Catalonia

Heraldic

Moreneta, the black Virgin of Montserrat, and other facts are attached to the character of Guifred Hairy the, which would have been born in 852 with Rià in Conflent, considered as the founder of Catalonia.

History

See also: History of Catalonia

Carolingian county since the conquest of Charlemagne (801), Catalonia is born at the 9th century. Its language, the Catalan , very near with the the Middle Ages to that of the South of the current France (Language of Oc), develops starting from IXe century.

The founder of Catalonia east Guifred Hairy the, originating in the Roussillon ( Rosselló ) named Count de Barcelone in 878 with the Council of Troyes. It establishes the province by dominating the Sarrasins and by establishing Catholicism to with it. It is given up by the Germanic emperors, then the Kings of France (see Siège of Barcelona, in 985).

In 1137, the Count of Catalogne marries the heiress of the Royaume of Aragon and takes thereafter the title of King d' Aragon. At this time is born the catalano-Aragonese confederation which will develop an original mode of administration, very decentralized to answer the strong differences as well political as economic or linguistics from the two parts of the kingdom.

Catalonia will reach its apogee through the catalano-Aragonese confederation. That Ci will extend its influence on the south of the Spain, Valencian Pays ( País Valencià ) and in the Mediterranean. Kings d' Aragon will take possession of the Sicily, the Royaume of Naples and temporarily of the Sardinia and the Corsica of which they are at the origin of the flag with head of Moor. The Catalan almogavares, mercenaries, will create a transitory kingdom in Greece. This nowadays explains the use of the Catalan language to the Valencian Country, the Balearic Islands ( Illes Balears ) and in a borough of Sardinia, Alguer.

Catalonia will start its decline with the disappearance of the king Martin I {{er}} Human the, died without heir in 1410. During three centuries the Catalans rebel with many recoveries to defend their rights vis-a-vis an increasingly centralizing capacity and seek to escape the military effort from the Spanish empire.

Four events are detached:

In 1410 a war of succession bursts. The dynasty Castilian of the Trastamare supported by the Pope, the Aragon and the Castille, is essential.

In 1462 a rebellion occurs against Jean II of Trastamare. To this occasion, the Roussillon ( Rosselló ) is been mortaged to King Louis XI which occupies it militarily.

In 1640 the revolt of the Harvesters (Segadors) bursts. The Catalans oppose to the very centralizing Olivares minister who wants to remove their local rights. This revolt is at the origin of the loss of the Roussillon and part of the Cerdagne by the Spain. It is also at the origin of the song of the Harvesters, Catalan national anthem.

The war of succession of Spain is completed the September 11th 1714 by the catch of Barcelona by the Franco-Spanish ones. Catalonia had chosen the camp of the Habsbourg more liberal than the Bourbons. This defeat is at the origin of the festival " nationale" in Catalonia ( Diada Nacional de Catalunya ). Catalonia leaves broken and subjected this test. It is necessary to wait more than one century to see Catalonia reappearing. The rendering of this signed war with Utrecht expected that if England returns Gibraltar to Spain this State will have to also return its independence to Catalonia.

Traditionally dynamic economically, it is industrialized quickly at the 19th century and obtains a statute of autonomy in 1932. Its promoter is Francesc Cambó. This statute will be suspended in 1939, Catalonia having been the last area to resist during the Guerre of Spain.

With the return of the democracy, the Généralité of Catalonia ( Generalitat de Catalunya ) is recreated in 1978. Josep Tarradellas, former President of the General information, occupies the station in interim. With the elections of 1980, Jordi Pujol, nationalist Catalan of center right several times imprisoned under the dictatorship of Free, is elected President of the General information. It will occupy this station during four consecutive mandates.

Policy

Jose Montilla is since 2006 the 128e President of the government of Catalonia, the Généralité of Catalonia , with the head of a tripartite coalition of left " catalanist and progressiste" , after the elections of November 1st, 2006. It replaced Pasqual Maragall I Mira, President of 2003 with 2006. Of 1980 with 2003, the Catalan political life was dominated a long time by Jordi Pujol of Convergence and Union, a coalition of two nationalist parties of center-droite.

Catalonia has its own autonomy in certain fields. It is in load 33 competent. November 3rd, 2005, the Catalan Parliament adopted the bill of reform of the statute of Catalonia, which was then discussed before the Spanish parliamentary assembly with Madrid. After discussions having shown divisions, and a revision with the fall negotiated by the president of the Spanish government and the chief of the first Catalan party, the project was adopted by the assembly and was proposed to the Catalans by referendum. In spite of certain freedom fighters having invited to vote not (because the project did not recognize Catalonia like nation, did not leave him the total control of the taxes, the ports and the airports), almost 75% of the voters accepted it on June 18th, 2006. However rate of participation was slightly lower than 50%.

Others

The largest buildings of Catalonia are:

Torre Collserola (Barcelona): 288 m
very the xemeneies (Badalona): 200 m
Torre Mapfre (Barcelona): 154 m
Hotel Arts (Barcelona): 154 m
Torre Agbar (Barcelona): 142 m
Sagrada Família (Barcelona): 107 m for the two turns ( torres or campanars ) central and 98 m for two outsides. The project envisages the construction of others turns, including one of 170 Mr.

References

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