discover catalonia

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LET’S DISCOVER CATALONIA BY THE 5TH GROUP OF LES ESCOLES DE GURB 2006 Index 2. HERITAGE AND HISTORY 1. WHERE IS CATALONIA? 3. OUR COUNTRY 4. FOLKLORE AND TRADITION 5. CATALAN FOOD AND DRINK. 6. PRODUCTION

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Page 1: Discover catalonia

LET’S DISCOVER CATALONIABY THE 5TH GROUP

OF LES ESCOLES DE GURB 2006

Index

2. HERITAGE AND HISTORY

1. WHERE IS CATALONIA?

3. OUR COUNTRY

4. FOLKLORE AND TRADITION

5. CATALAN FOOD AND DRINK.

6. PRODUCTION

Page 2: Discover catalonia

LET’S DISCOVER CATALONIABY THE 5TH GROUP

OF LES ESCOLES DE GURB 2006

Page 3: Discover catalonia

1. WHERE IS CATALONIA?

Catalonia is situated in the North East of the Iberian Peninsula, It has more than six million inhabitants and has a surface area of 31,980km2, which makes it comparable in size to Switzerland.

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LES ESCOLES AND GURB

Les Escoles is the name of our school. Nowadays the school has 212 pupils. It is situated in

the centre of Catalonia in a village called Gurb, next to the city of Vic.

Gurb is in a rural area with large fields and some woodland.

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2. HERITAGE AND HISTORY

Catalonia has a history that goes back over an entire millennium. It has seen the arrival of various races, such as the Iberians, the Celts, the Greeks, who founded the colonies of Rhode(Roses) and Emporion (Empúries)and the Romans, who established one of their provincial capitals in Tarragona. The Visigoths and Arabs have also had and important influence in Catalonia’s past.

Remains of Emporion

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In the 12th Century, the principality of Barcelona was united with its neighbour Aragon by the marriage of Ramon Berenguer IV and Petronila of Aragon creating the Kingdom of Catalonia and Aragon, which was a powerful maritime trading empire. The political and legal status of the Catalan-Aragonese Crown was maintained until 1714,the year in which king Philip V took the throne in Spain. Since that time the Catalonian people have struggled peacefully to recover their rights and freedoms.

2. HERITAGE AND HISTORY

Tarragona has Roman ruins. If one moves along the Mediterranean coast, the amphitheatre can be seen which was designated as a World Heritage site.

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2. HERITAGE AND HISTORY

The native language of Catalonia is Catalan. The origins of Catalan date back to the Middle Ages and, although it has suffered phases of prohibition and repression throughout history, it is now used by the majority of Catalans. With the restoration of democracy in 1979, Catalan and Spanish were recognised as the official languages of the territory.

The oldest text in Catalan is the "Homilies d'Organyà", written at

least  800 years ago.Since then, much has been written in Catalan so that now we have a rich literary tradition. Here is an

example: Tirant Lo Blanc

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2. HERITAGE AND HISTORY

One of the most significant episodes in Catalan history was the restoration of self-government in 1979, when the Spanish Parliament passed the current Statute of Autonomy, which was later passed by decree of the Catalan people.

The Catalan Parliment.Today Catalonia is an autonomous community within Spain. The Generalitat of Catalonia is the institution which governs the country. The Statute of Autonomy is part of the Spanish Constitution.

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3. OUR COUNTRY

Catalonia has got approximately 580 kilometres of coast line. It has many contrasts.

On the Northern Coast we can find

the Costa Brava with many steep cliffs

and rocky beaches.

Costa Brava

3.1. The catalan coast

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3. OUR COUNTRY

Sa Tuna. Costa Brava

L’Estartit. Costa Brava

Costa del Maresme

On the other hand, in the Maresme coast, the beaches are long with fine sand.

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The Southern coast has become very built-up. The Costa del Garraf is rocky but from there to the Delta de l’Ebre the beaches are large and sandy. The Ebre Delta, is a natural park and constitutes one of the most important aquatic habitats in the Western Mediterranean.

Sitges. Barcelona Vilafortuny

Costa DauradaEl Delta de l’Ebre

3. OUR COUNTRY

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3. OUR COUNTRY

Girona is the main city of the Costa Brava. There is a community of artists and writers within the medieval town. In Figueres we find the Dali museum. Dalí is one of the most important artists in Catalonia and is well known abroad for his unusual character and surrealist works. Dalí Museum.

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The Coastal area has a typically Mediterranean climate. Summers are not very hot and winters are warm. Rainfall is not abundant. The countryside changes little throughout the seasons. There are large white pine and stone pine forests, combined with hazel woods. However during the last few years many hazel woods have been substituted by pine.

