Barcelona is the capital of the Spanish state of Catalonia and the second-largest city in Spain at 1.6 million, with 4.5 million in the metropolitan area. It is situated on Spain’s north Mediterranean coast between the Besos and Llobregat rivers and is bounded on its western side by mountainous terrain. Barcelona was founded by the Romans, was long the capital of an independent state, united with Aragon and Castile to form modern Spain in the late Middle Ages, and is today seeking a referendum on independence.
Barcelona is the economic center of one of the richest regions in all of Europe. Its GDP in 2012 was $170 billion, the fourth-highest in the European Union, and its per capita GDP ($35,000) is over 40 percent higher than the EU average. Barcelona was one of the first cities on the European mainland to industrialize and has long been known for its textile and mercantile activities. Some of its other main industries are: heavy machinery, chemicals, metallurgy, and energy production. Tourism is also a major source of income since Barcelona is the third most visited city in all of Europe.
The Port of Barcelona is one of the busiest of Europe’s seaports both for passenger and cargo transport. It is the ninth biggest of Europe’s container ports, and in 2013, processed 1.7 million tons. A port enlargement project involving the diversion of the Llobregat river is presently in process. Barcelona–El Prat Airport serves 35 million travelers annually and is the second busiest airport in Spain. The airport is joined to the city via road and rail, and a new terminal was added in 2009.
Barcelona has an extensive intra-city highway system, and is well-connected to the rest of the Iberian Peninsula, France, and ultimately all of Europe. It is situated on three major routes: E15 which travels long distances along the Mediterranean coast, E90 which joins it to Madrid and then Lisbon, and E09 which runs all the way up to Paris. Barcelona is also a rail hub. It has nine main lines that integrate it with all Catalonia, with the state of Aragon just to the west, and to Valencia just south. High speed lines also connect it with Madrid, France, and all Europe.
If you are in need of shipping freight in or out of Barcelona, contact us today to discuss how to optimize the logistics involved. We have agents in Barcelona and Spain who are familiar with the local situation and will be able to assist you in lowering costs while maintaining security and punctuality.
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