Geography

Catalonia is one of the 17 autonomous regions in Spain. Triangle-shaped, Catalonia is situated in the Northeast of Iberian Peninsula, with the Mediterranean Sea to the east and the Pyrenees to the North. The four provinces under its jurisdiction are Barcelona, Lleida, Girona and Tarragona.

Capital   Barcelona 
 
Governor   Jordi Pujol 
 
Landspace and Population

Total land area: 31,980 sq.km.
Population: 6.15 million (16% of the total population)
 
History and Culture

Catalonia gradually took shape in the Middle Age Before, Catalonia had been colonized by Phoenicians and Greeks and then invaded by Romans, Visigoths and Arabs. Later, Catalonia merged with Aragon and, in the 15th century, with the Kingdom of Castilla, but always maintaining their own institutions. In the 18th century, Philip V, of the French Bourbon dynasty, abolished Catalonia's self-government and Catalan ceased to be its official language. In 1933, the autonomous government was restored. However, Catalonia lost its self-government with the 1936-1939 civil war and the rise of the dictator Francisco Franco. The Catalan language was forbidden as well. In 1975, with the fall of Franco, democracy was restored and Catalonia regained autonomy in many fields. Catalan has been recognised as Catalonia's own language and shares official status with Spanish. 
 
     
Economy and Industry

In 2001, the total GDP of Catalonia exceeded US$ 120 billion. ( US$ 108.9 billion in 2000). GDP per capita is about US$20,000. The main industries are manufacturing, tourism and banking sector. The capital city Barcelona is the sixth largest city in Europe, the largest port and the second largest city in Spain. Catalonia is of great importance in Spain economically. Catalonia, together with Rhone-Alpes Region of France, Lombadia Region of Italy, Baden-Wuerttemberg Land of Germany are considered the four engines of European economy.
 
 
Establishment of Sister Province/State Relationship

The Sister Province Relationship is established in September of 2003.
 
 
Friendly Exchanges

In 1988, Catalonia set up Joyco Foodstuff (China) Co., Ltd. in Panyu District of Guangzhou. In 1993, Guangdong Silk Corporation (Group) opened a business & trade office in Catalonia. Later, Roca and Ponsa set up manufacturing establishments in Foshan and Dongguan respectively. The official friendly relations started in 1999, when the Governor of GD, Mr. LU Ruihua visited Catalonia and signed the Joint Declaration to develop GD-Catalonia Friendly Cooperative Relationship with Mr. Jordi Pujol, President of Catalonia. In Sep., 2000, the Government & business delegation led by Mr. TANG Bingquan, Vice Governor of GD visited Catalonia and hosted a GD Investment Seminar. In the mean time, Mr. LI Changchun, Member of Chinese Poliburo and the Party Secretary of GD also visited Catalonia to promote the development of high-level official relationship. The establishment of Sister Province Relationship with Catalonia was formally approved by Chinese Government in 2002.

Editor: Catherine