Andorra

parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as its chiefs of state a coprincipality; the two princes are the president of France and bishop of Seo de Urgel, Spain, who are represented locally by coprinces' representatives

No international airport (2001) in Andorra: Barcelona airport is about 3 hours away

In 748 Andorra was rewarded with independence by Charlemagne for fighting the Moors. Following arguments between Spain and France over who would reign, an agreement was reached in 1278 for the country to be governed by a prince from both countries.

For more than 700 years, the state has preserved its identity while remaining neutral and un-involved in European diplomatic affairs. Andorra is an independent European state with a democratically elected parliament. It is now also a member of the UN.

The co-princes appoint a Cap de Govern, the equivalent to President or Prime Minister, on recommendation from the Consell General de las Valls. This uni-cameral legislature of 28 members is elected every 4 years, half directly by the parishes and half through a national constituency list. The Cap de Govern then appoints an executive cabinet and directs government from la Casa de la Vall or Houses of Parliament. Officials called vergeurs represent locally the heads of state, and the country is divided administratively into seven parishes. Under the 1993 Constitution, the legal system is based on the French and Spanish civil codes with an independent judiciary