Some key dates in the history of Andorra:
AD 803 – Emperor Charlemagne recovers area of present-day Andorra from Moors and is said to grant charter to its residents. After Charlemagne’s death Andorra is granted to Spain’s Count of Urgell by Charles II, grandson of Charlemagne.
1133 – Count of Urgell cedes Andorra to bishop of Urgell.
1278 – Under terms of “pareage” agreement, Andorra adopts joint allegiance to a French and a Spanish prince after disputes between French heirs to the Urgel countship and the Spanish bishops of Urgell.
1419 – Elected body, Council of the Land, is established to deal with local issues.
1607 – French royal edict establishes French head of state and bishop of Urgell as co-princes.
1936-39 – French troops sent to protect Andorra from spillover from the Spanish Civil War.
1939-45 – Andorra is neutral during the Second World War, becomes important smuggling route from Vichy France into neutral Spain.
1970 – Women given the vote.
1982 – First executive branch of government – “Govern” in Catalan – takes office. Its head is elected by Council of the Land.
1990 – Andorra signs customs union with EU.
1993 – First constitution adopted by referendum. Document reduces feudal powers of two princes. New executive, legislative and judicial arms of government are set up. Andorra joins United Nations. France, Spain establish embassies.
2005 – Cooperation agreement with EU comes into effect.
2009 – Andorra agrees to ease banking secrecy rules to make it easier for other countries to pursue tax evaders and money launderers.
2013 – Andorra introduces personal income tax for the first time as it faces pressure from the European Union to tackle tax evasion.
2016 – Parliament approves plans to end the secrecy of bank accounts held by EU residents