As the capital and most populous city of the Catalonia region in Spain, as well as the second largest city in the country, Barcelona is an important cultural and economic hub for Spain. With a total population of over 3 million, Barcelona is a growing city and a popular tourist destination because of the variety of attractions that the city offers.

The founding of Barcelona remains uncertain, with two legends making up the lore on the matter. One legend attributes the creating of the city to Hercules, which was then rebuilt by Hamilcar Barca, a Carthaginian. The second legend gives most of the credit directly to Barca. The entire Iberian Peninsula was controlled by the Romans for a period of time starting in the year 19 BC, but over the course of the next several hundred years, the region would change hands again and again. Barcelona as a Spanish entity began to take shape in the 12th century, while modern Barcelona truly had its beginning in the 1970s.

Barcelona is located on the northeastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula on a plateau facing the Mediterranean Sea. A coastal mountain range shelters the city to the northwest, towering above the city with peaks over 1,600 feet tall. Barcelona enjoys a Mediterranean climate with wet winters and dry summers, temperatures tending to gravitate away from the extremes. Snowfall is extremely rare, even during the winter, as the average temperature is about 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sixty eight municipal parks dot the cityscape of Barcelona, providing an escape from the urban environment. Twelve of these are historic, while the rest are either botanical parks, urban parks, or forest parks. Barcelona also has seven beautiful beaches, although the sand tends to be blown away in storms. The city features a historical district and a financial district, one of the most important in Spain because of the influence that the city has on the country.

Entertainment and the performing arts are important parts of Barcelona’s culture, with traditional performances hosted alongside internationally-influenced presentations. Museums feature all areas and eras of artistic, cultural, and historical importance. The architecture is a stunning mix of contemporary styles, old Spanish Colonial style, and authentic Gothic architecture. The work of renowned architect Antonio Gaudi is featured throughout the city.

Tags: Barcelona, Mediterranean, Spain