Barcelona - Spanish City

Barcelona is the principal city of Catalonia (Cataluña), and it is the second largest city in Spain (population: approximately four million people). It is Spain’s main industrial city and has been an important seaport for more than two thousand years. Many Spanish books are printed in Barcelona. It contains and is known for unique works by master architect Antonio Gaudí.

Gaudí’s work is admired by architects around the world as being one of the most unique and distinctive architectural styles. His work has had a huge influence on Barcelona Architecture and you can see Gaudí’s work all over the city. From the very beginning his designs his designs were different than those of his contemporaries. His work was heavily influenced by forms of nature. This is reflected by the use of curved stones, iron, and natural looking forms. Gaudí also decorated many of his buildings with colored tiles arranged in patterns similar to how mosaics are ordered. This added a different aspect to his buildings , colors. The mix of design, shaped stoneworks, and colors in Gaudí’s work gives the people a beautiful, visual experience. Some examples of his work are Park Güell, Casa Battló, and the giant temple of Sagrada Familia.

Barcelona’s typical food, due to its proximity with the Mediterranean, are mainly prepared with seafood. However, cereals, vegetables, and fruits makes this cuisine one of the greatest Catalan legacies and traditions. Barcelona is popularly known as the “Capital of the Mediterranean diet”. Among the most typical dishes of Barcelona, “Escudella i carn d’olla” is one of the more popular ones, a soup consisting of pork, beef, and chicken with vegetables, rice, noodles, and potatoes. Another popular dish found in Barcelona is the “Arroz a la cazuela. This dish is very similar to the paella. One of the most delicious and popular dishes is ‘Escalivada”, prepared with grilled eggplant and red peppers in a sauce made with olive oil and garlic. In Barcelona, you can also enjoy a broad selection of red wines such as Peralada, Alella, Tarragona, and Priorat.

Barcelona has a Mediterranean climate, consisting of mild, humid winters and warm, dry summers. July and August are the warmest months in Barcelona with temperatures from 25 to 31 degrees Celsius. This type of temperature/weather are great for holidays that can be celebrate outside on the beach or having a BBQ. December, January, and February are the coldest months, with average temperatures around 14 degrees Celsius.

The region of Catalonia (Barcelona is within this region) has two official languages, Spanish and Catalan. In offices and schools, Catalan