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Compare Switzerland (2005) - Andorra (2006)

Compare Switzerland (2005) z Andorra (2006)

 Switzerland (2005)Andorra (2006)
 SwitzerlandAndorra
Administrative divisions 26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; kantone, singular - kanton in German); Aargau, Appenzell Ausser-Rhoden, Appenzell Inner-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubunden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, Zurich 7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, Escaldes-Engordany, La Massana, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria
Age structure 0-14 years: 16.6% (male 643,497/female 597,565)


15-64 years: 68% (male 2,570,544/female 2,522,365)


65 years and over: 15.4% (male 472,769/female 682,630) (2005 est.)
0-14 years: 14.7% (male 5,456/female 4,994)


15-64 years: 71.4% (male 26,632/female 24,172)


65 years and over: 14% (male 4,918/female 5,029) (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs small quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables; sheep
Airports 65 (2004 est.) -
Airports - with paved runways total: 42


over 3,047 m: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 5


1,524 to 2,437 m: 10


914 to 1,523 m: 8


under 914 m: 16 (2004 est.)
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Airports - with unpaved runways total: 23


under 914 m: 23 (2004 est.)
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Area total: 41,290 sq km


land: 39,770 sq km


water: 1,520 sq km
total: 468 sq km


land: 468 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Background The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. Switzerland's sovreignty and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and the country was not involved in either of the two World Wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations, but retains a strong commitment to neutrality. For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality, ruled by French and Spanish leaders (from 1607 onward, the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Urgel). In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads of state retained, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy. Long isolated and impoverished, mountainous Andorra achieved considerable prosperity since World War II through its tourist industry. Many immigrants (legal and illegal) are attracted to the thriving economy with its lack of income taxes.
Birth rate 9.77 births/1,000 population (2005 est.) 8.71 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Budget revenues: $131.5 billion


expenditures: $140.4 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2004 est.)
revenues: $373.5 million


expenditures: $373.5 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2004)
Capital Bern name: Andorra la Vella


geographic coordinates: 42 30 N, 1 30 E


time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)


daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Climate temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution revision of Constitution of 1874 approved by the Federal Parliament 18 December 1998, adopted by referendum 18 April 1999, officially entered into force 1 January 2000 Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991, approved by referendum 14 March 1993, effective 4 May 1993
Country name conventional long form: Swiss Confederation


conventional short form: Switzerland


local long form: Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German), Confederation Suisse (French), Confederazione Svizzera (Italian)


local short form: Schweiz (German), Suisse (French), Svizzera (Italian)
conventional long form: Principality of Andorra


conventional short form: Andorra


local long form: Principat d'Andorra


local short form: Andorra
Death rate 8.48 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.) 6.25 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Debt - external $NA (2000) $NA
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Pamela P. WILLEFORD


embassy: Jubilaumsstrasse 93, CH-3005 Bern


mailing address: use embassy street address


telephone: [41] (031) 357 70 11


FAX: [41] (031) 357 73 44
the US does not have an embassy in Andorra; the US Ambassador to Spain is accredited to Andorra; US interests in Andorra are represented by the Consulate General's office in Barcelona (Spain); mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; telephone: [34] (3) 280-2227; FAX: [34] (3) 205-5206
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Christian BLICKENSTORFER


chancery: 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 745-7900


FAX: [1] (202) 387-2564


consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco


consulate(s): Boston
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jelena V. PIA-COMELLA


