Catalonia, in the northeastern Iberian peninsula, covers an area of 32 000 km2 and has 6 million inhabitants. History, language and a distinct cultural, political and legal tradition have shaped the personality of the country and the people. Nowadays Catalonia is an autonomous community within Spain with a government of its own known as the Generalitat.
Catalonia is a land of rich and varied scenery, with 580 km of Mediterranean coastline, which offer perfect conditions for nautical sports, and mountain areas, as the Catalan Pyrenees ideal for skiing, hiking, and adventure sports. A rich architectural heritage has preserved in many fine cities steeped in character, with magnificent historic buildings, among them Girona and Tarragona. Barcelona, Catalonia’s capital, offering a lively cultural life and good shopping, is one of the most important ports on the Mediterranean.
Catalonia’s own language is Catalan, a Romance language that has co-official status alongside Castilian (Spanish). Catalonia’s artistic heritage is a permanent reminder of the creativity of the people. Examples are Empúries, the Roman monuments in Tarragona, the civil and religious works of Gothic art, the great painters of the 19th century, such as Marià Fortuny, and the world-famous Catalan artists of the 20th century as Miró and Dalí.
All these factors, together with a plentiful accommodation and excellent services and facilities, make Catalonia one of Europe’s leading tourist regions. Welcome to Catalonia!
