Catalanes

Catalanes is the term used to describe the people, culture, and language associated with Catalonia, a region in the northeastern Iberian Peninsula that is now an autonomous community of Spain. The Catalan-speaking population extends beyond the political borders of Catalonia to nearby areas where the language is spoken or culturally linked, including parts of Valencia, the Balearic Islands, and the Pyrenees regions of France. The term encompasses a historical and cultural identity as well as modern demographic realities.

Language is a central element of Catalan identity. Catalan is a Romance language descended from Latin, with varieties such as Central Catalan (including Barcelona), Valencian, and Balearic. It is co-official with Spanish in Catalonia and has official status in Valencia and the Balearic Islands. Catalan is used in education, media, government, and daily life, and is also spoken in Andorra, parts of France (Northern Catalonia), and among diaspora communities around the world.

Historically, the Catalan region emerged as a distinct political and cultural entity within the medieval Crown of Aragon. In modern times, Catalonia became an autonomous community under the Spanish constitution of 1978, with ongoing debates about autonomy and independence. The political landscape includes movements advocating greater autonomy or independence, alongside those supporting continued integration within Spain.

Catalan culture has made lasting contributions to art, literature, architecture, and cuisine. Notable Catalans include architect Antoni Gaudí, designer Lluís Domènech i Montaner, painter Joan Miró, and writer Salvador Espriu. The cultural heritage is expressed through festivals, traditional music, and regional culinary specialties such as pa amb tomàquet, calçots, and other regional dishes.