Map of spain and catalonia with cities. Mother tongue problems in Northern Catalonia. African Animal Reservation
When people talk about Catalonia, they usually mean a historical region in Spain with a center in Barcelona, where locals speak their own Catalan language and dream of creating their own independent state.
However, the original Catalan territories are also Andorra (where Catalan is the official language), Balearic Islands(the largest is Mallorca), the Spanish regions of Valencia, Franga (Aragon) and El Carche (Murcia), the city of Alghero on the coast of Italian Sardinia and the Eastern Pyrenees department of the Languedoc-Roussillon region in France.
A little history of Catalonia
In the Middle Ages, when the Catalan people were formed, these lands were seized either by the West Goths, then by the Arabs, then by the Franks; small states arose, existed and perished here - the county of Roussillon, the Kingdom of Mallorca, the County of Barcelona, the Kingdom of Valencia, the county of Besalu, the county of Girona, etc.
In the 17th century, Catalonia finally lost its independence and, under the terms of the Iberian Peace Treaty of 1659, was divided between Spain and France.
Mother tongue problems in Northern Catalonia
Subsequently, for three centuries, the population of Northern Catalonia was subjected to forced assimilation. Today, in the Eastern Pyrenees, it is difficult to find people who speak their native Catalan language, although in recent years a movement for the revival of national language and culture has strengthened among young people. More and more young Catalans from France go to study not in Paris or Narbonne, but in Barcelona and Girona. Increasingly, in the cities and towns of the Eastern Pyrenees, you can see the yellow-red stripes of the Catalan flag. Well, national dances and Catalan cuisine, fortunately, were not forgotten by the local population.
To Northern Catalonia from Russia
Northern Catalonia remains a "white" spot on the map of France for the mass Russian tourist. There are no large hotels, Russian-speaking tour agencies, entertainment centers. This place is for lovers of calm, modest family vacation and activities water sports sports.
French Catalonia is a mostly agricultural region and mediterranean resort local importance. Getting here from Russia is not so easy, the easiest option is to fly to Barcelona by plane, and then travel 200 km by train or bus, separating main city Southern Catalonia from the main city Northern Catalonia- Perpignan. You can also fly to Perpignan by plane, but with a transfer in Paris.
Perpignan - the center of French Catalonia
Perpignan was once the capital of the Majorca kingdom and has survived to this day Royal Palace- one of the main attractions of the city. In addition to it, in Perpignan it is worth visiting the ancient Cathedral of St. John, the Le Castillet Fort Museum and the railway station, decorated by Salvador Dali. By the way, Figueres, where the famous Dali Theater Museum is located, is only two hours away by train.
Rest on the sea
Perpignan is located 15 km from sea coast so lovers beach holiday stop not here, but in small surrounding villages. These villages are former fishing villages, mainly retaining their characteristic features - Barcarès, Canet-en-Roussillon, Sant-Cyprien, Arzheles-sur-mer, Rakou, Leucate. All of them are rightly proud of their clean sandy beaches. The sea here is also very clean, but the water temperature is slightly lower than in neighboring regions. For windsurfers, the town of Leucate is very attractive - the windiest place on the Mediterranean. In addition, nudists have long settled in Leucate - a territory closed on all sides has been allocated for them, where they can relax in peace, while not embarrassing others, in a specially equipped "nudist village".
City of Colure
The pearl of Northern Catalonia is the small town of Colure, which has attracted artists from all over the world for centuries. Picturesque streets full of flowers and greenery, seascapes combined with bright sunlight, they give them a very special palette of colors. There are always a lot of tourists in the city walking along the streets and visiting the ancient West-Gothic Royal Palace. And in Colure, the best anchovies in France are produced, and the restaurants serve delicious seafood and fish.
African Animal Reservation
Benefits of a holiday in Northern Catalonia
Housing and food prices on the coast of Roussillon are several times lower than on the famous Cote d'Azur or in Marseille; public transport, with the exception of electric trains, rarely runs; in local markets, you can buy vegetables without chemicals, homemade wine and oysters from farmers, and freshly caught fish, squid and shellfish from fishermen.
