Andorra

an-dor'ra, a mountain republic on the border line between France and Spain. It may be reached from France by a small river; from Spain by a dangerous mule path. It has an area of 175 square miles, and a population (1909) of 5,231. It is governed by a council of twenty-four members elected for four years by the heads of families in each parish. It is surrounded by high mountains, and has rich mines of lead and iron. The inhabitants are hospitable and industrious, and are engaged largely in farming and cattle raising. Andorra has been independent since the time of Charlemagne, although France and a Spanish bishop exercise a sort of joint protectorship. The customs and institutions have in many respects remained unchanged for centuries. They have been made the subject of study by a number of scholars and historians. The country has no written laws. The people are Catholics and speak the French language. There were originally a great number of these small states in medieval Europe. Andorra and one or two others are all that survive. The rest were absorbed by the larger states. It is claimed that descendants of petty German princes may be found driving street cars in Berlin.