Andorra
National Atlases
The national atlas tradition of Andorra is a modest but meaningful chapter in the country’s cartographic history. Emerging in the late 20th century, this tradition reflects a period when the principality sought to consolidate its identity and modernize its institutional frameworks. The two atlases in this collection, produced between 1980 and 1991, mark the first systematic efforts to represent Andorra’s geography, society, and culture in a comprehensive national format. The 1980 atlas, published by the Institut d'Estudis Andorrans, laid the groundwork with a scholarly approach, while the 1991 edition, issued under the Government of Andorra’s education and culture department, expanded the scope with a more official and accessible presentation. Both works were compiled in Catalan and French, reflecting the country’s linguistic and cultural ties. These atlases are notable for their collaborative editorial style, combining academic research with governmental oversight. Their significance lies not only in documenting Andorra’s landscape and heritage but also in establishing a baseline for future cartographic and educational projects. Though limited in number, they remain essential references for understanding Andorra’s national self-perception and its place within the Pyrenean region.
Versions and Their Documents
Contemporary and Later Comment
- Journal Article1984Notes bibliographiques: Le premier fascicule de l'atlas d'Andorre
François Taillefer
This review examines the first fascicle of the Atlas of Andorra, a collaborative project between the Institut d'Estudis Andorrans and the University of Perpignan, modeled on major national and regional atlases. The core of this fascicle comprises 26 plates dedicated to the population of Andorra, based on data from the general census of December 31, 1976. These plates are organized into three sections: an overview of the population, the demographic structure of the seven parishes, and the distribution of population by age and nationality. The review highlights a key finding: Spanish nationals constitute a majority of Andorra's population, with their predominance even more pronounced among younger age groups, making native Andorrans a minority in their own country. The review also critiques the atlas's limitations, including its reliance on communal and parish registers rather than a traditional census, the lack of data on professional activity and residence, and specific numerical inconsistencies. Despite these shortcomings, the atlas is presented as a significant step in Andorra's efforts to modernize and assert its identity as a contemporary nation.
From the Physical Collection
Photographs are being prepared for this hall.