Barcelona Economy/Geography

Economy
The city ranks 4th in the EU and 35th globally Emerging Markets in Barcelona are tourism, fashion, power resources, media, and food. GDP $177 Billion
$34,821 per capita (44% higher then EU average) (2009) 4th in EU 35th in the World (2009) Growth of 17% (2009)

Map of Spain

Map of Barcelona

Geography and Climate

Location: Northeast Coast of Iberian Peninsula facing Mediterranean Sea in Catalonia Territory Full of small hills and has limited room for expansion due to Collserola Mountain Range Covers About 39 sq. Miles Almost 16000 inhabitants/Sq Mile January (Avg High 56 F Low 41 F) (Coldest Month) August (Avg High 83 F Low70 F) (Warmest Month) Average Precipitation is 25 Inches/year http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/Barcelona+ Spain+SPXX0015

Social Aspects of Barcelona

Food to eat in Barcelona
http://www.barcelonalife.com/eat/restaurants.php

Zoos, Aquariums, Cinemas, Cosmo Caixa

http://w110.bcn.cat/portal/site/Turisme/menuite m.7e257cdd389697aa58cb0d3020348a0c/?vgnex toid=0000000543997087VgnV6CONT0000000000 0RCRD&lang=en_GB

Social Continued
Art
Museums, Architecture, etc. http://w110.bcn.cat/portal/site/Turisme/menuitem.7e257 cdd389697aa58cb0d3020348a0c/?vgnextoid=0000000708 441959VgnV6CONT00000000000RCRD&lang=en_GB

Nature
Mountains, Parks, Sports http://w110.bcn.cat/portal/site/Turisme/menuitem.7e257 cdd389697aa58cb0d3020348a0c/?vgnextoid=0000000543 997099VgnV6CONT00000000000RCRD&lang=en_GB

Social Continued
Purchased Items Most of the time can not be returned for cash, normally on store credit if even that Sales Winter Sales Start Jan 1St Summer Sales Start July 1st Practical Advice Smaller Stores open 9am-1:30pm, 5pm-8pm Bigger store open 10am-9pm Credit Cards Visa, American Express, MasterCard, DiscoverCard Larger Stores will accept them with ID but most smaller store do not accept them

Transportation
Taxis
11,000 Taxis Green light must be on to get in Prices vary if it is day or night Asking drivers about city is great way to get a natives insight on the city http://www.taxibarcelona.cat/tabid/2032/Default.aspx

Buses
106 Routes Massive Fleet of over 1,000 vehicles http://www.emt.cat/Principales/BusquedaLinea.aspx#

Train (Rodailes)
5 Lines Great for travel around the city and to different cities around Europe http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/cercanias/barcelona/index.html

Sustainable Transportation
On Foot, Tram, Bikes

Tourism
Festivals Barcelona is known for multiple festivals that happen through out the year to attract tourist and to celebrate their unique culture. http://www.barcelona-life.com/barcelona/festivals Beaches Barcelona is known globally for their amazing beaches that have an experience that is unmatched throughout the world. http://gospain.about.com/od/spainbeaches/tp/barcelonabeaches.htm Historical Locations Barcelona has a intriguing history that has interesting stories to be told about how they became the country they are today http://www.barcelona-life.com/guide/tour.php

Nightlife
http://www.barcelona-life.com/barcelona/nightlife Las Ramblas (more tourist friendly) Street Performers Plenty of restaurants, bars, and clubs Great way to start the night Ex. (Boadas cocktail bar, Kiosk La Cazalla, Boulevard Club Gothic Greats (more local) Tons of great pubs and bars Harder to find because they are not located on a main strip Ex. Flahertys, Plaza Real, Sidecar

Nightlife 2
El Born
Slightly more sophisticated and less tourist Full of cafs and bars Must wear nicer attire

Tours And Crawls

In addition to all the different nightlife districts there are also groups that will show you around. For about 35 Euros you get tranportaion a guide and a group to travel with on Friday and Saturday nights as you experience what Barcelona has to offer after dark

Safety Tips
Common Scams to avoid
Dont ask for directions because people will know you are a tourist and then you become a target for theft Police imposters ask for ID and then take you wallet once you pull it out If you use ATM let ATM do the exchange rate. They will usually over charge for exchange fee.

Use a money belt

Barcelona in the pick pocketing capital of Europe Pay really close attention in tourist

http://wikitravel.org/en/Barcelona#Stay_safe