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The
autonomous region of Catalonia is located in the northeast of Spain and
lies on Mediterranean coast. It borders France and Andorra in the north,
the Mediterranean sea in the east, the region of Valencia in the south,
and Aragon in the west.
The
Catalan coast has two distinct features. One side is full of cliffs and
deep coves found mainly in the northern part of the region where the
mountains close in on the coast. The other is full of vast, smooth and
extensive beaches that stretch out along the south of the region. In spite
of this the differences are not as marked as may seem, with both areas
offering the delights that the other also has to offer. For example, in
the south of Tarragona, almost on the border with the province of
Castellon, cliffs once again begin to appear around the Montsia massif.
The most notable natural landmarks on the coast are: cape Creus, Cadaques
inlet, cape Norfeo, cape Falco, gulf of Roses, Trencada point, Medes
island (opposite the mouth of the river Ter), cape Begur, cape San
Sebastian, the Maresme, Castedefells beaches, Garraf headlands, the
beaches of Sitges, cape Salou, the Ebro Delta, cape Tortosa and the
coastal spurs of Montsia. One of the most beautiful and residentially
developed areas along the coast with regards to tourism is the Costa
Brava, that stretches along the beaches of Girona, from cape Creus, in the
north, to the mouth of the river Tordera, in the south. The region has a
diverse mountain terrain, including fertile mountain valleys and wide
fast-flowing rivers. The mountainous terrain of Catalonia can be divided
into three main systems: The Pyrenees, the Mediterranean and the Central
depression. The Pyrenees border the region in the north from west to east.
This can further be divided into two parts: The Main Pyrenees (with its
central axis) and the pre-Pyrenees, with its parallel spurs. The highest
peaks include Puig Pedros (2,911 m), Puigmal (2,913 m), Els Encantats
(2.982) and Pica d'Estats (3,143 m). At right angles from the Pyrenees
axis, there are numerous lush valleys that open up southwards. The
Mediterranean system includes two mountain ranges that run parallel with
the Mediterranean sea: the Prelitoral (before the coast), with Turo de
l'Home its highest peak at 1,712 m and the Litoral (coastal) with
Montnegre at 763 m comprising its highest peak, that extends up to the
Campo de Tarragona. The Central depression is basically an extension of
the Ebro depression, but it is not as flat. It has a staggered appearance
with altitudes varying from 100m to 1000m. The rivers of Catalonia tend to
be short and with little water flowing through them, either starting their
life in the Pyrenees or being tributaries of the Ebro basin. The most
notable of the rivers is the Segre. The Ebro penetrates Catalonia via
Fayon and flows into the Mediterranean having been nourished by the waters
of the Segre, both Nogueras rivers, the Ciurana and the Galera rivers.
Before flowing into the sea the Ebro forms a vast delta.
Population
The
population of this autonomous region according to figures from the Spanish
National Statistics Institute (INE) as of the 1st of January 2001, after
having reviewed the Inhabitants register, is 6,361,365.
The
breakdown by province is as follows: Barcelona: 4,804,606 inhabitants,
Lleida: 365,023 inhabitants, Tarragona: 612,086 inhabitants and Girona:
579,650 inhabitants. The Catalan population has maintained a steady growth
throughout the twentieth century.
Administration
This
is comprised of four provinces that include: Barcelona, Tarragona, Lleida
and Girona. The capital is Barcelona.
The
highest institutional body of the Autonomous Region which governs the life
of the Catalans is the Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalan Regional
Assembly), which is formed by the Parliament, the Presidency of the
Generalitat and the Catalan Government. Catalonia's Autonomy Statute was
approved in 1979 and forms the basis of rule within the region.
Weather
The
climate in Catalonia is mainly Mediterranean around the coastal areas,
whilst inland the climate becomes more continental in essence.
A
temperate climate, characteristic of a Mediterranenan region, although
there are areas defined as having a high mountain climate, such as the
Pyrenees. Catalonia experiences moderate temperatures all year round.
However, towards the north, we approach areas where an Alpine climate is
dominant, as the altitude increases.
Infrastructures
The
autonomous region of Catalonia has an excellent infrastructure. Land, air
and sea connections give this autonomous region a link with both the rest
of Spain and the rest of the world.
The
rail network covers the whole area of Catalonia. The two companies that
run the railways are: RENFE and Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de
Catalunya (Catalan Regional Rail Network). As regards sea transport, the
most important ports are those of Barcelona and Tarragona, both for the
sheer weight of passenger numbers as well as for the volume of trade that
pass through them. With regard to air transport, the most notable are the
airports of Barcelona, Girona and Reus. The road network connects the
whole of the autonomous region. The most notable roadways include the toll
paying motorways of the Mediterranean motorway and the Barcelona-Zaragoza
motorway.
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Properties in Spain 
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