Little Andorra takes its suite guests to mountains, valleys and snows

The "hidden country" arouses the curiosity of visitors to the "Dubai Expo"

  • Andorra pavilion promotes its attractions at the "Dubai Expo".

    Cinematography: Mostafa Qassemi

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While many visitors, standing in front of the entrance to the Andorra Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, wonder: “Is it an island?

Or institution or service facility?” The people in charge of the pavilion are well aware of this, and affirm: “We know that we are unknown to many, and Andorra is the hidden country - to a large extent - in Europe, although it attracts millions of tourists annually, but it is unknown to the Arab citizen and others ».

They add, "Our country is more attractive to ski enthusiasts, given that it is made up of mountains and plateaus, with small valleys in the middle, but it is taking advantage of a global event such as (Expo Dubai) to promote itself, in light of its unique advantages, which may appeal to businessmen wishing to Investing in a country that does not apply taxes.

A visitor to the Andorra pavilion at the International Exhibition will initially receive a model that displays its terrain using “3D” technology, and reveals its distinguished nature, and its strategic location on the borders between Spain and France, which share their rule, in a rare but consistent system with their conditions, and there is no significant dispute between the two parties over Over the course of many years.

It is also possible to identify the most attractive sectors in this small country through a large screen, which takes the visitor on a quick interactive journey through the hills and valleys of Andorra, during which he sees the most important resorts that often flourish in winter, when professionals and amateurs accept skiing on snowy mountains in an atmosphere full of excitement .

strange system

One of the pavilion’s organizers jokes: “Many visitors come to us thinking that we are a restaurant or a café, especially Arab guests, but they show great interest when they learn about the nature and characteristics of Andorra, and what they can find in it, despite its small area, which does not exceed 468 square kilometers. Its population is estimated at 77,000.

He points out that the somewhat strange system of government shared between Spain and France suits the nature of the Andorran people, "in the end we are a small number of residents, and we do not have an army or an airport, so we do not find a big problem in the system of government."

He points out that the capital, Andorra la Vella, is the highest above sea level in Europe, and Andorra also has a relatively small economy, but it has developed in recent years, and relies mainly on the tourism, trade and financial industry sector, as it receives about nine million visitors annually, despite Its small size, so tourism is the most important economic tributary, in addition to some industries, such as timber, tobacco and furniture.

He explains that Andorra has four seasons, its winter is relatively cold, but it is enjoyable in the shadow of the snowy peaks, and the rugged terrain that attracts ski enthusiasts in the winter, and mountain hiking in the relatively mild summer, and is characterized by great safety, almost free of crimes, due to the nature of its people and their closeness.

As if one of her children

In one corner of the Andorra pavilion, the young citizen, Saeed Al-Menhali, stood smoothly explaining to the visitors the features of this country as if he were one of its sons.

He added that he knew everything in Andorra, and was well acquainted with the contents of its pavilion, so that he could help describe it to visitors with the commissioner and those in charge of the pavilion, stressing that what he learned at the "Expo Dubai" could not be forgotten at all, as he doubled his culture, and introduced him to countries He was not aware of it before, and even refined his skill in a different profession other than his original job, which is tourist guides, explanation, and dealing with members of the community.

• 468 square kilometers, the area of ​​this country, which is inhabited by about 77 thousand people.

• 9 million visitors a year attracted by Andorra, despite its small size.

Saeed Al Menhali:

• “(Expo Dubai) doubled my culture, and introduced me to countries I was not aware of before.”

The cheapest in its continent

Shopping is one of the most important attractions in Andorra for visitors and tourists, because it does not apply taxes on income or purchase, so it is the cheapest at all in Europe, as shoppers come from Spain, France, Britain and various European countries.

Andorra pavilion officials describe the "Expo 2020 Dubai" as a great opportunity to learn about these important aspects of their country.