Natural Andorra

National Geographic is synonymous with a commitment to natural life on our planet. With more than a century of history, National Geographic has become the world’s most relevant scientific and educational non-profit organisation. Its name is associated with great characters and milestones of exploration and research, such as the first expedition to the North Pole (Robert Peary, 1909) or the discovery of Machu Picchu by Hiram Bingham in 1911, a World Heritage Site and one of the seven new wonders of the world.

Among its great achievements are the explorations of oceanographer Jean Jacques Cousteau (1952); the chimpanzee research by primatologist Jane Goodall (1962) and seafaring achievements, such as the discovery of the remains of the Titanic (Bob Ballard, 1985) and the descent to the Challenger Deep (James Cameron, Mariana Trench, 2012), the deepest point of the Pacific Ocean. These are just a few examples of the National Geographic Society's immense work in exploration and dissemination since its foundation in 1888.

Andorra, located in the heart of the Pyrenees, covers an area of 468 km2, 90% of which is natural land and, of that, 10% is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A country with much to discover. An amazing natural setting that we want to present to you through National Geographic. Join the adventure of exploring the most remote areas of our country to reveal the secrets hidden in the valleys and mountains of the Principality and discover the unseen side of our natural landscape. National Geographic's Andorra project was carried out over a whole year, capturing the changes in wildlife that each season brings about in stunning detail. Light, colours, sounds, in the cold and the heat, day and night. The mountains stand strong, the sun, rain and snow come and go. Some species migrate. Others hibernate during the winter and wake up again in the spring. Life never stops.
 

Winter in the mountains and forests of Andorra is a silent time. The magic of the snow and cold with their imposing magnetism seem to halt any signs of life. Nothing could be further from the truth. Under this seemingly inert coldness, life continues to flow, at a slower pace, but unceasing.

National Geographic will showcase species whose life cycles do not stop. Those that are better prepared to withstand the trials and tribulations of the season; those that, in short, have been able to adapt to the environment.

Most notably among these species is the rock ptarmigan, whose plumage protects it from strong winds, low temperatures and snow in the heart of the forest. Also the the majestic bearded vulture, which takes flight to inspect its territory when weather conditions allow. And we cannot forget the Pyrenean chamois, who find refuge in the lowland wooded areas, forced to leave the highest peaks with the arrival of the snow.

Nor does the environment around them remain unchanged: winds, snow and low temperatures forge a different and savagely attractive landscape.
 

With the change of season, the snow gives way to the green hues that slowly but surely take over the forests and meadows. The milder temperatures lead to greater activity among different species. It is time for courtship rituals, mating and caring for the young. The winter silence is broken by the sound of thousands of birds and other species in the burst of life brought with the good weather.

The National Geographic team will focus on collecting images of the western capercaillie, a particularly elusive and hard-to-capture species, as well as other species, such as the black woodpecker and boreal owl, in their nests, taking care of their offspring. They will also follow the trail of the roe deer, rarely seen beyond the protection offered by their natural habitat: the thick Andorran forests. Easier to observe are the marmots, since their hibernation burrows are found in high-mountain meadows nestled among boulder-strewn scree slopes. They are not difficult to see, as they only venture a few metres from their burrows. While the roe deer do not thrive in open fields, marmots will rarely enter the forest.

In the summer we can see families grow with the arrival of chicks and young, with more images of Pyrenean chamois and marmots. We will also witness the seasonal change in plumage of species like the rock ptarmigan.

Another image that National Geographic will show you is the transhumance of the herds of horses that are released into the high mountain pastures, where they will remain until well into autumn.

The green mantle of meadows splashed with colour and the glacial lakes of the valleys in spring and summer are among life’s must-see moments, and the National Geographic team—with their videos and images—offer you the chance to see them like never before.
 

The summer heat gives way to the warm breeze that announces the arrival of autumn. The palette of colours that flood our forests reaches one of the year's most spectacular chromatic moments. The fog, humidity and first snows again mark the wonderful natural cycle of life. Migratory birds, such as birds of prey and cranes, head for warmer latitudes where they will spend the winter. Each species prepares for the cold of winter.

Don't miss the opportunity to experience the spectacular natural scenery offered by our mountains and valleys at this time of year.

The National Geographic team will record the various moments of this crucial season. The migration of birds of prey and cranes, and the red squirrels' preparations, storing fruits and seeds for the winter. They will also turn their gaze to the destiny of songbirds, like blackbirds and thrushes. We'll also witness the rutting season of the Pyrenean chamois, one of our mountains' iconic species, which takes place between October and November.

One of the most spectacular gems in Andorra is undoubtedly the Madriu-Perafita-Claror valley, declared a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site because of its scenic value. National Geographic will immortalise the metamorphosis of this spectacular environment with the arrival of autumn.