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Location
Catalunya (Catalonia), northeast Spain.

Dialling code
34.

Population
1,673,075 (city); 3,161,081 (metropolitan area).

Time zone
GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz; round two-pin plugs are standard.

Average January temperatures
10°C (50°F).

Average July temperatures
25°C (78°F).

Annual rainfall
590mm (23.2 inches).

Language
Introduction
To all extents and purposes, Barcelona is a bilingual city. Castellano (Castilian Spanish) is the national language of Spain and is spoken throughout the country, but Català (Catalan) is used side by side with Castilian as the official language in Catalunya (Catalonia). Catalan was used in all spheres of life in the region until the decrees of the Nova Planta (1716) made Castilian the official language of Spain and banished Catalan from public life. The language survived in the vernacular, however, and according to official estimates there are currently more than ten million speakers of Catalan in Europe. In Spain, Catalan is spoken in Catalonia, Valencia (to the south), on the Balearic Islands and in some parts of Aragon and Murcia. It is also spoken by the people of Andorra, North Catalonia (in France) and in L’Alguer on the west side of Sardinia.

Phrases

Yes - Sí
No - No
Hello - Hola
Goodbye - Adios
Please - Por favor
Thank you - Gracias
My name is ... - Me llamo ...
How are you? - Qué tal estás?
I’m very well Estoy muy bien
I feel ill Me siento mal
How much does it cost? - Cuantó es?
Do you speak English? - Habla inglés?
I don’t understand - No entiendo
Where is ...? - Dónde está ...?
Entrance - Entrada
Exit - Salida
Danger - Peligro
Open - Abierto
Closed - Cerrado
Toilets - Servicios
Doctor - Médico
Hotel - Hotel
Restaurant - Restaurante
Beer - Cerveza
Wine - Vino
Menu - Carta
Today - Hoy
Tomorrow - Mañana
Monday - Lunes
Tuesday - Martes
Wednesday - Miércoles
Thursday - Jueves
Friday - Viernes
Saturday - Sábado
Sunday - Domingo
One - Un / uno / una
Two - Dos / dues
Three - Tres
Four - Cuatro
Five - Cinco
Six - Seis
Seven - Siete
Eight - Ocho
Nine - Nieve
Ten - Diez
Twenty - Veinte
Thirty - Treinta
Forty - Cuarenta
Fifty - Cincuenta
Sixty - Sesenta
Seventy - Setenta
Eighty - Ochenta
Ninety - Noventa
One Hundred - Cien
One Thousand - Mil

Cost of Living:

1 Euro (€1) = £0.94; US$1.37; C$1.66; A$1.93
Currency conversion rates as of January 2009

Special Events:

Epiphany
5-6 January
Parades in the streets.
Throughout the city

Barcelona Marathon
March
Throughout the city
Website: www.barcelonamarathon.com  

Festes de Sant Medir
3 March
Religious festival with parade and choral singing.
Grácia and various other venues
Website: www.santmedir.org

Trofeo Conde de Godó de Tennis
April
Tennis championship.
Reial Club de Tennis Barcelona

Holy Week festivities
Week running up to Easter
Various venues

Diade de Sant Jordi (St George’s Day)
23 April
St George book and rose festival.
La Rambla and various venues

Formula One Grand Prix
May
Circuit de Catalunya, Montmeló

Corpus Christi
June
Processions and L’Ou com Balla (the dancing egg).
Catedral and various venues

Pasqua Granada
June
Local religious holiday.
Throughout the city

Verbena de Sant Joan (St John’s Day)
24 June
Bonfires and fireworks.
Throughout the city

Festes de Sant Jaume
24 June
Religious festival.
Throughout the city

Festival de Barcelona Grec
Mid June-early August
Festival celebrating both international and national performing arts.
Various venues
Website: www.barcelonafestival.com

Diade Nacional de Catalunya (Catalonia National Day)
11 September
Public holiday.
Throughout the city

Fiesta de La Mercé
24 September
Parades, dancing and sporting events.
Various venues

Festival Internacional de Jazz (International Jazz Festival)
October-November
Various venues
Website: www.barcelonajazzfestival.com

Fiesta de Santa Llúcia
Mid December
Christmas fairs.
Plaça de la Seu, Plaça Sant Jaume and various other venues

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