Catalonia is the Europe Gate of Spain. This Mediterranean country, dinamic and enterprising, its richness in history & culture and its vast diversity of landscapes, are stealing the hearts of millions of travelers worldwide.
A COUNTRY OF LONG HERITAGE
As a crossroads, Catalonia has witnessed the passing of Civilizations that made the Mediterranean the sea of Human History. Iberians, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Jews, Christians and Muslims have been across, as a land of opportunity. Today, Catalonia’s own language Catalan is co-official with Spanish. It has inspired enormous production in all literary genres – from classical authors to modern witers-, regularly translated into many languages. Sant Jordi -St. George’s Day-, when the streets are filled with books and roses, has become a universal celebration since April 23rd was declared World Book and Copyright Day.
The sites in Catalonia catalogued as World Heritage by UNESCO include, amongst others: the Romanesque churches of Vall de Boí, in the Pyrenees; nine Art Nouveau buildings in Barcelona, including Antoni Gaudí’s Park Güell. Moreover, Catalonia’s Human Towers or Castells have been declared World Intangible Heritage.
INNOVATION, RESEARCH AND HEALTH
Catalonia is a top leader in many disciplines such as Biomedics & Surgery -Ophtalmology, Fertility and Transplants-, Telecommunications. Its excellence R&D&I Centres attract scientists from around the world, finding in a very healthy and pleasing way of life. Even in culinary, thanks to his extraordinary creativity, Ferran Adrià has been acclaimed as the world’s first chef for five consecutive years.
Firmly committed to developing the smart city concept, moreover, Barcelona is the world mobile capital. The country’s standing is further enhanced by twelve Catalan Universities and leading businesses schools.
DESIGN
Made in Catalonia is a seal of distinction. Catalan designers are leaders in the field of bridal wear and Barcelona hosts such shows as Barcelona Fashion. Innovators in Industrial Design, whilst Custo Barcelona, Desigual and Mango have spread trending shops around the world.
MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRY OF CONTRASTS
Sea and mountains, sand and snow. Alltogether with 300 sunshine days per year and mild weather all year round: Catalonia enjoys a truly superb climate. The rugged Pyrenees – with several peaks well over 2000 & 3000 metres; the inland mountain ranges; the charming villages and the farmed fields of the plains. Alltogether attracting more than thirteen million foreign visitors every year.
Catalonia has 580Km of coastline, awarded many Blue Flags by the European Union for the quality of waters. Here are charming coves, such as those in Cadaqués on the Costa Brava – which inspired Salvador Dalí-, and beaches of fine sand including many of the Costa Daurada.
A HEALTHY COUNTRY
The star products are local fruit and vegetables, Mediterranean fish and olive oil, having many DO designations. Thanks to their innovative culinary style, chefs like Ferran Adrià and Roca Brothers -whose restaurant was named as the Best in the World in 2013-, have all been awarded three Michelin stars.
The natural beauty of Catalonia invites families to discover the country’s rich landscapes as they change with the seasons. Periods of milder temperatures are ideal for discovering footpaths, mountains, wetlands, parks and nature reserves – on foot or by bycicle-, observing the diverse fauna & flora. Other leisure facilities include theme parks -Port Aventura and Bioparc Valencia-, spa hotels, golf courses, sailing, diving and so on.
SPORTING TRADITIONS
Barcelona organised the 1992 Olympic Games. Sport is very popular in Catalonia, where there are hundreds of clubs and FC Barcelona is the most renamed. Catalan football, basketball -with such stars as Marc & Pau Gasol-, handball, hockey, water polo, swimming, athletics and tennis -Rafa Nadal-, have won major titles as top athletes.
INTERCONNECTED COUNTRY
With a total population of seven and a half million people, there can be a few cities in the world where such a concentration of first-class infrastructure is found in such a small space as in Barcelona. Motorway networks, commercial port and a marina, European-gauge high speed railway lines, intercontinental airport, free trade zone, logistics parks, an inter-contiental airport, free-trade zone, logistics parks, an international trade fair site, science parks and universities turn the city into the logistics capital of Southern Europe, a beacon of economic and scientific progress. In short, a multimodal hub in the heart of the Mediterranean Corridor, connecting Catalonia with the rest of the world by land, sea and air.
