Capital: Andorra la Vella
Location:
Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain ( 2.5 times the size of Washington,DC).
Registration Embassy and Consulate:
Americans living in or visiting Spain or
Andorra are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Madrid or at the U.S. Consulate General in Barcelona where they may obtain updated information on travel and security within Spain or Andorra. The U.S. Embassy in Madrid, Spain is located at Serrano 75; telephone (34)(91) 587-2200, and fax (34)(91) 587-2303. U.S. citizens who register in the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate listed below can obtain updated information on travel and security within Spain or
Andorra. Additional information is also available through the U.S. Embassy's Internet homepage at http://www.embusa.es/indexbis.html.
There is a U.S. Consulate in Barcelona, at Paseo Reina Elisenda 23-25; telephone (34)(93) 280-2227 and fax (34)(93) 205-5206.
There are also Consular Agencies in the following locations:
Malaga, at Avenida Juan Gomez Juanito #8, Edificio Lucia 1C, 29640, Fuengirola,
telephone (34)(952)474-891 and fax (34)(952) 465-189, hours 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.;
La Coruna, at Canton Grande 16-17, telephone (34)(981) 213-233 and fax (34)(981) 222-808,
hours 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.;
Las Palmas, at Edificio Arca, Calle Los Martinez de Escobar 3, Oficina 7, telephone (34)(928) 222-552 and fax (34)(928) 225-863, hours 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.;
Palma de Mallorca, Ave. Jaime III, 26 Entresuelo, 2-H-1 (97), telephone (34)(971) 725-051 and fax (34)(971) 718-755, hours 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.;
Seville, at Paseo de Las Delicias 7, telephone
(34)(954) 231-885 and fax (34)(954) 232-040, hours 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.;
Valencia, at Doctor Romagosa #1, 2-J, 46002, Valencia telephone(34)(96)-351-6973 and
fax (34)(96) 352-9565, hours 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
For Andorra, please contact the U.S. Consulate in Barcelona.
Background:
Long isolated and impoverished, mountainous
Andorra has 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.
Ethnic Groups:
Spanish 43%, Andorran 33%, Portuguese 11%, French 7%, other 6% (1998)
Language:
Catalan (official), French, Castilian
Currency:
FRF; ESP; EUR
French franc (FRF); Spanish peseta (ESP); euro (EUR)
euros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996); Spanish pesetas per US dollar - 149.40 (1998), 146.41 (1997), 126.66 (1996)
Climate:
Temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers.
Population:
67,627 (July 2001 est.)
Religion:
Roman Catholic (predominant)
Medical:
Good medical care is available. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties.
The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical evacuations.
Safety:
The ETA Basque terrorist organization remains active in Spain. ETA efforts have historically been directed against police, military, and other Spanish government targets. Since November 1999 ETA has conducted scores of attacks, resulting in over two dozen deaths. In March 2001, ETA issued a communique announcing its intention to target Spanish tourist areas. While ETA has targeted tourist areas in the past, the size and the location of past bombings suggest that they were not intended to cause serious injury. Since 1999, a smaller Marxist group, GRAPO, has mounted several attacks, and has killed three people. Americans have not been the specific targets of the attacks of either of these groups.
Traffic Safety:
While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions which differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Spain is provided for general reference only, and it may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Safety of Public Transportation:
Good
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance:
Excellent
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance:
Good
Availability of Roadside Assistance:
Good
Traffic in Madrid and Barcelona is faster-paced than in U.S. cities. Night driving on Fridays and Saturdays in urban areas may be dangerous due to drivers under the influence of alcohol. Night driving in isolated rural areas can be dangerous because of farm animals and poorly marked roads. Traffic is generally heavier in July and August as well as during the Christmas and Easter seasons.
Public transportation in large cities is generally excellent. Taxi services are relatively inexpensive, although taxi drivers occasionally overcharge tourists coming from the airport. Travelers are advised to use registered cabs only.
For additional general information about road safety, including links to foreign government sites, please see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov/road_safety.html. For specific information concerning Spanish driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, please contact the Spanish national tourist organization offices in New York via the Internet at http://www.okspain.org.
