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The Valls del Nord are formed from the parishes of Ordino and la Massana. They are the third and fourth parishes in the official order. The first historical references to both parishes are found in the Act of Consecration of the Urgell Cathedral in the 9th century, under the denominations of Hordinavi and Maciana respectively. Over the centuries the main economic activity was farming, both agricultural and cattlebased, although from the 16th century the iron forge industry began to rise in prominence. Later on, in the 18th and 19th centuries, Andorra stood out more for mass extraction of iron and creation of ingots, leaving behind its tradition in the forge.

Culturally, the region represents one of the key areas in the history of the Pyrenees. Antoni Fiter i Rossell was born there, author of Manual Digest, in 1748. In this work he collated all the habits and customs which were considered law for centuries. There is also a book by another inhabitant of Ordino, Guillem d’Areny-Plandolit. This work, La Nova Reforma (The New Reforms), details the reforms which provoked significant
changes in Andorran institutions.

Historically la Massana had a large choir, the members of which had learned to read music from an old book of Gregorian songs. They performed during midnight mass. In the 1950 the country opened itself up to tourism, establishing a new identity by which the principality is known today. The Ordino-Arcalís ski resort was opened in 1983, and became one of the reference points for mountain tourism and a landmark of the valleys. The skiable region of Vallnord, with the areas of Pal, Arinsal and Arcalís, is now the economic centre of the area.

Valls del Nord