Have a nice trip!
There is nothing better trip V exotic countries. Holidays in the Philippines can give you an unforgettable experience if you let the local flavor captivate you. This place seems to be created in order to relax and let life flow next to you, but in a different way, dragging you into a completely different, unusual direction. The most important thing here is, of course, luxurious beaches And exciting diving that will be remembered for a lifetime.
What is Catalonia and where is it in general? Everything you need to know about Spain's most free-spirited region is below.
- one of the seventeen autonomous Spanish regions located in the northeast of the country. In the north, Catalonia borders with France, and in the east it juts out to the Mediterranean Sea.
About 7.5 million people live in it. Comfortable mediterranean climate, picturesque nature and a developed economy make Catalonia an extremely attractive place for living and tourism.
Catalonia is subdivided into 4 provinces: Barcelona, Lleida.
At the beginning of our era, the territories of present-day Catalonia were the property of the Roman Empire. Following the collapse ancient rome the predominant majority of Spain was first captured by the German tribes of the Visigoths, who were replaced two centuries later by the Moors (Muslims of North Africa) who came from the South.
Unlike the predominant part of Spain, the Catalan territories were in the power of the Moors for a very short time. And in the 9th century, an independent County of Barcelona arose, which in the 12th century formalized a dynastic union with the neighboring Kingdom of Aragon. This is how the Crown of Aragon appeared - a powerful medieval power, the existence of which was the golden age of Catalan history.
6. Language
In addition to the Castilian (Spanish) language, which is indispensable for the whole of Spain, it has an official status in Catalonia, which is spoken by the majority of the inhabitants here. The Catalan language is related to the Romance language group and, despite the similarities with Spanish and French, has developed as an independent language for a long time and does not act as a dialect of any of the above.
7. Culture
is one of the key areas. She is known throughout the world as one of the best tourist destinations on the map of Europe, where you can experience the pleasure of a beach holiday and visit unique sights. For tourists from Russia, Catalonia is a proven option that has long established itself. When studying the map of Catalonia, many give their preference, among other directions, to the coasts and.
Barcelona is the capital autonomous community. The official languages are: Catalan, Spanish, Aran. About seven million people live in Catalonia, some of whom are immigrants. Their share is gradually increasing, and now it is in the region of 7%.
The status defines it as one of the 17 autonomous regions of Spain. Having studied the north-east of the country, it can be found on the map. In the north, Catalonia borders on France, in the east it extends to the Mediterranean Sea. Catalonia on the map of Spain occupies an important position in terms of international economic relations.
The population of Catalonia is about 7.5 million people. Many mark Catalonia on the map of Spain due to comfortable climatic conditions, beautiful natural scenery and strong economic performance.
When determining the boundaries of the coasts of the Costa Dorada and Costa Brava, confusion regularly arises. According to tour operators from Russia, the Costa Brava is located in the north of Barcelona to the border with France. When studying a map of Catalonia, they determine that the Costa Dorada is the coast south of Barcelona and to the border with Valencia.
Western maps assign the status of the border between the coasts to the city of Blanes, which is located fifty kilometers north of the capital of Catalonia. When comparing cards, troubles arise. It is officially determined that the border of the territory of the Costa Brava on the map runs from Cape San Sebastian to Cape Creus, and the territory of the Costa Dorada - from Cape Tortosa to Cape San Sebastian.
The inhabitants of Catalonia are accustomed to a certain division, which has firmly entered their lives and seems to them more convenient. If real estate transactions are planned, it is better to use the standard Catalan division. This will avoid misunderstandings when communicating with local workers.
