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Catalonia is composed of six regions called comarques. Without
any legal value, it is these micro regions that structure the
economic and social life and they are a point of reference for
everyone. These comarques are part of the Catalan spirit – a
collective of will with regards to the subtle nuances and differences
between the areas.
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The
Rosselló (Roussillon) is the area around Perpinyà
and it is also the biggest comarca (850km2) and the most populated
(80% of inhabitants). Composing a large area of horticulture
and wine-production, the Rosselló micro region faces
the Mediterranean Sea. Mount Canigó, situated in the
Conflent and Vallespir areas, is the most visible mountain.
Its principal rivers are the Tet, the Tec and the Agly. The
Rosselló is made up of many smaller zones, such as the
Salanca, the Marenda, the Aspres and the Riberal.
The
Conflent – with the major town of Prades, this area
is composed of a section of medium height mountains and some
higher altitude mountains. Its principal river is the Tet. The
Conflent also includes an interior zone at a higher altitude
called Les Garrotxes.
The
Vallespir appears to be a fairly dry area, composed
of plains, mountains and higher altitude mountains. Ceret is
the capital town of the comarca. Its principal river is the
Tec. Part of the area of the Aspres is included within the Vallespir.
The
Capcir – Formiguera is the main community. The Capcir
is the highest elevated of all the comarques in the Catalan
region – and the coldest in North Catalonia. Sharing a border
with the Cerdanya and a similar climate, it is a favourable
area for breeding and rearing cattle, winter sports and outdoor
activities. The Aude river has its source in the Capcir.
The
Cerdanya is dominated by the Pic Carlit (2921m) and
the Puigmal (2909m) and it is entirely frontier territory. Its
natural capital is Puigcerdà – found in the other Cerdanya,
a twin territory on the Spanish side of the border. Fontromeu
is the administrative representative of the North Catalan Cerdanya.
The principal river of the Cerdanya is El Segre.
Among
the 226 communities in North Catalonia the most heavily populated
is Perpignan with 122 000 residents (INSEE - 2007). The least
populated is Sança, in the Conflent, with 7 residents.
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