a hereditary monarchy. Andorra is an old country. It was established in and has been independent since 1278 after a long and costly war between France and Spain. The disputed territory was not valuable in resources or cities. Andorra was strategically placed on major medieval trading and military routes through the Pyrenees Mountains. In a treaty between Spain and France, it was established as a principality with two reigning princes. The Bishop of Seu d’Urgell in Spain and the Count of Foix in France were chosen to represent the interests of their respective country in the governance of the principality. This condominium endured for over 500 years when the French revolutionary government rescinded all contracts signed by the kings of France. When Napoleon seized power, he reaffirmed all previous contracts and treaties. As the family of Foix had completely perished during the revolution, he assumed the part of the counts himself thereby gathering more power to his office at the same time. Since then, the head of state of France is also Prince of Andorra irrespective of his worldly status as emperor, king, or president (all of which were applicable during the last 200 odd years). François Hollande is therefore at this time head of state for both countries, France and Andorra. The present Bishop of Seu d’Urgell is still his counterpart in this curious contraption. Andorra got its first written constitution in 1993. Up to that point it had been an absolute monarchy. It was reconstituted as an constitutional monarchy with the two princes in merely representative roles. An exception was made for foreign politics in which both princes have the right to veto any decision by government or parliament. The country uses the Euro without being part of either the European Union or the monetary union behind the Euro. Andorra is one of those tax havens so deplored by politicians who have milked their own countries dry by lining their pockets and those of their followers. Wolfgang Schaeuble as Minister of Finances in Germany should maybe have a talk with rich and mighty Prince Hollande about Andorra, instead of publicly attacking places where people pay taxes. Andorra doesn't know the word taxes, I think, though a value added tax has come into force some years back at a nominal level. Andorra is most efficiently doing its shady dealings under the protection of both France and Spain with the full approval of the shady politicians on both sides of the Pyrenees Mountains. The Catholic Church is state religion in Andorra, and Catalan is the national language, though there are large Spanish and French minorities. The main income of the country stems from its banks and from tourism. It is renowned for its skiing with French and Spanish tourists alike. Andorra has no army but relies on Spain and France to protect it instead. Further Reading: Europe's Elected Monarchs Not All That Glitters: Princes The Title Conundrum of Monaco
As you may know, I’m traveling to every country in the world, and that requires me to visit all the small nations in Europe I’ve skipped before. So after I…
This is where the Pyrenees Mountains become your playground. Discover Mountain Hostel Tarter, our 5 Star Hostel nestled in an old farmhouse.
Good times in the most pleasant Andorra La Vella high in the Pyrenees Mountains.
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Physical map of Liechtenstein showing major cities, terrain, national parks, rivers, and surrounding countries with international borders and outline maps. Key facts about Liechtenstein.
Arcalis wetland. Basses del Port de Rat, view to Pic de Tristaina (right), La Coma, Arcalis, Ordino, Vall nord, Andorra, Pyrenees More Arcalis & Ordino parroquia images: Follow the group links at right side. ....... About this image: * Full frame format quality image * Usage: Large format prints optional * Motive is suitable as symbol pic * "Andorra authentic" edition (10 years decade 2008-2018) * "Andorra camis & rutes" active collection * 2000+ collection: „Beyond the treeline“ A how-to about "Altitude 2000+ collection" please read here: www.flickr.com/photos/lutzmeyer/30762542358/ We offer 100.000+ photos of Andorra and North of Spain. HighRes & HighColor GeoCoded stock-photo images with metadata in 4 languages. Prepared for easy organising and advanced publishing for print and internet as Culture-GIS (Geographic Info System). The big stockphoto collection from the Pyrenees. More information about usage, tips, how-to, conditions: www.flickr.com/people/lutzmeyer/. Get quality, data consistency, stable organisation and PR environments: Professional stockphotos for exciting stories - docu, tales, mystic. Ask for licence! lutz(at)lutz-meyer.com
When Ian Botham told friends he was visiting Andorra for a spot of fly fishing, they struggled to place it. But after a top-class trip featuring fine food and memorable catches, it won't be long until it's firmly on the map.
Andorra may be one of Europe's smallest states, but it stands out with its unique blend of history, diplomacy, and geography. Tucked away in the Pyrenees
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Andorra la Vella is the most unique city I’ve visited. Nestled between France and Spain, the country of Andorra is said to be a mixture of the two but it’s also more than that. It̵…
Excursión circular por los lagos de Tristaina, una de las zonas más bonitas del pirineo de Andorra en un fácil recorrido de unas tres horas de duración con estupendas vistas a los lagos y al Pirineo.
Barcelona and Andorra are two places that I probably wouldn't have thought to visit on my own. Barcelona seemed a bit too touristy and (maybe) boring to me, while I had never heard anything good
Andorra is indisputably one of Europe’s best kept secrets, with mountains and lakes, historic buildings and museums, and quaint villages.
