Catalonia facts for kids
Catalonia (called Catalunya in Catalan, Cataluña in Spanish, and Catalonha in Occitan) is a special region in Spain. It's located in the northeast, right below the eastern Pyrenees mountains, and shares a border with France.
Catalonia is made up of four areas called provinces: Barcelona, Tarragona, Girona, and Lleida. More than 7 million people live here, making it a busy and lively place!
The capital city of Catalonia is Barcelona. It's a big, exciting city right on the Mediterranean Sea. Barcelona hosted the Olympic Games in 1992 and is very popular with tourists, especially in summer, thanks to its beautiful coasts like Costa del Garraf and Costa del Maresme.
Catalonia has three official languages: Catalan, Spanish, and Occitan. Occitan is spoken in a small northern part of Catalonia called Val d'Aran, which is close to France.
Contents
What is Catalonia?
Catalonia is one of Spain's 17 "autonomous communities". This means it has its own local government and some control over its own affairs, like its police force and education. It's often called a "nationality" within Spain, which shows its unique history and culture.
Catalonia is known for being one of the richest parts of Southern Europe. This is partly because it was one of the first areas in Spain to become industrial, especially in making textiles (like clothes and fabrics). The region also gets more rain than Southern Spain, which helps different kinds of crops grow. The northern part of Catalonia is also cooler than the rest of Spain.
How is Catalonia Governed?
The main government body in Catalonia is called the Generalitat of Catalonia. It has a Parliament that makes laws for the region and a President who leads the government. This system allows Catalans to manage many of their own daily matters.
In 2006, the Catalan Parliament approved a new set of rules for how Catalonia is run, called the Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia. This document helps define Catalonia's special status within Spain.
Did Catalonia Declare Independence?
On October 27, 2017, the Catalan Parliament voted to declare independence from Spain. However, this declaration was not recognized by other countries around the world. Spain's government also did not accept it.
Images for kids
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The Roca dels Moros has ancient paintings that are a World Heritage Site.
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The ancient Iberian fortress of Els Vilars in Arbeca.
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A Roman aqueduct in Tarragona.
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Origins of the blason of the County of Barcelona, by Claudi Lorenzale.
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Hug IV, count of Empúries, and Pero Maça during the conquest of Mallorca (1229).
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A 15th-century picture of the Catalan Courts.
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The Principality of Catalonia in 1608.
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Corpus de Sang (June 7, 1640), a key event in the Reaper's War. Painted in 1910.
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The Third siege of Girona (1809) during the war against Napoleon.
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A demonstration after the Tragic Week in 1909.
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The Second Spanish Republic was declared on April 14, 1931, in Barcelona.
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The Olympic flame in the Olympic Stadium Lluís Companys of Barcelona during the 1992 Summer Olympics.
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Catalan president, Carles Puigdemont, speaks after the declaration of independence on October 27.
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The mountain of Montserrat and its monastery.
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The Montseny brook newt (Calotriton arnoldi), found only in the Montseny Massif.
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Tossa de Mar, on the Costa Brava.
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An aerial view of Barcelona, Spain.
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Peach fields in Aitona.
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Costa Brava beach. Tourism is very important for Catalonia.
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An industrial park in Castellbisbal.
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Factories in La Pobla de Mafumet, Tarragona.
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Eix Macià, Sabadell.
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The tower at Barcelona Airport.
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An aerial view of Zona Franca and the Port of Barcelona, Spain.
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Autovia C-16 (the Llobregat Axis).
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A High-speed train (AVE) at Camp de Tarragona.
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The Medieval church of Sant Climent de Taüll, in the Pyrenees foothills.
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The Sagrada Família in Barcelona.
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Mercè Rodoreda, a famous Catalan writer.
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Ana María Matute, another well-known writer.
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A "Castell" (human tower) by Colla Vella de Valls.
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Giants and big-heads during the main festival of La Seu d'Urgell.
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A "Tió de Nadal" (Christmas log) in Barcelona.
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People dancing the Sardana, a traditional Catalan dance.
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The Sitges Film Festival in 2009.
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The Flag of Catalonia.
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Pa amb tomàquet (bread with tomato), a popular Catalan dish.
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The Olympic Park of Montjuïc, Barcelona, with the Olympic Stadium Lluís Companys.
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Camp Nou, the home stadium of FC Barcelona.
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The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya race track.
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Pep Guardiola, a famous Catalan football coach.
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See also
In Spanish: Cataluña para niños
