sumed its own cultural identity. Since then,
Catalonia has thrived, becoming Spain’s
leading economic region. Today, Catalonia
represents only 6 percent of Spain’s area and
16 percent of its population, but it creates 20
percent of the country’s GDP.
Spain, on the other hand, is currently
fraught with economic difficulties. It has a
sluggish economy, soaring unemployment
and banks facing collapse.
It is Catalonia’s prosperous economy coupled with its continued separatist leanings
that has led to its renewed interest in seceding from Spain. Catalonia is currently Spain’s
most indebted region and recently asked Madrid for a US $6.43 billion (5 billion euros)
The people of Catalonia, an autonomous
bailout. The Spanish government says it will
region of Spain, are pushing for indepennot consider a bailout without austerity meadence. On September 11, an estimated 1.5
sures in place.
million Catalans held a pro-independence
Catalonia’s government argues that it
march that helped push the issue onto a refershould not be required to
endum ballot set for Novemimpose austerity rules on its
ber 25. While the vote is noncitizens. The region pays US
binding, it will send a strong
$19 billion (15 billion euros)
message to Spain’s central
© 2012
Bay of Biscay
more every year in taxes to
government.
FRANCIA
the Spanish government than
Europe’s debt crisis has fuAsturias Cantabria Pais
it receives in funding for sereled the Catalonian indepenANDORRA
Vasco
vices and public projects.
dence issue. While Catalonia
Galicia
Navarra
Its tax burden represents 24
is Spain’s wealthiest region,
Rioja
Lleida Catalonia
percent of Spain’s entire tax
it is also the most indebted.
Girona
Castilla Y Leon
Pons
base.
Catalans believe that their
Barcelona
The upcoming referendum
Aragon
tax money has been mismanTarragona
on secession is a brilliant
aged by Madrid and that
SPAIN
move for Catalan President
they are entitled to a bailout
Torlosa
Madrid
Artur Mas. Politically, it was
with “no strings attached,”
his only choice, as 84 percent
meaning without austerof Catalans believe there
ity measures to curb further
Castilla
Extremadura
should be a referendum on
overspending.
La Mancha
independence and 55 percent
Catalonia lies in the far
say they would vote for it.
northeastern section of Spain
If it passes, however, Spain
with the Mediterranean Sea
0
200
mi
Murcia
says Catalonia’s separation
on its eastern border. The
Andalucia
0
200 km
would be a violation of the
region, covering an area of
a
country’s constitution. Fur12,399 square miles (32,114
Se
n
thermore, because the region
sq. km), is comprised of four
a
Strait of
ane
depends upon the rest of
r
provinces, Barcelona, Girona,
Gibraltar
r
e
Medit
Spain for trade, many econoLleida and Tarragona.
ALGERIA
mists say an independent
Barcelona, the second largMOROCCO
Catalonia would not be ecoest city in Spain after Madrid,
Geography in the News 11/2/12
M. Shears
nomically viable.
is Catalonia’s capital. Along
Just like other other seceswith its surrounding area,
sionist movements, including the Scotts of the
valued Catalonia and the money it injected
Barcelona is one of Europe’s largest metroUnited Kingdom, the Corsicans of France, the
into the country’s economy, but Catalonia
politan areas (areas with population over 1
Quebecois of Canada or a host of other indigcontinued its push for secession, receiving
million). Barcelona’s metropolitan area has
enous groups of Latin America, the Catalans
and losing its autonomy several times.
almost 5 million people.
continue to seek independence.
The Catalans briefly regained their autonCatalans number about 7.5 million of
And that is Geography in the News™. Noomy from 1932-39. When authoritarian SpanSpain’s 47 million people, or 16 percent. Nonvember 2, 2012. #1170.
ish dictator Francisco Franco came to power,
Spanish immigrants make up 12 percent of
however, he suppressed all public activities
Catalonia’s population.
Co-authors are Neal
associated with Catalan and his regime torCatalonia’s coast has been a center of trade
Lineback,
Appalachian
th
tured and executed Catalonia’s president.
since Greek and Roman times. By the 13 cenState University Professor
With Franco’s death in 1975 and a new
tury, the merchant trading class of cities like
Emeritus of Geography,
Spanish constitution in 1978, Catalonia reBarcelona grew influential, rivaling those of
and Geographer Mandy
ceived a degree of self-government and reVenice or Genoa. Described as Catalonia’s
Lineback
Gritzner.
University News Director
Jane Nicholson serves as
Sources: “Spain: As economy dives, Catalonia wants out,” The Week, October 12, 2012,
technical editor.
pg. 15; http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0857208.html; http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/
features/2012/09/201292913514639254.html; and http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19566838
“Golden Age,” this period saw a burgeoning
of art and literature in the region.
Catalonian traders effectively helped the
House of Aragón, one of the powerful ruling
families of the Middle Ages, increase its control in the Mediterranean. However, Catalans
rebelled against Aragón from 1461-72 and
lost, initiating a period of decline in Catalonia. Pirate attacks and recurring plagues and
famines added to Catalonia’s downfall.
Ever since the Middle Ages, Catalonia
has pushed for autonomy from Spain. When
Catalans attempted to secede from Spain during the rule of King Philip V (1700-1724), they
surrendered in Barcelona on September 11,
1714, and were forced to give up their autonomous privileges.
By the latter half of the 19th century, the
Catalans revived their region, creating one
of Spain’s major industrialized centers. Spain
CATALONIA PUSHES
TO LEAVE SPAIN
ia
nc
Va
le
POR
TUG
AL
Catalonia