History of Andorra
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'''[[Andorra]]''' is the last independent survivor of the [[Marca Hispanica]], the [[buffer state]]s created by [[Charlemagne]] to keep the [[Islam]]ic [[Moors]] from advancing into [[Christianity|Christian]] [[France]]. Tradition holds that Charlemagne granted a charter to the Andorran people in return for their fighting the Moors. In the [[800s]], Charlemagne's grandson, [[Charles the Bald]], named the [[Count of Urgell]] as overlord of Andorra. A descendant of the count later gave the lands to the [[Diocese of Urgell]], headed by [[Bishop of Urgell]].
In the [[11th century]], fearing military action by neighboring lords, the bishop placed himself under the protection of the [[Lord of Caboet]], a [[Catalonia|Catalan]] [[nobleman]]. Later, the [[Count of Foix]] became heir to the Lord of Caboet through marriage, and a dispute arose between the French Count and the Catalan bishop over Andorra.
In [[1278]], the conflict was resolved by the signing of a pareage (''pariatges''), which provided that Andorra's sovereignty be shared between the Count of Foix and the [[Bishop]] of [[La Seu d'Urgell]] ([[Catalonia]], [[Spain]]). The pareage, a feudal institution recognizing the principle of equality of rights shared by two rulers, gave the small state its territory and political form. In return, Andorra pays an annual tribute or ''questia'' to the co-rulers consisting of four [[ham]]s, forty loaves of [[bread]], and some [[wine]]. As of the year 2006, Andorra's borders have remained unchanged since 1278[http://www.un.org/webcast/ga/61/pdfs/andorra-e.pdf].
Andorra was briefly annexed to the [[Crown of Aragon]] twice, in 1396 and 1512.
Over the years the title passed to the kings of [[Navarre]], and under the king of France [[Henry IV of France|Henry IV]], an edict in [[1607]] established the head of the French state and the Bishop of Urgell as co-princes of Andorra.
In the period 1812–13, the [[French Empire]] annexed [[Catalonia]] and divided it in four departments. Andorra was also annexed and made part of the district of [[Puigcerdà]] (département of Sègre).
In 1933 France occupied Andorra as a result of social unrest before elections. On [[July 12]], [[1934]], an adventurer named [[Boris Skossyreff]] issued a proclamation in Urgel, declaring himself Boris I, sovereign prince of Andorra, simultaneously declaring war on the bishop of Urgel. He was arrested by Spanish authorities on [[July 20]] and ultimately expelled from Spain. From 1936 to 1940, a French detachment was garrisoned in Andorra to prevent influences of the [[Spanish Civil War]] and [[Franco's Spain]].
During the [[Second World War]], Andorra remained neutral and was an important smuggling route between [[Vichy France]] and Spain.
In 1958 Andorra declared peace with [[Germany]], having been forgotten on the [[Treaty of Versailles]] that ended the [[First World War]] and, the conflict being [[List of wars extended by diplomatic irregularity|extended by the lack of a peace treaty]], remaining legally at war.<ref>"World War I Ends in Andorra", [[United Press International|UPI]] story in the ''New York Times'', Sep 25, 1958. p. 66</ref>
Andorra began as a modern state in its current form in 1993. Its status as a co-principality was reduced to symbolism, and modern parliamentary government was instituted.
Given its relative isolation, Andorra has existed outside the mainstream of European history, with few ties to countries other than [[France]] and [[Spain]]. In recent times, however, its thriving [[tourist industry]] along with developments in [[transport]] and [[Telecommunication|communications]] have removed the country from its isolation.
''See also: [[List of Co-Princes of Andorra]]''
==References==
<references />
*{{factbook}}
*{{StateDept}}
==External links==
*[http://eudocs.lib.byu.edu/index.php/History_of_Andorra:_Primary_Documents History of Andorra: Primary Documents]
*[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3164.htm Background Note: Andorra]
*[http://www.historyofnations.net/europe/andorra.html History of Andorra]
{{History of Europe}}
[[Category:History of Andorra| ]]
[[Category:History of Catalonia|Andorra]]
[[Category:History of Spain by place|Andorra]]
[[Category:1930s in France]]
[[Category:National histories|Andorra]]
[[ca:Història d'Andorra]]
[[cy:Hanes Andorra]]
[[es:Historia de Andorra]]
[[eo:Historio de Andoro]]
[[fr:Histoire de l'Andorre]]
[[gl:Historia de Andorra]]
[[it:Storia di Andorra]]
[[he:היסטוריה של אנדורה]]
[[lt:Andoros istorija]]
[[hu:Andorra történelme]]
[[nl:Geschiedenis van Andorra]]
[[no:Andorras historie]]
[[pt:História de Andorra]]
[[ru:История Андорры]]
[[sv:Andorras historia]]
[[uk:Історія Андорри]]
[[zh:安道尔历史]]