Barcelona  is the capital city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, and is the largest city in the Iberian peninsula. The population of the city,  within its administrative limits, comprises 1.6 million people. Although, its urban area extends beyond the aforementioned administrative city limits; it contains a population of around 4.5 million people, this makes this city the sixth-most populous urban area in the European Union, followed by Paris, London, the Ruhr area, Madrid and Milan. It is also worth bearing in mind that about five million  people live in the Barcelona metropolitan area, so it can be seen as the largest metropolis on the Mediterranean basin. The city is located on the coast between the mouths of the rivers Llobregat and Besos, and bounded to the west by the Serra de Collserola mountain range, whose highest peak is 512 meters (1,680 ft) high.

 

Barcelona was founded by the Romans, and in the Middle Ages the city became the capital of the County of Barcelona. After merging with the Kingdom of Aragon, Barcelona continued to be an important city in the Crown of Aragon. The city was besieged several times during its history by the French, Italians, and the troops of the Bourbons (this siege was the worst of all). Barcelona has a rich cultural heritage and is today an important cultural centre and a major tourist destination. Particularly renowned are the architectural works of Antoni Gaudí and Lluis Domènec i Montaner; these works have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The headquarters of the Union for the Mediterranean is located in Barcelona. The city is known for hosting the 1992 Summer Olympics as well as world-class conferences and expositions and also many international sport tournaments.

 

Barcelona is one of the world's leading tourist, economic, trade fair/exhibitions and cultural-sports centers, and its influence in commerce, education, entertainment, media, fashion, science, and the arts does contribute to increase its status as one of the world's major global cities. It is a major cultural and economic centre in southwestern Europe, 24th in the world (before Zürich, and after Frankfurt), as well as a financial center. In 2008, it was rated as the fourth most economically powerful city by GDP in the European Union, and is 35th in the world as to GDP, with figures that amount up to €177 billion. In 2012, Barcelona had a GDP of $170 billion.

 

In 2009, the city was ranked Europe's third most visited city by international tourists, as well as one of the world's most successful as a city brand. Also, and in the same year, the city was ranked Europe's fourth best city for business and the fastest European city in progression and improvement, with growth figures increasing by 17% per year, but despite the recession that has affected western countries, some recent signs of  economic recovery are beginning to be detected. Barcelona is, thanks to its Port of Barcelona, a transport hub and has become one of Europe's busiest commercial and passenger seaports, with an international airport, Barcelona–El Prat Airport  which handles above 35 million passengers per year, as well as  extensive motorway network and a high-speed rail line that connects Barcelona with France and the rest of Europe.