Giant House Spider - Andorra

The Pyrenees are a moderate-sized mountain range running for 491 kilometers from the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean Sea and forms the natural border between France and Spain. Andorra, a European micro-state, is situated in the southern section of the Pyrenees Mountains, sandwiched between France and Spain.

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Eritigena atrica - The giant house spider’s appearance is menacing, but it does not pose a threat to humans; it prefers to flee when threatened. Spiders are venomous, but the giant house spider will not bite unless it plans on making a meal of the target. The house spider is found throughout Western Europe and often builds funnel nests in secluded basements or attics. The female’s body is larger than the male’s, with an average body length of 18 millimeters, but the legs of the male tend to be larger, reaching lengths of 25 to 75 millimeters.

Poet's Daffodil - Andorra

Narcissus poeticus - Poet's daffodils are highly fragrant flowers and were one of the first daffodils to be cultivated. It is native to Europe and North America. The flowers grow 20 to 40 centimeters in height and have white petals with a light yellow corona edged in red piping. The oils of the poet’s daffodil are used as a principle ingredient in manufacturing perfume. Each of the 50 species in the genus Narcissus are poisonous; the poet’s daffodil, acting as an emetic, is one of the more dangerous.

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Andorra, formed through a charter granted by Charlemagne in 988, has since evolved into a co-principality with the president of France and the bishop of Urgell as co-princes. These two positions are ceremonial and have no vested powers in the running of Andorran affairs. Real power is held by the unicameral parliament of Andorra, a legislative body referred to as the General Council. The number of “councillors,” as the members of parliament are titled, varies between 28 and 42 individuals.

Historical Flags of Europe

The area of present day Moldovia had been part of the Roman province of Dacia. It was proclaimed The Principality of Moldavia when Dragoş became the first Voivode or ruler of the country in 1346. Bosnia-Herzegovina obtained its independence from Yugoslavia in 1992. The new flag, based on the design of the former Bosnian Kingdom, was replaced in 1998 with the current flag. The Andorran flag used from 1806 until 1866 reflected the country’s close association with Spain. A third stripe was added to acknowledged the bond with France. Yugoslavia was created after World War I by the Treaty of Rapallo. When Yugoslavia declared itself a socialist republic in 1943, a red star was installed as the flag’s centerpiece. The constitute republics making up Yugoslavia began to separate in 1980’s. Serbia retained the flag it had used since 1835, but removed the star in favor of the national coat of arms.