What is Cataluna Spain?

Catalonia (Catalan: Catalunya, IPA: [kətəˈluɲə], Spanish: Cataluña, IPA: [kataˈluɲa]; Occitan: Catalonha, IPA: [kataˈluɲɔ]) is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, designated as a nationality by its Statute of Autonomy. It is officially bilingual, its own language being Catalan, and Spanish. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. The capital and largest city is Barcelona, the second-most-populous municipality in Spain and the sixth most populous urban area in the European Union with a population of 1.6 million within its administrative limits, and over 4.8 million in the urban area.

Catalonia is bordered by France and Andorra to the north, the Mediterranean Sea to the east, the Valencian Community to the south, and Aragon to the west. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 square kilometres (12,400 sq mi), making it the sixth largest autonomous community by land area in Spain. With 7,769,346 inhabitants (2021), it is the second most populous autonomous community, after Andalusia.

Catalonia is a developed region, with a GDP of €236 billion in 2017, which accounted for 19% of Spain's GDP. Catalonia has a high standard of living, with a GDP per capita of €30,600 in 2017, which is 22% above the Spanish average. Catalonia is also a leading tourist destination, with over 20 million international tourists in 2017.

The region has a rich cultural heritage, with a strong tradition of literature, music, and art. Catalan culture has been influenced by its geographical position, at the crossroads of the Mediterranean and Europe, and by its history of self-government. Catalonia has a strong sense of identity, and its people have a long history of fighting for their rights and freedoms.

Catalonia has been a part of Spain since the 15th century, but it has retained a strong sense of autonomy. In recent years, there has been a growing movement for Catalan independence, and a referendum on independence was held in 2017. However, the referendum was declared illegal by the Spanish government, and the Catalan government was subsequently dissolved. The issue of Catalan independence remains unresolved, and it is a source of tension between the Catalan and Spanish governments.