At school we have some examples of Mediterranean trees, which have been planted and cared for by the children.

3. OUR COUNTRY

Page 14: Discover catalonia

This region includes plains and rolling hills and valleys. It has market towns and cities such as Vic, Manresa, Granollers... and attractive mountain areas such el Montseny.

The climate is Mediterranean. Summers are very hot and winters are very cold. Rain in this area is rare.

3. OUR COUNTRY

3.2. Catalonia’s inland areas

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3. OUR COUNTRY

Alongside of the rivers Ter and Llobregat there are industrial areas.

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3. OUR COUNTRY

In the centre is the Montserrat Mountain National Park with its

fascinating geological formations and its erratic and originally

shaped rocks. It has a famous monastery which is a Catalan

symbol.

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The Terres de Lleida covers Catalonia’s western region, the capital of which is Lleida. This is an important trading city with many monuments and fine culture.

The area is full of character, ranging from the olive fields of the Garrigues, the mountainous regions of Noguera (Montsec), and the plains of the Urgell canal. It includes rich towns like Cervera, Balaguer and Tàrrega, and the Vallbona de les Monges and Bellpuig de les Avellanes monasteries.

It is also an important fruit-growing and horticultural area. It produces local wines from costers del Segre and is famous for its cuisine. The weather is extremely dry in summer.

3. OUR COUNTRY

3.3. The Terres de Lleida

Montsec

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The Pyrennean region covers a major part of northern Catalonia consisting of the impressive Pyrennes mountain range and also the Pre-Pyrennes. The area has an important Romanesque heritage (Val de Boí, a UNESCO world Heritage Listing, la Seu d’urgell, Ripoll, Besalú, etc.) And includes a national park (Aigüestortes and the Sant Maurici Lake), nature reserves such the Volcanic area of Garrotxa and colourful towns (Puigcerdà, Olot etc.)

The summers are quite cool and the winters are very cold. Rainfall is abundant and it snows quite often in winter.

3. OUR COUNTRY

3.4. The Pyrennes

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3. OUR COUNTRY

The Pyrennes

Aigüestortes Park and Sant Maurice Lake

Page 20: Discover catalonia

3. OUR COUNTRY

3.4. The Pyrennes

Vall de Boí

Page 21: Discover catalonia

3. OUR COUNTRY

La

Seu d’Urgell

Ripoll

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3. OUR COUNTRY

The climate is Atlantic. Rainfall is very abundant, temperatures are cold and it has some winds from the Atlantic Ocean. We can find pine and fir forests, Beech trees, Chestnuts trees, Elms and Ash trees.

The Vall d’Aran area lies on the western edges of the Catalan Pyrenees, in the north-west of the country. It is located on the northern slopes of the Pyrenees. Its river is called the Garone and it is surrounded by very high peaks.

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Skiing, adventure sports, hiking excursions, mountaineering and climbing are some of the activities one can do in the area.

3. OUR COUNTRY

Pic de la Gelada

Pic de Montaubona

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Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is one of the most important cities in the western Mediterranean. Established in Roman times, the city has grown to be a leading centre of culture in Europe with a strong economic base. Nowadays it has a population of 1,510,000 but this number increases dramatically if you count its surroundings. Barcelona has lovely warm weather, with pleasant temperatures all year around.

3. OUR COUNTRY

3.5. Barcelona, capital of Catalonia

Palau St. JordiCalatrava’s Bridge

Passeig de Gràcia.As seen from the roof ofLa PedreraGeneralitat de Catalunya

Parc Güell

The Beach

Port Olímpic

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Barcelona is the undisputed capital of Modernism. The Eixample district has many fine examples of this style.

3. OUR COUNTRY

Palau de la Música

Typical corner in the Eixample

Centre of an Eixample Block.Terraces and trees, all arround

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World famous building desiged by Gaudi are found through the city. Outstanding examples are Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, Puig I Cadafalch Casa Amatller and Domènech I Montaner.

3. OUR COUNTRY

Casa Amatller

Lleó Morera houseLa Pedrera Casa Batlló

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3. OUR COUNTRY

The Sagrada Família is know as the symbol of Barcelona throughout the world. It is in the proces of construction. It is Gaudí masterpiece.

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La Rambla is a tree-lined route which runs down from Plaça Catalunya to the Columbus monument. Along this urban promenade is the Liceu, one of the most prestigious opera houses in Europe.

3. OUR COUNTRY

Page 29: Discover catalonia

4. FOLKLORE AND TRADITION

The giants are figures that are more than three metres high carried by people using a wooden structure. The capgrossos; are big heads made of cardboard paste. They warm up the main festivities with their dances and take part in processions.

