Airport
Barcelona's El Prat de Llobregat Airport is 12 kilometers south of the city center. Getting into the city by car takes 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the traffic. By train, travel time to the central station is less than 20 minutes. Besides time, you'll also save cash -- the fare is 400 pesetas, a fifth of what a cab ride will cost. Trains from the airport leave every 30 minutes. A third option is the Aerobus that leaves the airport for Plaça de Catalunya every 15 minutes (6 am-11 pm) on weekdays and every 30 minutes, (6:30 a.m.-10:50 p.m.) on weekends. From Plaça de Catalunya back to the airport, it leaves every 15 minutes (5:30 a.m.-10:05 p.m.) on weekdays and every 30 minutes (6:30 a.m.-10:50 a.m.) on weekends. The one-way fare is 500 pesetas. For more airport information, call tel. no. 93 298 38 38.

Visas
Citizens of the European Union and the following countries do not need a visa if they will stay in Spain for tourist or business purposes only for up to 90 days: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Colombia, South Korea, Costa Rica, Chile, Cyprus, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, Norway, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Croatia, Slovenia, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Switzerland, Uruguay, Venezuela. Citizens of other countries must apply for a visa to enter Spain.

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Credit Cards
Major credit cards are accepted by many businesses, but not by all. Ask merchants about what credit cards they accept before making your purchase. Eurocheques and most travellers' checks are widely accepted.

Currency
Single European currency (Euro): The Euro is now the official currency of 12 EU member states (including Spain). The first Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 2002; the Spanish Peseta was still in circulation until 28 February 2002, when it was completely replaced by the Euro. Euro (€) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. Click here for currency conversion

Tipping
In Spain, tipping is common, but not mandatory. A service charge is usually added to restaurant bills, but it is customary to round up the bill as a tip. If the service is exceptional, no more than 10% of the bill is necessary. In cafés and bars, loose change is fine for a tip. Hotels also add a service charge, but leaving tips for the maid and the porter is customary. Hotel porters are tipped about 100 pesetas a bag, while the person who brings you room service gets a similar amount. A doorman who calls a taxi for you gets 100 pesetas. If a taxi driver gives good service, 5% to 10% of the meter fare is a common tip.

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Useful Numbers:
Medical emergencies: 061
General emergencies: 112
Fire service: 080
Local Police: 092
State Police: 091
Guàrdia Civil: (information on road accidents) 93 352 61 61

Electricity
220 volts, but many hotels have 110 - 120 volt outlets. Wall outlets usually have round two-prong plugs. If you are using U.S. electrical equipment or appliances, you need to bring a converter and an adapter available in hardware or electrical shops.

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Health Risks
There are no unusual health hazards that you have to worry about while in Spain, since sanitary facilities are quite good. Tap water is clean, but you might want to buy bottled water. Many people find the water a bit distasteful because of its high mineral content. The high humidity and noticeable levels of air pollution tend to make the flu and other respiratory diseases common in Barcelona. Sunburn and sunstroke are two more problems frequently encountered during Spanish summers. Remember to apply sun-block lotion, and to drink enough liquids.

Time Zone
GMT+1, same as Brussels, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Geneva and Paris
GMT+2 from late March to late September (Daylight savings time)

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Business Hours
Banks are open from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays. During the summer months, they are closed on Saturdays. Stores are generally open from 9 or 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays. Almost all shops close at midday for at least three hours, except for the big department stores, which remain open all day. Nearly all stores are closed on Sunday.

Holidays
2008
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan* Epiphany.
19 Mar* San Jose.
20 Mar* Maundy Thursday.
21 Mar Good Friday.
1 May Labour Day.
15 Aug Assumption.
12 Oct National Day.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
6 Dec Constitution Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan* Epiphany.
19 Mar* San Jose.
9 Apr* Maundy Thursday.
10 Apr Good Friday.
1 May Labour Day.
15 Aug Assumption.
12 Oct National Day.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
6 Dec Constitution Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

If a holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, many people tend to take an extra day-off on the nearest Monday or Friday, for a long weekend called a puente (bridge). Some businesses and banks will remain open, but will most likely be understaffed.

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Climate
Barcelona has a mild Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and humid with temperatures often hitting 38 degrees Celsius. Winters are mild, and snow is infrequent. Rain falls mostly in the autumn and spring, when the mean temperature is 16ºC. The average daily minimum and maximum temperatures for Barcelona are: December-March (6-16°C); April-May and October-November (11-21°C); June-September (18-28°C). Click here for a 3-day Barcelona weather forecast.

Clothing
Business suits are appropriate for both men and women when conducting meetings. Darker colors are commonly worn during winter and lighter shades in summer. Avoid wearing plaid and checkered suits. Compared to Americans or the English, Spaniards tend to be more fashion-conscious. More so in Barcelona, whose fashion industry likes to think itself the equal of counterparts in Paris and Milan. So if you're headed out to a fine restaurant or nightclub, pick a dressier outfit - and keep the sneakers for jogging.

GDP Growth Rate
2.4%

Inflation
2.6%

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Exports
Cars and trucks, machinery, petroleum products, wines, footwear, tinned fruit and fish

Imports
Machinery, transport equipment, fuels, cotton, timber, semi-finished goods, consumer goods, chemicals

Trading Partners
EU (especially France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, UK, Benelux), US

Industries
Textiles & apparel, food & beverages, metals, chemicals, shipbuilding, tourism

Government
Parliamentary monarchy. Spain is administratively divided into 17 autonomous communities.

Geography
Spain is located in the southwestern part of the European continent, southwest of France. With an area of 504,750 square kilometers, it is the third-largest nation in Europe. Barcelona lies at the very north of the Spanish coast, alongside the Mediterranean Sea. It is 4 meters above sea level, and serves as one of the most important ports in the area.

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Population
Spain: 44.7 million
Barcelona: 1.6 million

Ethnic Groups
Major ethnic groups in Spain include the Basques, Catalans, Galicians, and the Gitanos (nomadic Spanish gypsies)

Language
Spanish and Catalan are the two official languages in Barcelona. Everybody can speak Spanish although Catalan, which sounds similar to French, is most commonly spoken.

Literacy
99%

Religion
Roman Catholic 99%