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 Surroundings
Catalonië
Catalonia is an autonomous region in the north -east of Spain. It has about 6,5 million inhabitants and is surrounded by France, Andorra, the regions Aragon and Valencia, and the Mediterranean sea. It’s capital is well known Barcelona.
Catalonia is divided into four districts: Gerona, Lérida, Barcelona and Tarragona. In the northern and centre part, it’s mainly a mountainous area. But near the sea, the river Ter has created a wide coastal plain, south of the Bay of Rosas. Barcelona and the surrounding coastal towns are situated in the Llobregat delta.
Last but not least there is the river Ebro, which winds down through the mountains, on it’s way to the Mediterranean, passing the old city of Tortosa, and eventually creating the beautiful National Park of the delta, famous for it’s wildlife and birds.
Catalonia is also the most prosperous region of Spain. Catalan is widely spoken, although most of the population can speak Spanish (Castillano). During the Spanish Civil War in the 1930’s, the people were banned form speaking Catalan and until the Dictator General Franco died in 1975, the language was rarely heard in public. But after his death the people of Catalonia declared it was to be their first language.
Barcelona
Barcelona
Of cause there is Barcelona. Situated at the coast of the Mediterranean, it is the second most important city of Spain. The city alone holds 1.6 million inhabitants, and including surrounding suburbs it’s a living area of about 5 million people.
Barcelona is a typical Mediterranean city. Not only because of the geographical location, but especially because of history, traditions and cultural influences. The history of the city takes us back to the Roman era; a Roman colony was located here in the second century B.C. The modern Barcelona started its spectacular growth during industrialisation in the second half of the 19th century.
Culture and art are very flourishing in Barcelona (and in Catalonia). Splendour through modernism is one of the most obvious examples of prosperity in culture and art. Barcelona is more than one city, it’s virtually a amalgamate of individual different city’s.
Tourists with no knowledge of the history of Barcelona are sometimes very surprised by the fact that modern and busy Barcelona has so well preserved the historical heart of the city.
Or the are surprised by the strange contract between the maze of streets in the inner city and the rectilinear design of other parts, for instance the Example-district, where you can find mixtures of modern design and architecture of late 19th and 20th century.
Barcelona has got almost everything a modern holidaymaker can hope for.
Tarragona
Tarragona , back to Roman times.
The city is located at the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It has over 130.000 inhabitants and gathers the advantages of a capital and an economy in expansion, and the attractions of a splendid nature, a gentle climate and an extraordinary monumental ensemble.
Tarragona brings us back to Roman times, for there are still many important ancient remains to be seen. It was the military base for conquering the Iberian peninsula, and under (emperor) Augustus is became the capital of the Hispania Tarraconense or Citerior. Its importance is still noticeable through the amount and the magnitude of the constructions erected during said period (as a praetorium); a circus, theatre, amphitheatre, citizen and provincial fora, walls, aqueduct, etc.
That’s why the city has been declared " World Heritage City " by UNESCO, and from that point the city has made an intense effort to be more and more perfect!
But Tarragona is also known for its many special Fiestas organised throughout the year such as the Santa Tecla, Sant Jordi, Sant Magi and the international Fireworks Competition (in July). Furthermore, the harbour area, el Serrallo, is renowned for its gastronomic tradition.
And last but not least, the nearby Universal Studios theme park Port Aventura is one of the largest in Europe.
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