Where is catalonia spain located

One shouldn't forget anyhow that Catalonia offers as well high mountain ranges, the Pyrenees in the north, the curious formations of Montserrat , the inactive volcans of Garrotxa , and a wide plain area in the region's center.

Catalonia has a very marked culture of its own, most evidently of Mediterranean tradition, and is distinguished of most other Spanish regions in several aspects, not at least by its language, Catalonian although everybody speaks and understands Castilian Spanish perfectly. Certainly it is one of the most cosmopolitan places in Spain, thanks to its long tradition of international commerce. The coast offers ideal facilities for all sorts of water sports, but everywhere you will realize about that special talent to combine the beauty of nature or monuments with modern attractions, a main reason why Catalonia developed into one of the preferred touristical destinations.

Catalonia's excellent gastronomy is characterized by seafood, rice dishes, wines of great international reputation and traditional desserts like the famous "Catalonian Cream".

Major attractions: Barcelona Catalonia's capital, located at the Mediterranean Sea, offers the structures of a true metropole. Among its most outstanding sights are the Gothic Quarter and the works of architect Antoni Gaudi.

Costa Brava Certainly one of the most famous Spanish coasts, stretching from the north of Barcelona over the province of Girona. Animals Wild Cities This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city Caracals have learned to hunt around the urban edges of Cape Town, though the predator faces many threats, such as getting hit by cars. India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big. Environment Planet Possible India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big Grassroots efforts are bringing solar panels to rural villages without electricity, while massive solar arrays are being built across the country.

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Subscribe to Our Weekly Newsletter. All Rights Reserved. When Spain became a republic in , Catalonia was soon given broad autonomy. During the Spanish Civil War, Catalonia was a key Republican stronghold, and the fall of Barcelona to Gen Francisco Franco's right-wing forces in marked the beginning of the end of republican resistance.

Under Franco's ultra-conservative rule, autonomy was revoked, Catalan nationalism repressed, and use of the Catalan language restricted. The pendulum swung back with the emergence of a democratic Spain after Franco's death. Catalonia now has is its own parliament and executive - together known as the "Generalitat" in Catalan - with extensive autonomy.

Separatist fervour soared in after a ruling by Spain's constitutional court set limits on Catalan claims to nationhood. The region's president at the time, Jose Montilla, said the ruling had "attacked the dignity of Catalans". Spain's painful economic crunch also fuelled enthusiasm for sovereignty.

Many Catalans believe their affluent region pays more to Madrid than it gets back, and blame much of Spain's debt crisis on the central government.