In a privileged position on the northeastern coast of the Iberian peninsula and the shores of the Mediterranean, Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain in both size and population. It is also the capital of Catalonia, an Autonomous Community within Spain. There are two official languages spoken in Barcelona: Catalan, generally spoken in all of Catalonia, and Castillian Spanish. The city of Barcelona has a population of 1,630,000, but this number spirals to more than 4,000,000 if the outlying areas are also included.

The capital of Catalonia is unequivocally a Mediterranean city, not only because of its geographic location but also and above all because of its history, tradition and cultural influences. The documented history of the city dates back to the founding of a Roman colony on its soil in the second century B.C. Modern Barcelona experienced spectacular growth and economic revival at the onset of industrialization during the second half of the 19th century. The 1888 Worlds' Fair became a symbol of the capacity for hard work and the international outlook projected for the city. Culture and the arts flourished in Barcelona and in all of Catalonia; the splendor achieved by Catalonian modernism is one of the most patent displays.
Barcelona, more than just a single city, is really a collection of multifaceted and diverse cities. The visitor unfamiliar with its history might be surprised by the fact that such a modern and enterprising city preserves its historic Gothic center almost intact, or by the curious contrast between the maze of narrow streets and the grid-like layout of the Eixample, the urban planning "enlargement"project of the end of the 19th century; or that beside a modern high-rise, we can also find a quaint square where the most outstanding decorative element is a chimney, an echo of the old factories that were installed there in the past.

The Barri Gotic or Gothic Quarter, the oldest part of the city, is located in the southeastern part of the city. The nerve center of Barcelona is considered the Placa de Catalunya. La Rambla runs from the Placo de Catalunya to the Columbus monument in the port. From the port, the street called Avinguda del Paral-lel will take you to the Placa de Espanya, where the Fira de Barcelona complex is located. From the Avinguda Reina Maria Cristina, the Palau Nacional can be viewed, nestled on the hill called Montjuic, where numerous sports installations were erected and remodeled for the 1992 Olympic Games. The Gran Via de les Corts Catolones, running from west to east; the Posseig de Gracia, from south to north; and the Avinguda Diagonal, transversely, are the main arteries of the Example area, designed in the last third of the 19th century. Residential neighborhoods, including Sarria, Bonanova and Pedralbes, are situated northeast of the city.

The major art galleries are to be found in the Eixample in the vicinity of the streets of C. Consell de Cent, Passeig de Gracia, C. Mallorca and C. Balmes. There are also numerous galleries near the Estacio de Franca and along C. Petrixol. The majority of antique shops are also in the Eixomple. On Passeig de Gracia on the first floor of a shopping center, we find the Bulevord dels Anticuaris with 73 antique shops. In the old Jewish quarter Call, in the heart of the Gothic quarter, especially on C. Banys Nous and C. Palla, there are a considerable number of shops where you can find rare antiques. Next to the Mercat dels Encants, around the intersection of C. Arago and C. Dos de Maig, there are several antique wholesalers who also sell to the general public.

Catalan cuisine defies summarizing with a few typical dishes. Dishes with deep-rooted country origins, from the humble escudella to the rich and varied seafood cuisine, from grilled fish to excellent suquet de peix can be sampled in Barcelona. There are also many different ways to prepare codfish, an ample repertoire of fowl and game, including rabbit with snails, Catalan-style partridge or boar, and numerous specialties from the Ampurdan region, such as duck with pears, chicken with shrimp or lobster, etc. Finally, we must not forgot dishes using duck and goose as their main ingredient, as well as snails and mushrooms. Desserts are also varied and are not limited to the most typical ones, such as crema catalana (custard with a carmel crust) and mel i mato (cottage cheese and honey). Catalunya is a land of good wines, particularly the wines from Penedes, Casters del Segre, Alella and Perelada. Penedes is the region par-excellence of the sparkling wine called cava.

Between the Playa de Catalunya and C. Portaferrissa and along Av. Portal de I'Angel, an important shopping area can be found, including two department stores and many shops selling fashions, accessories and other articles. In a good part of the Example, we find numerous select fashion shops and jewelry stores. On the Passeig de Gracia and in other parts of the Example, commercial galleries abound. The area of Diagonal, in the high part of the city, is another interesting shopping area. Here we find two department stores, along with the most famous designer boutiques in Barcelona. In Playa de las Glories Catalanes we find the Mercat de les Encants, a flea market selling all kinds of old (sometimes antique) and new articles. Its opens on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Another flea-market can be found outside the Mercat de San Antoni on the same days as the Les Encants flea-market and with the same hours. On Sunday mornings there is an unusual flea-market of old books, collector cards, movie posters and records.

Bars, cafes, clubs and discotheques abound in the vicinity south of Av. Diagonal between C. Pau Claris and C. Aribou. The music beats are as diverse as the ambience and cater to all different tastes. Above the Av. Diagonal, on C. Santalo and nearby, in the vicinity of the Placa Francesc Macia, a more upscale selection of night spots can be found. The streets of C. Aribau and C. Muntaner are also very lively at night. In the area of Av. del Tibidabao, at the end of the Tramvia blau (blue tram), there are several musical and dance spots in a more relaxed environment which are very popular in the summer.
The Poble Espanyol )Spanish Village) on Montjuic provides a striking background for one of the most unique night spots.