Borders of Catalonia on the map of Spain
The inhabitants of this autonomous region are accustomed to dividing the coast map into 4 "shores". The Costa Brava covers the territory between the cities of Roses and Blanes. For the Costa Maresme, land is allocated between the cities of Malgrat de Mar and Barcelona. The Costa Garraf section is located on the map between Barcelona and the municipality of Vilanova i la Geltru. And the Costa Dorada is concentrated between the municipality of Vilanova i la Geltru and the autonomous region of Valencia. This is how the locals define the borders of Catalonia on the map of Spain. It is advisable to be guided by this division when communicating with citizens of the autonomous region of Catalonia.
From important facts it is worth noting that on geographical map Catalonia is located in the northeast Iberian Peninsula. Administratively, this area is defined as an autonomous community.
The economic situation in Catalonia is a matter of pride
When studying official statistics, one can be convinced that Catalonia is the most important region for the country's economy. If we analyze the value of manufactured products, we can draw the following conclusion: 16% of the country's population produces 23% of the gross domestic product. Main production capacity located on the map near Barcelona, where about 50% of the inhabitants of the autonomous region live and work. The tourism sector is of great importance for the development of Catalonia: every year about 16 million travelers from different corners peace.
Catalonia on the map of Spain is an autonomy. A separate advantage, emphasizing its status, is the presence of its own domain on the Internet (cat).
For the inhabitants of Russia, the name Catalonia has become familiar, in Spanish it is written as Cataluna, and is pronounced "Catalunya".
The Russian language introduces differences in the formation of adjectives associated with Catalonia. A suitable adjective that describes something directly related to the language is "
Many have heard about an unusual region in Spain - Catalonia, but not everyone can show on the map where it is located. Spain is enough big country, there are seventeen autonomous regions, the most famous are the Basque Country, Andalusia, Galicia and, of course, Catalonia.
Almost every region has something to see, where to go, because there are more than a thousand cultural and natural monuments throughout the country.
Sometimes tourists from one region go to another, only to enjoy other sights. They try to visit Catalonia first of all, because there is so much beauty here that you can’t find anywhere else.
Girona, Figueres - every city here is filled with colorful streets that have colorful atmosphere. It is this region that brings into our lives the main stereotypes and associations about the whole country.
In contact with
Where is Catalonia located?
And so, where to look for real Spanish comfort, where is this region located? Catalonia is located in the northeast. In the north there is a border with Andorra and France. Washed by the Balearic Sea mediterranean sea, the length of the coast is about 580 kilometers. In the neighborhood are such regions as Aragon, Valencia. 
The area of the region is 32 thousand square kilometers, the region is divided into provinces - Lleida, Girona and Barcelona. Each province is full of tourists and attractions.
Take note: The capital of Catalonia is Barcelona - a city with a population of 2 million people, which is confirmed by Wikipedia. On the map of Spain, it occupies only a small part, but at the same time seven million people live in the entire region - this is the second largest region of the country.
All these people recognize three official languages- Catalan, Spanish and Occitan. Moreover, the Catalans like to emphasize that they do not speak Spanish, namely the Catalan language.
The northern part is more suitable for lovers of natural attractions, because there are National parks and reserves, for example, national park Pyrenees.
Spain and Catalonia on the map
Finding Spain on the world map is easy! But finding Catalonia is already more difficult. 
Catalonia is one of the most popular tourist regions for recreation, because there is the sea, culture, and nature, so if you are planning to come here, do not be too lazy to study the map of the region in detail. Usually everyone stops in Barcelona, since from there you can easily get to neighboring cities.
Note: tourist season in Catalonia takes place all year round. Summers are dry and hot, while winters are mild with little rainfall. The favorable Mediterranean climate allows the Catalans to grow olives, almonds, grapes, and corn.
And it is also believed that it is here that the most delicious traditional food. Paella and jamon can be tasted both in the restaurant and in the market.
Map of Catalonia with cities in Russian
A Russian tourist, of course, will find it more convenient to use a map of Spain and Catalonia, where all roads, rivers and cities are signed in Russian. Most locals will be able to keep up a conversation in English, although they are very pleased when people can speak at least a little Spanish. 
