Barcelona

Barcelona is a city in the autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain. It lies on the northeastern Mediterranean coast, at the estuary of the Llobregat and Besòs rivers. It is the capital of Catalonia and of the province of Barcelona. The city has a long history dating to the Roman era and today is a major economic and cultural center. The population of the city proper is about 1.6 million, with a metropolitan area of around 4.8 million.

The area was founded as Barcino by the Romans and grew through the Middle Ages as a commercial port. It became a political and cultural hub within the Crown of Aragon. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries it was a center of Modernisme, an architectural and artistic movement that produced landmark buildings.

Notable architectural works include Antoni Gaudí's Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Casa Milà (La Pedrera) and Casa Batlló. Other major sites include the Palau de la Música Catalana and the Gothic Quarter. The city has a strong cultural tradition with contributions from artists such as Picasso and Joan Miró.

Barcelona is a major economic center with tourism, commerce and services, plus a growing tech sector. The port and the airport (Barcelona–El Prat) handle international traffic. It is also home to FC Barcelona, one of the world's leading football clubs, and Camp Nou, its stadium.

The city hosted the 1992 Summer Olympics, which spurred urban renewal and added infrastructure, beaches and cultural venues that remain central to its identity.