Barcelona is part of the province Catalonia. The city always has been the centre of Catalan separatism and the striving for independance. It is also the centre of the biggest industrial area in Spain, except for Bilbao. And it is an important port. Prat is the international airport. There are two universities, lots of highschools, opera, many museums and two arena's. In 2000 there lived almost 1.5 million people in Barcelona. Including the suburbs it is almost 2.8 million.
City Area: 3600 km²
Number of inhabitants: 4.2 million
Population density: 1167 people per square kilometer
Districts: There are 5 districts in Barcelona (not counting the suburbs):
- Gotic district; with the Roman walls, the cathedral de Santa Eulàlia, Plaza del Rei, originally a patio of the palace of the earls of Barcelona and the historic town museum. - La Ribera, also a medieval district, is situated just outside the first city wall. Now it is a district of commerce and seamen. - El Eixample, a modern district where Casa Batlló and Casa Milá can be found, both build by Gaudí. The famous La Sagrada Familia is also located here. - The avenue La Rambla consists of seven different boulevards. The most charasteristic is the Rambla de les Flors. The world inheritance monument Plaza Reial is worth a visit. - In the Coastal Zone one can find the Olympic Village, build for the Olympic Games of 1992. The Montjuïc has become a large recreation area. The World Exhibition of 1929 was held here as were the Olympic Games in 1992.
Fixed Public Holidays: New Year's Day: 1. January Three Kings Day: 6 January Liberation Day: 25 April Pentecost: 16 May St John’s Day: 24 June Assumption of the Virgin Mary: 15 August Catalan National Day: 11 September Our Lady of Mercy: 23./24. September Columbus Day: 12. October All Saints' Day: 1. November Constitution Day: 6. December Immaculate Conception: 8. December Christmas Day: 25. December Boxing or St Stephen's Day: 26. December