The sights of Barcelona attract many tourists, connoisseurs of culture come here to look at the Sagrada Familia, Park Güell and Tibidabo. And Gaudí's architecture will never let you go again, all these lines and angles create an amazing image of the building.
Nature is very beautiful throughout the region, greenery everywhere, flowers even in autumn, incredible mountains and lakes. 
You should definitely climb Mount Montserrat, visit Poblet Monastery, see Cathedral Girona and so on.
This region is quite expensive for recreation, but if you take tickets in advance, you can leave for only six thousand round trip from Moscow or St. Petersburg. Usually, airlines arrange sales in the off-season, and in summer and spring you can easily catch chartered flight at a favorable cost.
Map of Catalonia with resorts in Russian
The cleanest and warm sea is another reason to visit this particular region. 
Many beaches have high reviews and are the best in all of Spain. The water temperature here is +15 even in December, although the Spaniards themselves do not swim.
The best resorts are:
There are also beaches in Barcelona itself. Here they hold parties, arrange events all year round, play sports and just meet friends. 
Pick up suitable hotel with access to the sea or a private pool, it will not be difficult. Catalonia is a developed region, therefore most of residents are employed in the service sector, which means that there will be no problems with housing. There are cheap hostels where an overnight stay starts from 15 euros. And you can pick up an affordable hotel 2-3 stars, where 1500-3000 rubles will come out per night.
For the richest, there are 5 star hotels that have the most best view to the sights or the beach. It is better to book all places in advance, at least two months before the intended trip, because new tourists come to Spain every day who are looking for better places.
Conclusion
Catalonia is an amazing region of Spain. At first glance, it may seem that this is a completely different country, although the map shows that this is not the case. They speak here in their own dialect, which is called the Catalan language, considering it to be primordially correct. It even has its own flag, coat of arms, anthem, why not a real country?
In addition, the residents themselves have repeatedly spoken out about separating from Spain, every few years they even hold a referendum here, but so far the majority is against this decision. All the main stereotypes and rumors about the country as a whole are, as a rule, the traditions of Catalonia.
National food, costumes, holidays and festivals - this is where modern Spanish culture came from. The Catalans themselves often answer the question about their nationality and answer: "Catalan". The people here are friendly and welcoming, men do not skimp on compliments, so the girls will be especially pleased to be here.
Catalonia arose in the 10th century, since then this region has experienced a lot. It was attacked by the Cathaginians, Romans, Alans and Visigoths, but the land managed to resist, the people proved that they were able to defend their territory.
Interesting fact: for all the time, Catalonia has been part of France, now it is part of Spain, although in the hearts of the locals they are still confident that someday they will be able to create their own independent, strong country.
Currently, the government of Catalonia has gained independence in many matters related to the economy and politics, although complete freedom they are not going to provide. One way or another, Catalonia is a valuable region of Spain that the state does not want to lose. Every year, large sums come from tourism to the treasury, so it is not profitable for the country to liberate Catalonia, although freedom has been granted to it.
To get to know this part of the Iberian Peninsula better, look at the map of Catalonia. The region has clear contours against a general Spanish background: a triangle turned with its tip down will be the desired territory.
Let's get acquainted with the creation of cartographers from Google:
Convenient, functional. An excellent interactive option, which should be supplemented with several "static" counterparts, including in Russian:
These cards will come in handy when you won't be able to use the online options.
Separately, it is worth noting the physical map:
It shows how diverse Catalan nature is. Despite the relatively small area, the autonomy has the sea, mountains, and forests - almost everything that is required for recreation: active and beach. It is no coincidence that the flow of tourists is only increasing every year.
Where is Catalonia
Located in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula. Autonomy borders on France in the north, Aragon in the west and Valencia in the south. All East End The region is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea. Length coastline is 580 kilometers. You can evaluate its bends on this map of the coast:
The coast of Catalonia is world famous resorts. Costa Brava, Costa Dorada, Costa de Maresme - everyone has heard these names at least once in their life. And many on personal experience made sure that rest here is characterized only by superlatives.
You will soon find out for yourself!
