| About Barcelona |
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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, 1 of the 17 Autonomous Communities that make up Spain.
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 World's Fair became a symbol of the capacity for hard work and the international outlook projected by 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 multi-faceted and diverse cities. The visitor unfamiliar with its history might be surprised 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.
ClimateBarcelona enjoys a Mediterranean climate, in which extreme temperatures are rare. Average monthly temperatures are as follows (in Celsius)
The annual average of rainfall in Barcelona are 90 days. But it must be mentioned, that entire days of rain and days with completely covered skies are very rare and are less frequent than in the continental climate. And it must also be said that it's rarely raining day after day. The summer thunderstorms can be very rough but short and after a thunderstorm, within a few minutes the sun is shining again and the sky is blue without a cloud.
Food and DrinksBreakfast (desayuno) is generally a no-nonsense affair, taken at a bar on the way to work. Lunchtime (comida) is basically from 2pm to 4pm and is the main meal of the day. No local would contemplate chomping into dinner (cena) before 9pm. That said, although restaurants tend to stay open until 1am or so, most kitchens close by 11.30pm. In Barcelona, the tap water is not at all tempting and most people drink bottled water. It comes in innumerable brands. A 1.5L bottle of still mineral water costs around €0.60 in a supermarket, but out and about you may be charged as much as €1.50.
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Text: About Barcelona, WeBarcelona and Technical University of Catalonia
The Venue Area |
