Barcelona is located in the northeastern part of the Iberian Peninsula, facing the Mediterranean Sea. It’s one of the oldest cities in the world and a hub of culture, history, and art. The city thrives in its unique cultural identity with the Catalan language widely spoken. Barcelona is Spain's second most populated city and is one of the world's leading tourist, economic, and cultural centres. Its influence in commerce, education, entertainment, media, fashion, science, and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the world's major global cities. Barcelona is known for its iconic landmarks like the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, Gothic Quarter, and the Picasso Museum.

The last census data from 2019 shows that Barcelona had a population of 1,636,762. Barcelona is considered to be one of the most diverse cities in Spain. According to the 2019 data, approximately 23% of the population was born outside of Spain. The city is home to people from various religious backgrounds. As of 2019, 57.7% of people in Barcelona identified themselves as Catholic, 2.5% as Muslim, 1% Protestant, and 1.2% Orthodox. However, 37.4% of respondents declared that they followed no religion. Barcelona is a multilingual city with Catalan and Spanish being the two official languages. However, due to its diversity, languages like English, French, Italian, Chinese, and Arabic are also spoken. The city is known for its tradition of 'Castells'—human towers that can reach up to 10 levels high and have been recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Barcelona also has a tradition of hosting world-class sporting events, including the 1992 Olympics.

Barcelona is governed by a city council formed by 41 councilors and led by the Mayor of Barcelona. The city is divided into 10 districts, each represented by a council led by a council president. The Mayor and the council presidents are elected to a four-year term by the citizens of Barcelona. The city council is responsible for planning and community services, while the government of Catalonia provides health and education services.

Barcelona is a significant economic centre with one of Europe's principal Mediterranean ports, and Barcelona International Airport handles about 50 million passengers each year. It is also the world's leading city in hosting congresses and conventions. Barcelona's GDP is around €177 billion, contributing significantly to the Spanish economy. The city is an important hub for commerce, real estate, technology, and services. In recent years, Barcelona has strengthened its position as a centre for start-ups and new technologies.

The city of Barcelona has a comprehensive infrastructure plan in place, aiming for a sustainable and smart city model. Barcelona was one of the first cities in the world to introduce a solar thermal ordinance in 2000. The city has a well-developed public transport system, which includes the bus network, metro system and tram lines. The city is also known for its bike-lane network and a bike-sharing program. In terms of digital infrastructure, Barcelona is considered the third best city in the world for start-ups and has the fastest internet speed in Spain.