Andorra has no monetary unit of its own and the Euro has been the official currency from January 2002. Visitors from non Euro countries are advised to bring travellers\' cheques or Euro cheques and to cash them in Andorra as the exchange rate is usually better than in other European countries. Credit cards e.g. Amex, Visa & Access are accepted in many establishments.
Andorra is situated in south-western Europe between France and Spain; it has a population of 83,888. For 715 years - between 1278 and 1993 - Andorra was a unique co-principality ruled by leaders of France and Spain. In 1993 Andorra governance was reformed into a parliamentary democracy. For many years Andorra has been a home for banking and economic freedom. Currently Andorra has an estimated 10 million tourists visiting the country each year, which accounts for roughly 80% of the country’s gross domestic product.
Andorra la Vella is the capital of the Principality of Andorra, and is located high in the east Pyrenees between France and Spain. It is also the name of the parish that surrounds the capital. As of 2011, the city has a population of 22,256, and the urban area, which includes Escaldes-Engordany plus satellite villages, has over 40,000 inhabitants.