Barcelona Overview

Barcelona has become something of a Mecca for the world's top architects, an array of modern structures and avant-garde designs have been built here.

Work of Barcelona's most famous son, the modernist architect Antoni Gaudi, has inspired many of architects and artists. Fortunately, the new modern construction has not completely withdrawn the older buildings, harmoniously combining the old and new architectural styles.

Barcelona is the kind of city where a contemporary glass and steel office block can rest happily within striking distance of a gothic cathedral, a city where the old port has been rejuvenated without losing any of its charm.

The advent of the Olympic Games has contributed enourmesly to the transformation of this city, modernising most of its infrastructures and rejuvinating most of the old and unfashionable areas like the ones surrounding the old port.

Barcelona facts and figures

Area : 99 square km - 38 square miles

Population : over 1.5 million (city) - over 4 million (metropolitan area)

Time zone : GMT+1

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

Average January temp : 10°C (50°F)

Average July temp : 25°C (78°F)

Annual rainfall : 590mm (23.2 inches)

Airports : International Airport El Prat - Girona Airport (outside Barcelona)

Country Dialing Code : 34

Area Code : 93