Uploaded April 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Barcelona is a city on the coast of northeastern Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second-most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within city limits, its urban area extends to numerous neighbouring municipalities within the Province of Barcelona and is home to around 4.8 million people, making it the sixth-most populous urban area in the European Union after Paris, the Ruhr area, Madrid, and Milan.
It is one of the largest metropolises on the Mediterranean Sea, located on the coast between the mouths of the rivers Llobregat and Besòs, and bounded to the west by the Serra de Collserola mountain range, the tallest peak of which is 512 metres (1,680 feet) high.
Founded as a Roman city, in the Middle Ages Barcelona became the capital of the County of Barcelona. After merging with the Kingdom of Aragon, Barcelona continued to be an important city in the Crown of Aragon as an economic and administrative centre of this Crown and the capital of the Principality of Catalonia.
Barcelona is one of the world's leading tourist, economic, trade fair and cultural centres, and its influence in commerce, education, entertainment, sports, media, fashion, science, and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the major global cities.
In 2009 the city was ranked Europe's third and one of the world's most successful as a city brand.
Since 2011 Barcelona has been a leading smart city in Europe.
Country Spain
Autonomous community Catalonia
Province Barcelona
Comarca Barcelonès
Seat Barcelona City Hall
Districts
10
Government
• Type Mayor–council
• Body Barcelona City Council
• Mayor Ada Colau Ballano (Barcelona en Comú)
Area
• City 101.4 km2 (39.2 sq mi)
Elevation (AMSL) 12 m (39 ft)
Population (2018)
• City 1,620,343
• Rank 2nd
• Density 16,000/km2 (41,000/sq mi)
• Urban 4,840,000
• Metro 5,474,482
Demonyms Barcelonan, Barcelonian
barceloní, -ina (ca)
barcelonés, -esa (es)
Postal code
080xx
Area code +34 (E) 93 (B)
INE code 08 0193
City budget (2014) €2.6 billion
Official language Catalan and Spanish
Barcelona is a city on the coast of northeastern Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second-most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within city limits, its urban area extends to numerous neighbouring municipalities within the Province of Barcelona and is home to around 4.8 million people, making it the sixth-most populous urban area in the European Union after Paris, the Ruhr area, Madrid, and Milan.
It is one of the largest metropolises on the Mediterranean Sea, located on the coast between the mouths of the rivers Llobregat and Besòs, and bounded to the west by the Serra de Collserola mountain range, the tallest peak of which is 512 metres (1,680 feet) high.
Founded as a Roman city, in the Middle Ages Barcelona became the capital of the County of Barcelona. After merging with the Kingdom of Aragon, Barcelona continued to be an important city in the Crown of Aragon as an economic and administrative centre of this Crown and the capital of the Principality of Catalonia.
Barcelona is one of the world's leading tourist, economic, trade fair and cultural centres, and its influence in commerce, education, entertainment, sports, media, fashion, science, and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the major global cities.
In 2009 the city was ranked Europe's third and one of the world's most successful as a city brand.
Since 2011 Barcelona has been a leading smart city in Europe.
Country Spain
Autonomous community Catalonia
Province Barcelona
Comarca Barcelonès
Seat Barcelona City Hall
Districts
10
Government
• Type Mayor–council
• Body Barcelona City Council
• Mayor Ada Colau Ballano (Barcelona en Comú)
Area
• City 101.4 km2 (39.2 sq mi)
Elevation (AMSL) 12 m (39 ft)
Population (2018)
• City 1,620,343
• Rank 2nd
• Density 16,000/km2 (41,000/sq mi)
• Urban 4,840,000
• Metro 5,474,482
Demonyms Barcelonan, Barcelonian
barceloní, -ina (ca)
barcelonés, -esa (es)
Postal code
080xx
Area code +34 (E) 93 (B)
INE code 08 0193
City budget (2014) €2.6 billion
Official language Catalan and Spanish
