catalonia

THE glorious, if gory, sight of a Spanish fighting bull charging at a cape-waving man in a sequinned suit may soon disappear from Catalonia.

The leader of the Popular Party of Catalonia, Alicia Sanchez-Camacho, said the video was an "attack on the dignity of women. "

Ironically, Barcelona's peaceful campaign for an independent Catalonia has never been stronger -- and it's a nightmare for Madrid.

And yet it clearly already shows the Basque Country (in the north) and Catalonia (in the northeast) as two separate entities.

In the video the young woman gets increasingly excited as she votes for the Socialist Party in this month's regional elections in Catalonia.

With at least one eye on this autumn's regional elections, Catalonia's politicians voted to ban bullfighting from 2012.

Controlling regional spending, in Catalonia or elsewhere, will be a huge task for the next government.

He would have little trouble finding parliamentary support from business-friendly nationalist parties in Catalonia and the Basque country.

In Catalonia it is the throbbing cultural and social life of Barcelona that draws the crowds, not the historical agonies.

But the Socialist Party of Catalonia's leader, Jose Montilla, defended the ad, saying "If it encourages people to vote, it's a good thing. "

Economists warned that the call for a Catalonia election added yet another element of uncertainty for Spain.

Born in rural Catalonia, he moved with his family to a working class suburb of Barcelona when he was a child.

Orwell had fought in the Spanish civil war; his disillusion with that cause is chronicled in "Homage to Catalonia" .

Health workers in Catalonia, where the PP props up a nationalist government, are also in revolt.

The beaches and cultural attractions of the capital of Spain's northeastern Catalonia region draw millions of foreign visitors each year.

Catalonia already has its own language, police, government, parliament, and health care system.

Catalonia held its first regional election since being granted more autonomy by the Spanish government under a new statute.

The regions offer to help: Catalonia plans to cut pay, and Madrid has set aside a contingency fund in case income runs short in 2012.

Catalonia Suite Hotel is located in upper Barcelona, in the residential quarter of Sant Gervasi, very close to important medical centres.

Located along Spain's northeastern coastline, Catalonia consists of four provinces, including the regional capital city of Barcelona.

Ricky Gervais has added his voice to the anti-bullfighting campaign as the world waits for Catalonia's vote on a bullfighting ban.

Hleb moved from the Emirates to Catalonia in 2008, but has spent much of his time at Camp Nou on loan in Germany.

The constitution ambiguously labels regions like Catalonia as "nationalities" , but it still recognises only one nation, Spain.

But Catalonia generally kept its hands off and allowed the professionals to run the operation.

After Franco's death, Spain's provinces regained a degree of self-rule and few today will suggest that Catalonia will move toward secession.

After months of low rainfall, the parched region of Catalonia has had to appeal to the central government in Madrid for help.

Catalonia is a region of seven million people sandwiched both culturally and geographically between France and Spain.

Gaudi is an architect who be loved and pride by people of Catalonia and Barcelona whenever living or death.

The financial crisis, however, has revealed that Catalonia, like many other regions, has badly managed its public accounts.

A potential trouble-spot is Catalonia, which accounts for a fifth of Spain's economy.

Transfers to Madrid from Catalonia, one of Spain's richest regions, amount to 8-9% of the Catalan economy.

Perhaps Basque nationalists will be inspired by Catalonia's mass peaceful protests and thereby regain momentum.

One hundred bulls are slaughtered in the ring in Catalonia each year, dying a slow, painful and terrifying death.

Among other things the proposals give Catalonia's parliament more control over taxation and the judiciary.

In 1640, under Philip IV, the centralist policy of the Count-Duke of Olivares provoked wars in Portugal and Catalonia.

Another big rally is planned in Barcelona on Tuesday, this one under the separatist slogan of "Catalonia, new European state. "

The CiU may well demand still more autonomy for Catalonia, but it is broadly liberal on economic policy.

In Spain, where nationalists from Catalonia or the Basque Country often hold the balance of power, that makes a difference.

Barcelona staged its final bullfight in September 2011 after Catalonia became the first region in Spain to ban the traditional spectacle.

Some regions, including Catalonia, will raise income tax.

This week, Catalonia's parliament voted to uphold a ban against the sport set to take effect in 2012.

The Camp Nou is a football stadium in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

Only the regional parliament of Catalonia can do that.

And victories, such as Wednesday's, are another notch in Catalonia's struggle to differentiate itself from the rest of Spain.

Somewhere in Catalonia, a Dutchman is smiling.

This summer, Catalonia's employment agency offered jobs picking fruit to 7, 800 unemployed people. Less than 1, 700 accepted.

The Catalonia Mahzor for the High Holidays (Spain, c. 1280).

Strikingly often, they come from regions with strongly independent identities, such as Catalonia or Wales.

I love Barcelona, I love Catalonia.

What kind of suggestions will you give to the current Catalonia? Why?

How is it that you have made Catalonia into the greatest hotbed in football?