BARCELONA, CITY OF FAIRS
Barcelona, capital of Catalonia, has a long trading tradition. It is a dynamic, welcoming city and one of the major economic and business centres of Mediterranean Europe, actively engaged in the European community market and Latin America. Around 4.5 million inhabitants live in its metropolitan area.
Thanks to both its privileged position on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and its economic, social and cultural dynamism, Barcelona's influence extends over a wide area in southern Europe.
The Catalan capital has turned innovation, technological development, design and top quality service into basic elements of its identity.
Barcelona is a modern cosmopolitan city, which has managed to preserve an important cultural, architectural and monumental historic legacy.
Major events, such as the World's Fair of 1888, the International Exhibition of 1929, the 1992 Olympic Games and the 2004 Forum of Cultures have contributed to the development and modernisation of the city and its wide range of influence.
Barcelona has a modern hotel infrastructure and boasts first rate shops and leisure, cultural and tourist attractions. The climate is Mediterranean, with mild winters and warm summers. The city has over four kilometres of beach and is very close to the Costa Brava and the ski resorts of the Pyrenees.