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  • In September 2015, Spain’s Catalonia saw pro-independence parties secure a majority

  • in the regional elections. This is big news for Catalonia, which has demanded its full

  • independence from Spain for decades. As an already distinct and self reliant region,

  • we wanted to know, just how powerful is Catalonia?

  • Well, Catalonia is an autonomous community within Spain. Although they are still technically

  • under Spanish rule, they have their own government which includes a President and Parliament.

  • More importantly, they have their own culturally distinct identity, and even their own language:

  • Catalan.

  • Catalonia makes up about 12 and a half thousand square miles, comprising roughly 6 percent

  • of Spain. Their population is about 7.5 million, with one in six Spanish residents living in

  • Catalonia. The capital, Barcelona, is the second most populous city, after Spain’s

  • capital, Madrid. This relatively small subsection of the country is actually one of its most

  • industrialized. In 2012, the autonomous region brought in 255 billion dollars, nearly 20%

  • of Spain’s total GDP. This would rank them roughly 42nd worldwide, right between Chile

  • and Pakistan.

  • The reason for such a strong financial presence is that Barcelona is a massive economic hub

  • for the European Union. Their industrial sector is primarily based on food and beverages,

  • chemical production, biopharmaceuticals, and medical technology. The capital is also an

  • important tourist destination, with one in four tourists in Spain visiting Catalonia.

  • Beach resorts, fine dining, and famous art by Salvador Dali and architect Antoni Gaudi

  • contribute greatly to Catalonia’s popularity.

  • But although Catalonia is an economically and culturally significant force seeking independence,

  • they do lack one of the most important aspects of being a sovereign nation: a military. Because

  • Catalonia is still beholden to Spain, any Catalan soldiers are inherently loyal to Spanish

  • interests. Although Spain’s military only ranks about 48th worldwide, they have more

  • than enough stopping power to invade and dominate Catalonia. Some have said that if Catalonia

  • were to secede, Spain could easily consider it illegal and send troops into the region

  • to defendterritorial integrity.”

  • Like many other subjugated peoples living in what they consider to be foreign territory,

  • Catalonia is in a tough position. While they may have a strong enough culture and economy

  • to survive on their own, Spain has a dedicated interest and ability to prevent them from

  • seeking independence. Since a fifth of Spain’s economy is localized in Catalonia, there is

  • little surprise that this is one golden goose theyre unwilling to let go. Still, with

  • such a pro-independent government and its people, it seems to be only a matter of time

  • until those tensions are resolved peacefully. Or, like many other nations, Catalonia may

  • be facing a violent revolution for sovereignty.

  • Interested in learning more about why Catalonia has been seeking independence from Spain?

  • Check out Seeker Daily’s video. Thanks for watching TestTube! Don’t forget to like

  • and subscribe down below. Well see you next time!

In September 2015, Spain’s Catalonia saw pro-independence parties secure a majority

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加泰羅尼亞有多強大? (How Powerful Is Catalonia?)

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    羅紹桀 發佈於 2021 年 01 月 14 日
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