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Andorra la Vella

Capital of AndorraHigh in the eastern Pyrenees between France and Spain, Andorra la Vella sits where two mountain streams, the Valira del Nord and the Valira de l'Orient, join to form the Gran Valira river.

Why it's the capital

It has been the main town of Andorra since 1278, when the French co-prince and the bishop co-prince agreed to share power over the country.

Fun facts

  1. At about 1,020 m above sea level, it is the highest capital city in Europe.
  2. Its name means 'the city of Andorra', to tell the town apart from the country as a whole.
  3. The Casa de la Vall, a house built in the early 16th century, has been the home of Andorra's parliament since 1702.

Finding it on the globe

Find the Pyrenees, the mountains between France and Spain, and aim at their eastern part: tiny Andorra is tucked in there, with its capital inside it.

Sources: Wikipedia: Andorra la Vella