Catalonia

I

Introduction

Catalonia (Spanish, Cataluña; Catalan, Catalunya), autonomous region in north-eastern Spain, comprising the provinces of Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. The shape of an inverted triangle, Catalonia is bounded on the north by France and Andorra, on the west by the region of Aragón, on the south-west by the region of Valencia, and on the south and east by the Mediterranean Sea. The town of Llívia forms a tiny exclave to the south-east of Andorra, within the Pyrénées-Orientales department of France. The area of Catalonia is approximately 32,113 sq km (12,399 sq mi).

II

Physical Geography

Catalonia is bisected by the Sierra de la Llena mountain range, which extends from the south-west to the north-east. In the north, the Pyrenees form a natural border with France and Andorra. Estats Peak, in the French Pyrenees is the highest peak in the region, rising to an altitude of 3,143 m (10,312 ft). Most of Catalonia is wooded, and contains few meadows and little pasture. Among the principal rivers are the Ebro, the Llobregat, and the Ter, which drain into the Mediterranean. The Ebro Delta is an important wetland area and is the main coastal delta of the Iberian Peninsula. The region’s extensive dunes and lagoons are under environmental protection as a designated nature park, and provide an ideal wintering ground for many species of migratory wildfowl. In the north-west of the province is the mountainous Aigües Tortes National Park, which was established in 1955 and covers an area of 102 sq km (39 sq mi). Much of the park is densely forested and the most common trees are fir and pine. A rich variety of wildlife inhabits the park, including chamois, wild boars, golden eagles, vultures, capercaillies, ptarmigans, and marmots.

III

Population

The population of Catalonia is 7,210,508 (2007), making it the second most populous of Spain’s 17 autonomous communities. The region has an average population density of 209 people per sq km (541 per sq mi). Barcelona (population, 2007, 1,595,110) is the region's capital, as well as the capital of Barcelona Province. Tarragona (2007, 134,163); Lleida (2007, 127,314); and Girona (2007, 92,186) are the other provincial capitals. Other important cities include Hospitalet (2007, 251,848); Badalona (2007, 216,201); Sabadell (2007, 201,712); Terrassa (2007, 202,136); Santa Coloma de Gramenet (2007, 116,765); and Mataró (2007, 119,035).

The main language spoken in the region is Catalan, which is the medium of instruction in schools. However, Castilian Spanish is also widely spoken. Among the region’s many institutions of higher education are the University of Barcelona (1450), the Autonomous University of Barcelona (1968), the Technical University of Catalonia (1971), and the University of Girona (1991). A monastery built on the slope of Montserrat that contains a carved wooden statue of St Mary is a major pilgrimage site, second only (in Spain) to the shrine of St James in Santiago de Compostela. Four UNESCO World Heritage Sites are located wholly in Catalonia. These are the Cistercian Monastery of Santa María, Poblet, and the archaeological site of Tárraco, both in Tarragona; several buildings by local architect Antoni Gaudí y Cornet, including Güell Palace and Park and the Casa Milá, in Barcelona; and nine churches in the municipality of La Vall de Bohí, in the north-western Alta Ribagorça region. Additionally, 60 sites in the region, with examples of ancient rock art and carvings, were collectively inscribed as part of the wider Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin of the Iberian Peninsula World Heritage Site in 1998.

IV

Economy

Catalonia is one of the most prosperous regions of Spain. Maize, wheat, rye, flax, and liquorice are cultivated; pigs, goats, and sheep are raised; and almonds, chestnuts, walnuts, figs, oranges, and grapes are grown. Among the main industries are fishing, winemaking, the manufacture of cotton textiles, and potash mining. The coastal region known as the Costa Brava stretches some 120 km (75 mi) and is one of Europe’s leading tourist destinations. The region, which covers the strip of Mediterranean coastline from the French border at Port-Bou to the Spanish resort of Blanes, attracts more than 4 million visitors each year.