- published: 20 Mar 2015
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Barcelona (English /bɑrsɨˈloʊnə/, Catalan: [bərsəˈɫonə], Spanish: [barθeˈlona]) is the capital of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain, after Madrid, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of 101.4 km2 (39 sq mi). The urban area of Barcelona extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of between 4,200,000 and 4,500,000 within an area of 803 km2 (310 sq mi), being the sixth-most populous urban area in the European Union after Paris, London, the Ruhr, Madrid and Milan. About five million people live in the Barcelona metropolitan area. It is also Europe's largest metropolis on the Mediterranean Sea. It is the main component of an administrative area of Greater Barcelona, with a population of 3,218,071 in an area of 636 km² (density 5,060 hab/km²). It is located on the Mediterranean coast between the mouths of the rivers Llobregat and Besòs and is bounded to the west by the Serra de Collserola ridge (512 m/1,680 ft).
Founded as a Roman city, Barcelona became the capital of the County of Barcelona. After merging with the Kingdom of Aragon, Barcelona became one of the most important cities of the Crown of Aragon. Besieged several times during its history, Barcelona has a rich cultural heritage and is today an important cultural centre and a major tourist destination. Particularly renowned are the architectural works of Antoni Gaudí and Lluís Domènech i Montaner, which have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The headquarters of the Union for the Mediterranean is located in Barcelona. The city is known for hosting the 1992 Summer Olympics as well as world-class conferences and expositions, including the 1888 Exposición Universal de Barcelona, the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition (Expo 1929), the 2004 Universal Forum of Cultures, and the 2004 World Urban Forum.
Coordinates: 41°20′15″N 2°9′8″E / 41.3375°N 2.15222°E / 41.3375; 2.15222 (Barcelona Free Port, Zona Franca, Barcelona)
The Port of Barcelona (Catalan: Port de Barcelona, IPA: [ˈpɔr ðə βərsəˈɫonə]; Spanish: Puerto de Barcelona) has a 2000-year history and great contemporary commercial importance. It is Catalonia's largest port, vying with Tarragona, and Europe's ninth largest container port, with a trade volume of 2.57 million TEU's in 2008. It is also one of the most important ports in the Mediterranean. The port is managed by the Port Authority of Barcelona. Its 7.86 km2 (3 sq mi) are divided into three zones: Port Vell (the Old Port), the commercial/industrial port and the logistics port (Barcelona Free Port). The port is undergoing an enlargement that will double its size by diverting the mouth of the Llobregat river 2 km (1¼ mi) to the south, and slightly pushing back the Llobregat Delta Nature Reserve.
This is not the only port in Barcelona, as there are also two additional yacht harbors / marinas: Port Olímpic and Port Fòrum Sant Adrià to the north.
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