Encamp

Encamp is one of the parishes of Andorra, located on the Valira d'Orient river. It is also the name of the main town in the parish. Other settlements include Vila, El Pas de la Casa, Grau Roig, El Tremat, La Mosquera and Les Bons. As of 2004, it has about 11,800 inhabitants. The centre of the municipality lies 1300 m above sea level. The highest mountain in the parish is Pic dels Pessons (2865 m). It borders France and Spain.

Climate
Encamp has an oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification Cfb). The average annual temperature in Encamp is 9.8 C. The average annual rainfall is 805.4 mm with May as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in July, at around 18.9 C, and lowest in January, at around 2.1 C. The highest temperature ever recorded in Encamp was 36.0 C on 29 June 1935; the coldest temperature ever recorded was -16.0 C on 2 February 1956.

Radio transmitter
Radio Andorra operated a transmitter at Lake Engolasters in Encamp from 7 August 1939 until 9 April 1981. The antenna still exists at an elevation of 1600 m (coordinates: 42.52167°N, 1.56944°W).

Economy
The economy of the parish is mostly based on its tourism industry, particularly skiing and hiking. There is also retail industry in the town of Encamp. There is a hydroelectric power station.

Transport
A road tunnel is being built between Encamp and Anyós in the neighbouring parish of La Massana; It cut journey times from 10 to 15 minutes to 5 minutes.

A cable car used to connect the town with Lake Engolasters, but it has been dismantled. However, a 2-stretch funitel built in 1998 connects Encamp with a ridge at 2.500 m within Grandvalira ski resort, thus assuring a lift+ski link with El Pas de la Casa and the rest of the domain.

Education
The Spanish international primary school Escuela Española de la Vall d'Orient is located in Encamp.

Notable people

 * Josep Carles Laínez (born 1970 in Valencia) is a Spanish writer, has a home in Encamp
 * Verònica Canals i Riba is the current Minister of Tourism