Andorra was cited as the country which disposes of the most cigarette butts in the world yesterday in this article pertaining to countries Which Are the Biggest Polluters of Cigarette Butts in the World — Visualized, so this article takes a look at the main — and largest — river in the sovereign microstate, which is tucked away in the in the eastern Pyrenee Mountains between France to the north and Spain to the south.
Sunday Morning Photograph April 17 2022: The Gran Valira River in Andorra.
The Gran Valira river flows under the Pont de Paris and through Andorra la Vella — which is the capital city of Andorra…
…and the river exits the tiny country at its lowest elevation of 2,756 feet in the south near the road border crossing between Andorra and Spain, where getting a stamp for your passport is possible but not easy to do.
As of 2018, the population of Andorra is approximately 77,006 people; and its only official language is Catalan, which is the sixth most widely spoken Romance language by number of native speakers — but Spanish, Portuguese, and French are also commonly spoken there.
Comprised of seven parishes in the sixth smallest state in Europe, Andorra occupies an area of 180.55 square miles of mostly rugged mountains at an average elevation of 6,549 feet in the in the eastern Pyrenees mountain range — with highest peak being that of the Coma Pedrosa at 9,652 feet.
Strangely, the landlocked country is headed by two co-princes: the Bishop of Urgell in Catalonia, Spain; and the President of France. Also, the nearest airports are approximately three hours away in either Toulouse or Barcelona.
Final Boarding Call
I have driven across Andorra, whose duration is approximately one hour. Sharp curves, traffic lights, densely populated areas, and changes in elevation are all factors which prevent the drive across the country from being significantly faster…
…and yes, I have crossed the Gran Valira river by using the Pont de Paris, which proudly boasts the name Andorra la Vella on one side of it.
You can read about my experience and review of the Holiday Inn Andorra by clicking here to this article.
Please click here for a complete list of the Sunday Morning Photograph series of articles at The Gate.
All photographs ©2018 by Brian Cohen.
