Barcelona

Barcelona (Catalan IPA: [bəɾsəˈlonə], Spanish IPA: [baɾθeˈlona]) is the capital of Catalonia, Spain and is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, the national capital. It is located on the Mediterranean coast (41°23′N 2°11′E) between the mouths of the rivers Llobregat and Besòs, limited to the west by the Serra de Collserola ridge (512 m).

It is a major economic centre, with one of Spain's principal Mediterranean ports and its second largest airport, and also a cultural and tourist attraction. The architectural works of Antoni Gaudí and Lluís Domènech i Montaner are particularly renowned, and have been inscribed on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

As the capital of Catalonia, Barcelona houses the seat of the Catalan autonomous government, known as the Generalitat de Catalunya, notably its executive branch, the Parliament and the Supreme Court of Catalonia. It is also the capital of the province of Barcelona and of the comarca of the Barcelonès.