Catalonia occupies an area of almost 32,106 km2 in the north-eastern corner of the Iberian Peninsula, on the Mediterranean coast. The country is characterized by a varied combination of mountains, beaches and areas of outstanding natural beauty close to the main population centers. This privileged position means that Catalans enjoy a pleasant climate most of the year, which contributes substantially to one of the best levels of quality of life in Europe. Although small in size, in Catalonia you will find a first-class environment for living as well as doing business and this helps companies maintain a satisfied and stable workforce.

Thanks to its remarkable geographical position, Catalonia is also the gateway between the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of Europe, ensuring fast and easy access to the rest of the world. Barcelona International Airport handles 25 million passengers a year. Catalonia boasts two of the most important ports on the Mediterranean. A wide range of industrial locations, office space and technology parks are available. Catalonia will be the link between the Spanish and European high-speed train networks.

Spain, and with it Catalonia, has been a member of the EU since 1986. In addition to EU membership, Spain and Catalonia are participants in Economic and Monetary Union. In fact, over the centuries, the Catalan economy has been the powerhouse of Spain. This contribution to the Spanish economy is still a fact today, with Catalan production currently accounting for 19% of total Spanish GDP. Catalonia's economic prospects are bright and its anticipated GDP growth is above the EU average. The distribution of Catalonia's economy follows a similar pattern to that of the other EU countries, with a balanced combination of industry and services.

Catalonia is one of Spain's seventeen autonomous communities and its present structure of political power is basically defined by Statute of Autonomy and the political institutions of the Generalitat de Catalunya. The Statute of Catalonia establishes a democratic political entity with the necessary attributes of self-government for performing governmental functions in Catalonia. The Government of Catalonia deals with education, healthcare, industry, public works, culture, agriculture, the environment, tourism, local administration and employment, amongst others. Catalan and Spanish are the two official languages of Catalonia.

The Generalitat de Catalunya is the official name given to the group of autonomous political institutions made up of the Parliament, the President of the Generalitat, the Executive Council, the High Court and the Ombudsman. The Government of Catalonia fully acknowledges the importance of business activities and foreign investment and has proved to have a very pro-business outlook, one illustration of which was the creation of the Catalonia Investment Agency in 1985, a pioneering initiative in Spain.