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SPAIN

Exploring Barcelona

EUROPE FORUM

Barcelona is the jewel in the Mediterranean crown.

PHOTO GALLERY: Spain
SLIDESHOW

FYI - Editorial suggestions are welcome.

A cosmopolitan home to 1.5 million, Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain and the capital of Catalonia.

NATURAL WORLD

Barcelona is located on the Iberian Peninsula's Mediterranean coast on a plateau bordered by the Colllserola mountain range and the Llobregat and Besòs rivers.

PARC NATURAL DE COLLSEROLA

Parc Natural de Collserola is a 6,500-hectare metropolitan oasis. The nature reserve is located on the Massís del Collserola and features Mediterranean flora, including pine and willow trees. The park can be reached by metro with stops at Roquetes or Zona Universitària or by the Ferrocarriles de la Generalitat de Catalunya.

MARKETS

Boqueria

SPORTS

Barcelona was the proud host of the 1992 Olympics which fueled a buoyant economy.

VISITING?

LOCATION - Coordinates : 41°23?N, 2°11?E

LANGUAGE - Barcelona's official languages are Catalan and Spanish. Most signage is in Catalan.

TRANSPORTATION -- Barcelona is served by El Prat International Airport (code BCN), 3 kilometers from town.

Barcelona is also a major hub for RENFE, the Spanish state railway network. Biking? Check out Bicing.

INFORMATION PLEASE - Visitor information centers are located throughtout the city.

FYI - According to a 2007 report, most people get around Barcelona on foot or by public transport. Private vehicles are only used for 19% of journeys around the city. In contrast, this rises to 37.7% in the metropolitan region, with 42% on foot, and 19.6% by public transport.

UPCOMING EVENT - World Conservation Congress (Barcelona 2008)

SPANISH LANGUAGE SCHOOLS - Granada is home to the Spanish-language school Babylon Idiomas.