Legend has it that Andorra was founded by Charlemagne in 805, but if we are to rely on the archaeological discoveries made during the nineteen-eighties, there are traces of the first inhabitants of the valleys dating back to 9,000 years B.C.
In the Middle Ages, Andorra belonged to the Count of Urgall, then to the Viscount of Castelbó.
Later, their land passed into the hands of the Count of Foix and the Bishop of Urgell, until the thirteenth century, when they decided to divide the land because of disputes.
From that time onwards, the Bishop of Urgell and the King of France governed Andorra, and this is still the case today, except that today France is a republic, so it is the President of the Republic who governs Andorra.
Apart from a short period of annexation by Napoleon for the French government, the political status of principality has been maintained since the thirteenth century.
During the fifteenth century the Counts of Foix became Kings of Navarre. A century later, in 1589, the King of Navarre, the Count of Foix, the Viscount and the lords of Bearn and of Andorran lands rose up against the throne of France. In 1419, the first form of self-government in Andorra ended with the Conseil de la Terre (Land Council).
In the nineteenth century, politics in Andorra changed, and a democracy was established, in which heads of families had the right to vote and to choose their representatives.
Current situation
Today, Andorra is a Constitutional Parliamentary Principality. Its constitution dates from 1993 (14th March), and, as in the thirteenth century, power is vested in the Bishop of Seu d’Urgell and the President of the French Republic.
Its territory is divided into ‘parishes’, which correspond to what in large towns and cities are called ‘districts’, and its capital is Andorre la Vella.
Architectural heritage
Some of the best examples of the country’s heritage of Roman art are to be found in Andorra la Vella.
Cultural visits
Andorra invites you to discover and stroll around the most magical places.
Andorran gastronomy is based on the most traditional mountain cuisine, and also on some of the most innovative of the new trends.