Spain’s Finest:Nothing But The Best

España(Spain)-Barcelona

History of Barcelona

• Religion-prominently Roman Catholic• Language- Spanish• Founded- First Century B.C.• Founder- Phoenicians and Carthaginians

Geography• Latitude- 41.40 degrees North

• Longitude- 2.17 degrees East

• North-Eastern Corner of Spain

• Average Temp.- 63.9 degrees Fareignheit

Geography cont.

• Common Animals- Blackbirds, Robins, Great Tits, Yellow Wagtails, Cetti’s Warblers, Deer, Ibex, Tortoises, Bats, Snakes

• Common Plantlife- Pine Tree, Cork-Oak Tree, Beech Tree, Orchids, Gentians, Lavender, Rosemary

MUST KNOW!

• Currency- Euro• Main language- Spanish• Customs– Ask for I.D. when paying with credit card– Neighborhood pharmacies close 2-4 or 1-5 p.m.– Women often go topless on the beach (so don’t

stare, it’s common)

MUST KNOW! Cont.

• Customs cont.– Legend says that if you drink water from the Las

Ramblas fountains, you’ll return to Barcelona someday

– Catalans dance the “La Sardana” in front of the Barcelona Cathedral every Sunday at noon

– Transportation: Metro system, Taxis, Walking, Buses, Rentable cars

– Food: Supermarkets, local markets, restaurants

Special Dates

• Jan.1- New Year’s Day• Jan.6- Epiphany• Apr.6- Good Friday• Apr.9- Easter Monday• May 1- Labour Day• May 28- Whitsun or Pentecost• June 23, June 24- St. John’s Day Festival

Special Dates cont.

• Aug.15- Assumption Day• Sept.24- La Mercè Festival• Oct.1- Columbus Day• Nov.1-All Saints’ Day• Dec.6- Constitution Day• Dec.8- Day of the Immaculate Conception• Dec.25- Christmas• Dec.26- Boxing Day/St. Stephens Day

Political Information

• Government- Constitutional Monarchy (constitution of 1978)

• Voting Rights– Must be registered in population census– Must sign voting form– Voting takes place every four years

• Education-Nursery, Primary, Compulsory secondary, University

Trip Packages and Cost

• TOTAL COST FOR AIRFARE,CAR RENTAL, HOTEL AND FOOD:

$$ 2,730.93 $$

Fun Activities

• Barcelona Hop-On/Hop-Off Tour: $31.97 USD• Skip the Line: Best of Barcelona Tour: $94.72 USD• Montserrat/Cava Trail Day Trip: $105.25 USD• Salvador Dali Museum: $118.57 USD• Barcelona in One Day Sightseeing Tour: $107.91 USD• Flamenco Night at Tablao Cordobes: $51.96 USD• Hot Air Balloon Flight over Catalonia: $226.49 USD

Places to Visit

• Camp Nou Barcelona• Magic Fountain (Font Magica)• Palau Güell Barcelona• Plaza Catalunya• Barcelona Aquarium• Teatre Liceu• Beaches- Barceloneta, Icaria, Mar Bella, Sitges

Unique Facts

• Second largest city in Spain• Drivers in Barcelona are considered the worst

in the world with an average of one accident every 19 seconds!

• In 1992, there was no beaches in Barcelona!• Barcelona has the most walked street in Spain:

Portal de I’Àngel

Bibliography• “Barcelona Map” http://www.infospa.org/map~230.htm March 26, 2012• “Barcelona” http://www.barcelonahotelsoption.com March 26, 2012• “Barcelona Cathedral” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcelona_Cathedral March 26, 2012• “Calle de Asahonadors” http://blogs.ihes.com/spanish/?cat=51 March 26, 2012• “Spain” http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2878.htm March 26, 2012• “Barcelona-Spain” http://goeurope.about.com/cs/liechtenstein/p/barcelona.htm March 27,

2012• “Typical Climate and Weather in Barcelona” http://

www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/weather/barcelona-weather.html March 27, 2012• “Barcelona Weather” http://

www.worldexecutive.com/locations/europe/spain/barcelona/weather.html March 27, 2012• “Living in Spain- Educational System” http://

barcelona.angloinfo.com/countries/spain/life6.asp April 3, 2012• “All 69 Things to do in Barcelona” http://

www.viator.com/Barcelona-tours/d562-ttd?pref=02&aid=g1787 April 4, 2012