chancery: 2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017


telephone: [1] (212) 750-8064


FAX: [1] (212) 750-6630
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - donor ODA, $1.1 billion (1995) -
Economic aid - recipient - none
Economy - overview Switzerland is a peaceful, prosperous, and stable modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP larger than that of the big Western European economies. The Swiss in recent years have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance their international competitiveness. Switzerland remains a safe haven for investors, because it has maintained a degree of bank secrecy and has kept up the franc's long-term external value. Reflecting the anemic economic conditions of Europe, GDP growth dropped in 2001 to about 0.8%, to 0.2% in 2002, and to -0.3% in 2003, with a small rise to 1.8% in 2004. Even so, unemployment has remained at less than half the EU average. Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy, accounts for more than 80% of GDP. An estimated 11.6 million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and by its summer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative advantage has recently eroded as the economies of neighboring France and Spain have been opened up, providing broader availability of goods and lower tariffs. The banking sector, with its partial "tax haven" status, also contributes substantially to the economy. Agricultural production is limited - only 2% of the land is arable - and most food has to be imported. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising. Manufacturing output consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, and furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs) and as a non-EU member for agricultural products.
Electricity - consumption 54.53 billion kWh (2002) NA kWh
Electricity - exports 32.3 billion kWh (2002) NA kWh
Electricity - imports 27.8 billion kWh (2002) NA kWh; note - most electricity supplied by Spain and France; Andorra generates a small amount of hydropower
Electricity - production 63.47 billion kWh (2002) NA kWh
Elevation extremes lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m


highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m
lowest point: Riu Runer 840 m


highest point: Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m
Environment - current issues air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil erosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal
Environment - international agreements party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
party to: Hazardous Wastes


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6% Spanish 43%, Andorran 33%, Portuguese 11%, French 7%, other 6% (1998)
Exchange rates Swiss francs per US dollar - 1.2435 (2004), 1.3467 (2003), 1.5586 (2002), 1.6876 (2001), 1.6888 (2000) euros per US dollar - 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001)
Executive branch chief of state: President Samuel SCHMID (since 1 January 2005); Vice President Moritz LEUENBERGER (since 1 January 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Samuel SCHMID (since 1 January 2005); Vice President Moritz LEUENBERGER (since 1 January 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) elected by the Federal Assembly usually from among its own members for a four-year term


elections: president and vice president elected by the Federal Assembly from among the members of the Federal Council for one-year terms that run concurrently; election last held 8 December 2004 (next to be held December 2005)


election results: Samuel SCHMID elected president; percent of Federal Assembly vote - 70.7%; Moritz LEUENBERGER elected vice president; percent of legislative vote - 64.8%
chief of state: French Coprince Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995), represented by Philippe MASSONI (since 26 July 2002); Spanish Coprince Bishop Joan Enric VIVES i SICILIA (since 12 May 2003), represented by Nemesi MARQUES i OSTE (since NA)


head of government: Executive Council President Albert PINTAT SANTOLARIA (since 27 May 2005)


cabinet: Executive Council or Govern designated by the Executive Council president


elections: Executive Council president elected by the General Council and formally appointed by the coprinces for a four-year term; election last held 24 April 2005 (next to be held April-May 2009)


election results: Albert PINTAT SANTOLARIA elected executive council president; percent of General Council vote - NA
Exports 10,420 bbl/day (2001) $145 million f.o.b. (2004)
Exports - commodities machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products tobacco products, furniture
Exports - partners Germany 20.2%, US 10.5%, France 8.7%, Italy 8.3%, UK 5.1%, Spain 4% (2004) Spain 58%, France 34% (2004)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the coat of arms features a quartered shield; similar to the flags of Chad and Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in the center, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 1.5%


industry: 34%


services: 64.5% (2003 est.)
agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: NA%
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $33,800 (2004 est.) -
GDP - real growth rate 1.8% (2004 est.) 4% (2004 est.)
Geographic coordinates 47 00 N, 8 00 E 42 30 N, 1 30 E
Geography - note landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in the Pyrenees
Heliports 2 (2004 est.) -
Highways total: 71,212 km


paved: 71,212 km (including 1,706 of expressways)


unpaved: 0 km (2002)
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Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 2.6%


