Andorra, flag of

Andorra, flag of

▪ Flag History

      vertically striped blue-yellow-red national flag with a central coat of arms (arms, coat of). It has a width-to-length ratio of approximately 2 to 3.

      An agreement in 1278 between the bishop of Urgel (now in Spain) and the count of Foix (now in France) gave them joint jurisdiction over this small community in the Pyrenees between their own domains. Consequently, the coat of arms of Andorra incorporated their symbols: the mitre and crosier of the bishop appear next to the three red bars on yellow that constitute the arms (arms, coat of) of the count. The yellow shield with four red bars of Catalonia, Spain, and the two red cows of Béarn, France, complete the design. Below is the Latin motto “Virtus unita fortior” (“Strength united is stronger”). A centuries-old carving of this coat of arms appears on the outside wall of the national parliament building, which is known as the General Council of the Valleys.

      The national flag is said to date from 1866, but the first legal authority for it is unknown. Early versions often had horizontal instead of vertical stripes, and private citizens usually flew the flag without the coat of arms in the centre. The design was standardized in July 1993 at the time Andorra joined the United Nations. The flags of Andorra's neighbours, France and Spain, cannot be ignored as possible influences for the three flag colours. The Spanish flag (Spain, flag of) has horizontal stripes of red-yellow-red, while the French Tricolour (France, flag of) has blue-white-red vertical stripes. According to the constitution of 1993, the Spanish bishop of Urgel and the president of France remain the coprinces and heads of state of Andorra, although their roles are now largely ceremonial.

Whitney Smith
 

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Andorra und die Europäische Union — Andorra Europäische Union Das zwischen den EU Mitglied …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Andorra — For other uses, see Andorra (disambiguation). Principality of Andorra Principat d Andorra …   Wikipedia

  • Andorra — Andorran, adj., n. /an dawr euh, dor euh/; Sp. /ahn dawrdd rddah/, n. 1. a republic in the E Pyrenees between France and Spain, under the joint suzerainty of France and the Spanish Bishop of Urgel. 74,839; 191 sq. mi. (495 sq. km). 2. Also called …   Universalium

  • Andorra (Teruel) — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Andorra …   Wikipedia Español

  • Andorra-Grandvalira — ist ein andorranisches Straßenradsportteam. Die Mannschaft wurde 2009 gegründet und nimmt als Continental Team an der UCI Continental Tour teil. Manager ist Domenec Carbonell, der von den Sportlichen Leitern Melchor Mauri und Xavier Rafols… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Andorra — Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre …   Wikipedia Español

  • Flag of Moldova — Use National flag and ensign …   Wikipedia

  • Flag of Germany — Name Bundesflagge und Handelsflagge Use Civil and state flag and civil ensign …   Wikipedia

  • Flag of Denmark — Name Dannebrog Use Civil and state flag and civil ensign …   Wikipedia

  • Flag of France — Name Tricolore Use National flag …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”