4.1. The traditional giants

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The devils or demons dance and run around streets and hold crowns with fireworks on the top. From time to time they explode and people run so as not to get burnt. This kind of “game” is celebrated in different towns, usually during the main festivals, or on special days. Children, teenagers, men and, women join the crowds. It ‘s a fun and enjoyable experience. Children love it, but it is also a bit dangerous.

Participants disguised as demons.

4. FOLKLORE AND TRADITION

4.2. Fire Festivals: the correfoc

Page 31: Discover catalonia

At the midsummer in the “revetlla de Sant Joan” large bonfires are built.

4. FOLKLORE AND TRADITION

4.2. Fire Festivals: the Revetlla de Sant Joan

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The human towers are formed in street festivals and consist of pyramids formed of people. The one who is on the top is the smallest one. People climb up on to other people, as if they were stairs. There are many people on the ground, to care for people who might fall down and to make the base of the tower stronger.

The “castellers” are very popular in a large number of towns and are named from their town of origin.

4.3. Human towers “the castellers”

4. FOLKLORE AND TRADITION

Page 33: Discover catalonia

The sardana is the most popular dance in Catalonia. The dancers form a circle holding hands. They follow different types of steps according to the music. The music is provided by a small group of musicians playing mainly brass instruments. The Sardana is performed everywhere in Catalonia mostly during the main festivities.

4.4. The Sardana

4. FOLKLORE AND TRADITION

Page 34: Discover catalonia

This is the major festival in Spring and takes place on the 23rd of April. Saint George is the patron saint of Catalonia. The day is dedicated to the book and the rose ,gifts which are exchanged by friends and lovers.

4. FOLKLORE AND TRADITION

4.5. Saint George

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4. FOLKLORE AND TRADITION

4.6. Diada de Catalunya This is on September 11th each year. This fantastic festival is a national holiday throughout Catalonia and the

Balearic Islands, reflecting the local importance of The Diada and the affirmation of Catalonian nationality it signifies. September 11th is the anniversary of the day in 1714 when the Franco-Spanish army captured Barcelona, ending the region's autonomous status. The annual commemoration of one of the most bloody and controversial episodes of Catalonia's history is a genuinely patriotic expression of emotion by the Catalonian people, and visitors to the region.

La Diada de Catalunya is enjoyed in a unique Catalan style offering everyone a fantastic day of parties, including fireworks and is marked by huge parades in cities, towns and villages across Catalonia. The streets and balconies of the towns are customarily decorated with a sea of Catalan flags and lined with people anticipating the amazing processions. The Catalonian themed parade is accompanied by traditional music and sardana dancing that continues throughout the day.

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5. CATALAN FOOD AND DRINK.

In Catalonia in Autumn there is a typical celebration, the “CASTANYADA”. In the Castanyada, people eat Chestnuts, sweet potatoes and “ Panellets”.

“ Panellets “ are little cakes made of sugar, marzipan, pine nuts almonds and other good things.

5.1. Panellets

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Two typical alcoholic drinks are: Wine and Cava. People drink wine and Cava at celebrations. Cava

is a sparkling wine like Champagne but made in Catalonia.

5. CATALAN FOOD AND DRINK

Cava and wine cellars

5.2. Wine and cava

Page 38: Discover catalonia

In Catalonia pork is eaten by most families. “Embotits”(Catalan sausages) especially those from Vic are famous. There are different varieties of sausages, such as black and white “botifarra”; “llonganisa” traditional sausages flavoured with herbs and spices and “pernil” which is air-cured ham from a leg of pork.

5. CATALAN FOOD AND DRINK.

5.3. Embotits

Page 39: Discover catalonia

Bread with tomato: “Pa amb tomaquet” Tomato is rubbed on a slide of bread which is then season

with olive oil, salt and sometimes garlic. Bread prepared in this way combines well a with cooked sausage and cold meat of all kinds, cheese, anchovies, etc... This is a tasty, simple food for to get-toghether with friends or family.

5. CATALAN FOOD AND DRINK.

5.4. Bread with tomato

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6. PRODUCED BY THE ETH GROUP.

Marc Almató Núria Aumatell Míriam Bellver August Josep Boza Abel Ferrer Ramon Freixa Laia Giménez Cristina Godayol Mireia Jutglar

Laura Martínez Judit Oms Queralt Pratsobreroca Meritxell Pujolasos Berta Sahuquillo Gerard Soler Tània Teixidor Pol Tortosa

And by the teachers:

Elisa Minchillo Maria Dolors Vila