Barcelona, its capital, is historically one of the great cities of the Mediterranean. A cosmopolitan city, with a flourishing commercial and cultural life, it is an important focus of attraction for tourism

The Spanish State administers Catalonia through four provinces (Barcelona, Tarragona, Lleida and Girona). The Catalan government administers Catalonia according to 41 comarques (counties), very diverse in terms of character and demographic density. These territorial units, each governed by a consell comarcal (county council), were created according to geographical and historical criteria and are generally based around a major town.

Barcelona together with its metropolitan area is home to over half the population of Catalonia. The coastal areas are also densely populated. There are a number of other important cities and towns, each with a historical tradition and heritage all its own, which have seen significant economic and demographic growth in recent decades. These include Girona, Tarragona, Lleida, Tortosa, Vic, Manresa, Reus, Figueres, Sabadell, Terrassa and Igualada. The founding of new universities outside of the Barcelona area has contributed significantly to the development and the reputation of some of these cities.

Other areas of Catalonia, particularly rural areas in the interior and in the mountains, have experienced a gradual population decline, with the demographic balance swinging in favour of the cities. This decline has to some extent been arrested in recent times, however, thanks to the new communications networks and the increasing popularity of nature tourism and of mountain and adventure sports.

Catalonia as a region is very conscious of the importance of the European Union and of its own role in the Europe of the regions. Within the EU context, it has participated actively in promoting the roles of the Assembly of European Regions and the Committee of the Regions. In cooperation with three other European regions, Catalonia actively participates in the 'Four Motors for Europe' Group, and also forms part of a Euro-region along with Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées.