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Andorrans Live Longer: Is It the Peace, Cheese and Wine?

Mon, 10/06/2008 - 9:00am by LibertySugar
268 Views - 40 comments

Andorra is a small country that sits between France and Spain. For more than 700 years, Andorrans lived under a co-principality ruled by French and Spanish leaders, but today, it has its own democracy and prospers through tourism. So what's so special about the area besides its picturesque mountains and unique history?

Andorrans' average life expectancy is 83.5, which is the highest in the world according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Most of the current population of 83,000 works in the tourist-related industry or in a bank — an estimated 11.6 million tourists visit annually, presumably attracted by Andorra's landscapes, duty-free status and by Summer and Winter resorts.

A journalist for the BBC recently took a trip to the region to explore how daily life might factor into the country's healthy lifespan. To check out a list of things he discovered, read more.

  • Andorrans stay active — Andorra has seven parishes and seven state-of-the-art public leisure centers (there are many more private ones). Free transport is provided there from the town center every 15 minutes during the day.
  • They have a quality public health system — Andorrans have what the WHO ranks as the third-best public health system in the world to maintain them.
  • They have a healthy, Mediterranean diet — A head chef from just outside the capital La Vella claims customers want "healthy food and they can tell what is healthy."
  • Stress of crime? What crime? — There are almost non-existent crime levels in Andorra. Minister and government spokesman, Juli Minoves says there is a single prison with about 50 inmates. (Interesting note: The country has no army! Defense is the responsibility of France and Spain.)
  • Andorrans are not afraid to indulge — Cigarettes are apparently smoked everywhere, by the old and young. Wine is appreciated even in the hospital canteen.

Source

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40 Comments Add a Comment

  • stephley's picture
    stephley
    2

    Of course now that their secrets are out, the rest of us will go make them sick.

    8 weeks 3 days ago Report Comment
  • Great Sommelier's picture
    Great Sommelier
    5

    I lived almost solely on wine, cheese and bread for nine years. Stunts your growth1 Eye-wink

    And now Andora is in my top five list of places to travel. Neat story. And yes, I just said neat!

    8 weeks 3 days ago Report Comment
  • janneth's picture
    janneth
    11

    I have actually been to Andorra. It was winter, snowing. It is basically a one road country. The capital city is like a luxury strip mall crammed with stores (duty free).

    8 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • UnDave35's picture
    UnDave35
    12

    Did you hear about the guy who read that "90% of all accidents happen within 20 miles of your home"?

    Hey was so distraught, that he moved the next day.

    8 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • karenpanna's picture
    karenpanna
    14

    I wish they would put out a cook book of their prime dishes! I love Mediterranean food! I chalk it up to the PW&C!! The world would be a happier place if more people were like these folks!

    8 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • Jude C's picture
    Jude C
    15

    Olive oil and cheese can make just about anything spectacular, in my book.

    Lots of wine helps, too

    8 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • Great Sommelier's picture
    Great Sommelier
    18

    And if you are talking about the growth comment, I am 6'2" so it was a joke. As you referred to me in your group as an outsider, I will say that if you commented here often you would know that.

    8 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • audreystar's picture
    audreystar
    20

    I do comment here. Just not enough to be top talker and I do know that so I am not an outsider. And the go to excuse when caught on something you do wrong is to say it is a joke.

    8 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • Great Sommelier's picture
    Great Sommelier
    21

    My parents were very european about alcohol. I was allowed to have wine with meals starting at about 13 or 14. I absolutely fell in love with it. And the history of it and science behind it blow my mind. It really is an art too. So, went to college and eventually became the manager of a vineyard. Decided to open my own wine consulting company and here I am. I technically am no longer a sommelier.

    8 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • Jude C's picture
    Jude C
    22

    In defense of GS, that was pretty clearly a joke--not just because of her sommelier thing, but because of the winky Eye-wink she put.

    8 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • audreystar's picture
    audreystar
    25

    Well Jude I would agree to disagree seeing how the history between GS and SL and how she follows her around antagonizing her. I have found using the wink smiley also makes it appear as a joke when all in actuality it is usually a snide rebuttal disguised as a "joke". I am considering the "source" on this one.

    8 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • Jude C's picture
    Jude C
    27

    shrug I've not paid enough attention to see that happen (one poster following another around just to antagonize them), but there's plenty on here for us all to disagree about along party lines anyway. I just think that in this case, since GS is a very tall sommelier, that one specific comment was clearly a joke and not a snide rebuttal Smiling

    8 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • Great Sommelier's picture
    Great Sommelier
    29

    Audrey, the first time and only time I have ever crossed paths with sexylibrarian was in that one thread yesterday. This is getting downright ridiculous. I will no longer respond to your because that is just too juvenile.

    8 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • Great Sommelier's picture
    Great Sommelier
    31

    For the record everyone, I dared be an "outsider" and go into a public thread and not share group think. Now, I am stalking them. They are the inspiration for my icon.

    8 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • audreystar's picture
    audreystar
    32

    You aren't going to respond? Well that is a first. And you have crossed paths with CarrieFrances many times. She changed her name but seeing how she was in that thread yesterday about the Bush video I have a hard time believing this "haven't crossed paths" statement.

    And Jude no problem. This is something that has been happening for a few months. There is some history.

    8 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • audreystar's picture
    audreystar
    33

    Same here. Daring to say something makes everything so high school to you. I am done as well. Going back to reading and not commenting on the Citizen threads.

    8 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • bluesarahlou's picture
    bluesarahlou
    36

    Whoa. This thread went downhill real fast. Can we get back to talking about yummy cheese and wine? Pretty please?

    Thanks for the history GS, I really love wine culture and history too...and living in Northern Ca I get a lot of chances to learn!

    And for what it's worth, I knew you were kidding as well. Smiling

    8 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • harmonyfrance's picture
    harmonyfrance
    37

    This is the dumbest argument ever. GS loves wine. It was clearly a joke. We can find insult in everything if we dig hard enough. Here GS have a virgin cocktail. Pregnant

    Back to topic. I adore cheese and wine. I also love salami, french bread, and grapes. I would eat nothing but that if I could.

    8 weeks 19 hours ago Report Comment
  • Jude C's picture
    Jude C
    39

    This post makes me want a plate of carpaccio with some nice parmesan cheese, drizzled with olive oil and served with a bottle of good wine.

    Damn you people!

    8 weeks 17 hours ago Report Comment

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