How big is Catalonia, Spain?

The Kingdom of Spain. Located on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe, it is a constitutional monarchy. Spain is a highly developed capitalist countries, is a member of the European Union and NATO, or the euro zone's fifth largest economy, gross domestic product (GDP) ranked No. 6 in European countries, the world's 13th Spain's country is divided into 17 autonomous regions, 50 provinces, more than 8,000 municipalities, and in Morocco, there are two other enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. Autonomous regions: Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, the Balearic Islands, the Basque Country, the Canary Islands, Cantabria, Castilla y León, Castilla la Mancha, Catalonia, Extremadura, Galicia, Madrid, Murcia, Navarra, La Rioja and Valencia.

Catalonia is a place bordering the Mediterranean Sea, known as the "Kingdom of the Arts" for its artistic excellence, and where Catalan is the language spoken by the inhabitants. Catalonia became an autonomous community on December 18, 1979, by means of an autonomy decree. With an area of 32,106 square kilometers and a population of 7,571,000, it was the leading trading nation in the Western Mediterranean between the 13th and 14th centuries. It is the richest and most highly industrialized part of Spain. The capital is Barcelona.

The Autonomous Community of Catalonia is a triangular region in northeastern Spain and is bordered by France*** and Andorra to the north, Aragon to the west, Valencia to the south, and the Mediterranean Sea to the east. The Pyrenees separates Catalonia from France*** and Andorra, while the Pre-Pyrenees and the Ebro Basin in the west form the border with Aragon. The Ebro basin in the southwest separates the province of Valencia. Catalonia's traditional agricultural crops are potatoes, corn, wine, almonds and olive oil for export. The Catalan textile industry was first developed between 1283 and 1313 and has always been the region's first industry. Barcelona, Sabadell and Tarrasa are the centers of the textile industry. The industrial sector has undergone rapid expansion and diversification since 1950, with the metallurgical, food processing and chemical industries steadily catching up with textiles. The textile, paper and graphic arts, chemical and metallurgical industries are concentrated in Barcelona.

The interior of Catalonia, although more affected by human activity, is rich in natural heritage and cities with a long historical, cultural and trade tradition. A series of geographical differences have shaped tourist attractions with different characteristics: the Ebro region, Wildarren, the area around Lleida and central Catalonia. In the interior, the long history of agricultural work and farm buildings of the local people also form characteristic landscapes. Barcelona - the capital of Catalonia - is one of the most important cities in the western Mediterranean.

The local tradition of festivals and celebrations is also one of the most important features of Catalonia. There are a variety of festivals throughout the year. The summer is the most popular season for festivals, and the main events include sardines, the most popular Catalan dance, the parade of three-meter tall giants carried on sticks, capgrossos, fireworks and the playing of festive music. Of the many festivals, the most important and oldest is probably the Fireworks Festival. On the eve of St. John's Day (July 24), bonfires are lit in the streets and squares of towns and villages. Amidst the flames and fireworks, people celebrate all night long to the rhythm of festive music. Many festivals in Catalonia are celebrated with bonfires and fireworks. Many towns also associate legends with the festivals. The setting off of fireworks during the festivities comes from the legend of the devil driving a parade of monsters with firecrackers and fireworks spitting out of their mouths.