highest 10%: 25.2% (1992)
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs a major international financial center vulnerable to the layering and integration stages of money laundering; despite significant legislation and reporting requirements, secrecy rules persist and nonresidents are permitted to conduct business through offshore entities and various intermediaries; transit country for and consumer of South American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin -
Imports 289,500 bbl/day (2001) $1.077 billion (1998)
Imports - commodities machinery, chemicals, vehicles, metals; agricultural products, textiles consumer goods, food, electricity
Imports - partners Germany 32.8%, Italy 11.3%, France 9.9%, US 5.2%, Netherlands 5%, Austria 4.3% (2004) Spain 51.5%, France 22.3%, US 0.3% (2004)
Independence 1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation) 1278 (formed under the joint suzerainty of the French count of Foix and the Spanish bishop of Urgel)
Industrial production growth rate 4.7% (2004 est.) NA%
Industries machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments tourism (particularly skiing), cattle raising, timber, banking
Infant mortality rate total: 4.39 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 4.9 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 3.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
total: 4.04 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 4.38 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 3.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 0.9% (2004 est.) 3.4% (2004)
International organization participation ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC CE, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, OIF, OIF (associate member), OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WToO, WTO (observer)
Irrigated land 250 sq km (1998 est.) NA
Judicial branch Federal Supreme Court (judges elected for six-year terms by the Federal Assembly) Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courts or Tribunal de Corts; Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or Tribunal Superior de Justicia d'Andorra; Supreme Council of Justice or Consell Superior de la Justicia; Fiscal Ministry or Ministeri Fiscal; Constitutional Tribunal or Tribunal Constitucional
Labor force 3.77 million (2004 est.) 48,740 (2004)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 4.6%, industry 26.3%, services 69.1% (1998) agriculture: 0.34%


industry: 19.63%


services: 80.03% (2004)
Land boundaries total: 1,852 km


border countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km
total: 120.3 km


border countries: France 56.6 km, Spain 63.7 km
Land use arable land: 10.42%


permanent crops: 0.61%


other: 88.97% (2001)
arable land: 2.13%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 97.87% (2005)
Languages German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 20.4%, Italian (official) 6.5%, Serbo-Croatian 1.5%, Albanian 1.3%, Portuguese 1.2%, Spanish 1.1%, English 1%, Romansch 0.5%, other 2.8% (2000 census)


note: German, French, Italian, and Romansch are all national languages, but only the first three are official languages
Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese
Legal system civil law system influenced by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts, except with respect to federal decrees of general obligatory character; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung (in German), Assemblee Federale (in French), Assemblea Federale (in Italian) consists of the Council of States or Standerat (in German), Conseil des Etats (in French), Consiglio degli Stati (in Italian) (46 seats - members serve four-year terms) and the National Council or Nationalrat (in German), Conseil National (in French), Consiglio Nazionale (in Italian) (200 seats - members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)


elections: Council of States - last held in most cantons 19 October 2003 (each canton determines when the next election will be held); National Council - last held 19 October 2003 (next to be held October 2007)


election results: Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CVP 15, FDP 14, SVP 8, SPS 6, other 3; National Council - percent of vote by party - SVP 26.6%, SPS 23.3%, FDP 17.3%, CVP 14.4%, Greens 7.4%, other small parties all under 5%; seats by party - SVP 55, SPS 54, FDP 36, CVP 28, Green Party 13, other small parties 14
unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de las Valls (28 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 14 from a single national constituency and 14 to represent each of the seven parishes; members serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 24 April 2005 (next to be held March-April 2009)


election results: percent of vote by party - PLA 41.2%, PS 38.1%, CDA-S21 11%, other 9.7%; seats by party - PLA 14, PS 12, CDA-S21 2
Life expectancy at birth total population: 80.39 years


male: 77.58 years


female: 83.36 years (2005 est.)
total population: 83.51 years


male: 80.61 years


female: 86.61 years (2006 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 99% (1980 est.)


