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GEOGRAPHY

The Principality of Andorra is a small state in the heart of the Pyrenees, situated between France (Pyrénées Orientales and Ariège) to the North and Spain (Catalonia : Department of Alt Urgell) to the South. Andorra shares a border of 57 km and 64 km with these two countries.

The Principality is especially known for the natural beauty of its 3 valleys, two of which date from the Ice Age, while the other was created by river erosion.

The Principality covers an area of 467.7 km2. It is situated at 42° 39'15" North and 1 °47'19" East.

Andorra is a mountainous country; the highest point of the country is the Coma pedrosa at 2946 metres and its lowest point can be foud at the confluence of the Runer and Valira rivers at 840 metres. The climate is healthy. It is influenced by both the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, mostly so at the Pas de la Casa (N.E of the country).
There is some eternal snow, but the climate of the Principality is essentially continental with temperatures ranging from -2°C in winter to 30°C in summer.
In summer the fresh air moderates any excessive heat, while during the night temperatures often drop to about 0°C high up in the mountains.

Water is one of the most important natural resources of Andorra.
The richness of the flow of the Valira and Madriu rivers has allowed the use of hydroelectric energy since the 1930s.
The concession granted in 1929 to develop this resource for generating electricity resulted in the construction of the country's main roads and made possible the installation of an electrical grid. The next step in opening up the country was the establishment of a radio station (1935), which has made the name of the Principality of Andorra known throughout the world.

The official language of Andorra is Catalan, but French and Spanish are widely used as well, owing to the economic and social links with France and Spain.
These days Andorrans are increasingly using English for commercial purposes.

For administrative purposes the Andorran territory is divided into seven parishes: Canillo, Encamp , Ordino, La Massana, Andorra la Vella, Saint Julià de Lòria and Escaldes-Engordany.(http://www.andorra.ad/catala/parroquia.htm)