Andorra–Spain border

Border between Andorra, France and Spain.

The border between Andorra and Spain is in the Pyrenees Mountains on the north edge of Spain and the south edge of Andorra.

Specifications

The Spanish-Andorran border is 64 km south of Andorra and northern Spain (by the autonomous community of Catalonia) in the Pyrenees Mountains. Because both countries are situated in the same watershed, communications are easier than communications between Andorra and France.

The border begins in the west at the Andorra-France-Spain tripoint (42 ° 36 '13 "N 1 ° 26' 30" W).[1] It then follows a general direction south-east, then northeast to the eastern Andorra-Spain-France tripoint (42 ° 30 '09 "N 1 ° 43' 34" W). The dividing line between the two countries goes through high mountain areas, often over 2000 m and passes near the highest point of Andorra, the peak of Coma Pedrosa. It also borders the Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley of Andorra. This is the only site in Andorra to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In May 2015 the European commission adopted a cooperation program to improve the protection of the environment at the Spain-Andorra and Andorra-France borders.[2]

Border controls

The main channel of communication between the two countries is through the Valira Valley between La Seu d'Urgell and the Parish of Sant Julia de Loria. The only border control at the Andorra–Spain border is located along this road. There is no rail crossing point.

In addition, helicopters are allowed to go to airports with border control in other countries, but not to other places outside Andorra. Flight usually go to the airports of Barcelona or Toulouse.[3]

There is an agreement signed 2003 between France, Spain and Andorra on the movement and residence in Andorra of citizens of third States.[4] It says that the three countries shall coordinate their visa requirements (in reality that Andorra follows the Schengen visa requirements) and that Andorra accept entry only of those who have right of entry of Spain or France. Andorra is allowed to permit long stays for any person.

Contraband

Due to the low taxation of tobacco in Andorra there is significant contraband between the two countries, it takes place at the border post of La Farga de Molas but also often in the mountains through the border passes. The Guardia Civil is responsible for surveillance of the border and arrests smugglers on the Spanish side.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ The tripoints of Andorra grpdesbf.nl
  2. ↑ Spain, France and Andorra: EU invests almost €190 million to boost cooperation across borders 20/05/2015
  3. ↑ Helicopter flights in Andorra and Serveis
  4. ↑ Décret n° 2003-740 du 30 juillet 2003 portant publication de la convention entre la République française, le Royaume d'Espagne et la Principauté d'Andorre relative à la circulation et au séjour en Principauté d'Andorre des ressortissants des Etats tiers, signée à Bruxelles le 4 décembre 2000 (French)
  5. ↑ (Spanish) La guardia civil acaba con el contrabando en la frontera con Andorra http://elmundo.es

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