male: NA%


female: NA%
definition: NA


total population: 100%


male: 100%


female: 100%
Location Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain
Map references Europe Europe
Maritime claims none (landlocked) none (landlocked)
Merchant marine total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 604,843 GRT/1,050,914 DWT


by type: bulk carrier 12, cargo 6, chemical tanker 2, container 3


foreign-owned: 6 (United Kingdom 6)


registered in other countries: 291 (2005)
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Military - note - defense is the responsibility of France and Spain
Military branches Land Forces, Swiss Air Force (Schweizer Luftwaffe) no regular military forces, Police Service of Andorra
Military expenditures - dollar figure $2.548 billion (FY01) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1% (FY01) -
National holiday Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291) Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278)
Nationality noun: Swiss (singular and plural)


adjective: Swiss
noun: Andorran(s)


adjective: Andorran
Natural hazards avalanches, landslides, flash floods avalanches
Natural resources hydropower potential, timber, salt hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead
Net migration rate 3.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.) 6.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Pipelines gas 1,831 km; oil 94 km; refined products 7 km (2004) -
Political parties and leaders Green Party (Grune Partei der Schweiz or Grune, Parti Ecologiste Suisse or Les Verts, Partito Ecologista Svizzero or I Verdi, Partida Ecologica Svizra or La Verda) [Ruth GENNER]; Christian Democratic People's Party (Christichdemokratische Volkspartei der Schweiz or CVP, Parti Democrate-Chretien Suisse or PDC, Partito Democratico-Cristiano Popolare Svizzero or PDC, Partida Cristiandemocratica dalla Svizra or PCD) [Doris LEUTHARD, president]; Radical Free Democratic Party (Freisinnig-Demokratische Partei der Schweiz or FDP, Parti Radical-Democratique Suisse or PRD, Partitio Liberal-Radicale Svizzero or PLR) [Marianne KLEINER-SCHLAEPFER, president]; Social Democratic Party (Sozialdemokratische Partei der Schweiz or SPS, Parti Socialist Suisse or PSS, Partito Socialista Svizzero or PSS, Partida Socialdemocratica de la Svizra or PSS) [Hans-Juerg FEHR, president]; Swiss People's Party (Schweizerische Volkspartei or SVP, Union Democratique du Centre or UDC, Unione Democratica de Centro or UDC, Uniun Democratica dal Center or UDC) [Ueli MAURER, president]; and other minor parties Andorran Democratic Center Party or CDA (formerly Democratic Party or PD); Century 21 or S21 [Enric TARRADO]; Liberal Party of Andorra or PLA (formerly Liberal Union or UL) [Albert PINTAT]; Social Democratic Party or PS (formerly part of National Democratic Group or AND) [Jaume BARTUMEU CASSANY]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 7,489,370 (July 2005 est.) 71,201 (July 2006 est.)
Population below poverty line NA NA%
Population growth rate 0.49% (2005 est.) 0.89% (2006 est.)
Ports and harbors Basel -
Radio broadcast stations AM 4, FM 113 (plus many low power stations), shortwave 2 (1998) AM 0, FM 15, shortwave 0 (1998)
Railways total: 4,527 km


standard gauge: 3,232 km 1.435-m gauge (3,211 km electrified)


narrow gauge: 1,285 km 1.000-m gauge (1,273 km electrified); 10 km 0.800-m gauge (10 km electrified) (2004)
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Religions Roman Catholic 41.8%, Protestant 35.3%, Orthodox 1.8%, other Christian 0.4%, Muslim 4.3%, other 1%, unspecified 4.3%, none 11.1% (2000 census) Roman Catholic (predominant)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female


total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.98 male(s)/female


total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: excellent domestic and international services


domestic: extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks


international: country code - 41; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean)
general assessment: NA


domestic: modern system with microwave radio relay connections between exchanges


international: country code - 376; landline circuits to France and Spain
Telephones - main lines in use 5.419 million (2002) 35,400 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular 6.172 million (2003) 64,600 (2005)
Television broadcast stations 115 (plus 1,919 repeaters) (1995) 0 (1997)
Terrain mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys
Total fertility rate 1.42 children born/woman (2005 est.) 1.3 children born/woman (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate 3.4% (2004 est.) 0% (1996 est.)
Waterways 65 km


note: Rhine River between Basel-Rheinfelden and Schaffhausen-Bodensee, some canals, and 12 navigable lakes (2003)
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