Located on the coast of the Mediterranean , Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain after Madrid . According to the official website of the Barcelona Metropolitan Area ( BMA ), the metropolitan area of Barcelona is the economic core of the Catalonia region , accounting for over 50 % of Catalonia ’ s GDP and workforce .

With a population of 3.24mn in the metropolitan area and a population distribution of 58 % Catalonian , 22 % from other areas in Spain , and 19.2 % foreign , Barcelona accounts for 10 % of Spain ’ s total GDP , according to the BMA website . According to Barcelona . com , it is also the second most densely populated region in Spain , with 196 people per sq km . The city has enjoyed relative stability with regards to population over the past decade , accounting for 1.6mn inhabitants since the 1990s , housing 1.6mn people at the start of 2015 , according to La Vanguardia . The population is varied , with 170

78 May 2018