Congress Organisation

Organising Committee

Scientific Committee

Host Country

Spain is a country located in south-western Europe, bordered by France to the north-east, Portugal to the west, and the small British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar towards the southern tip. Its area is just over 505,000 square kilometers, positioning it as 52nd largest country in the world, and second in the European Union, to which Spain belongs. The country’s government system is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with a democratic approach to leadership. The Spanish capital city is Madrid, located in the exact center of the country.The territory of Spain is comprised of its mainland (around a fifth of the Iberian Peninsula), the Balearic Islands archipelago, located in the Mediterranean Sea off the mainland’s east coast; the Canary Islands archipelago, located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of southern Morocco; and the seaside enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, located in northern Morocco.

The country has a population of about 49 million, concentrated mainly in the cities of Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville. The coastal regions of Malaga, Alicante Valencia and Catalonia also have a higher density of population per square kilometer.

Politically Spain is divided into autonomous communities, which are further divided into provinces, then smaller areas known as comarcas and finally municipalities, which are the individual villages, towns and cities. In total, there are 17 communities plus Ceuta and Melilla, and 50 provinces.

Host City

The cradle of Catalan culture, amongst many other cultures and civilizations, and a witness to major transformations such as the Industrial Revolution or the Civil War amongst many others, Barcelona has a fascinating history. The first human settlements in Barcelona date back to Neolithic times. The city itself was founded by the Romans who set up a colony called Barcino at the end of the 1st century BC.

For over 200 years, Barcelona was under Muslim rule and, following the Christian reconquest, it became a county of the Carolingian Empire and one of the main residences of the court of the Crown of Aragon.

The fruitful medieval period established Barcelona’s position as the economic and political hub of the Western Mediterranean. The city’s Gothic Quarter bears witness to the splendour enjoyed by the city from the 13th to the 15th centuries.

From the 15th to 18th centuries Barcelona entered a period of decline, while it struggled to maintain its economic and political independence. This struggle ended in 1714, when the city fell to the Bourbon troops and Catalonia’s and Catalans’ rights and privileges were suppressed.

A period of cultural recovery began in the mid-19th century with the arrival of the textile industry. During this period, which was known as the Renaixença, Catalan regained prominence as a literary language.

The 20th century ushered in widespread urban renewal throughout Barcelona city, culminating in its landmark Example district, which showcases some of Barcelona’s most distinctive Catalan art-nouveau, or modernista, buildings. The Catalan Antoni Gaudí, one of the most eminent architects, designed buildings such as the Casa Milà (known as La Pedrera, the Catalan for stone quarry), the Casa Batlló and the Sagrada Família church, which have become world-famous landmarks.The freedoms achieved during this period were severely restricted during the Civil War in 1936 and the subsequent dictatorship. With the reinstatement of democracy in 1978, Barcelona society regained its economic strength and the Catalan language was restored. The city’s hosting of the 1992 Olympic Games gave fresh impetus to Barcelona’s potential and reaffirmed its status as a major metropolis.

In 2004, the Forum of Cultures reclaimed industrial zones to convert them into residential districts. An example of the renewed vigour with which Barcelona is looking towards the 21st century.

Useful Information

Language

There are two official languages in Catalonia: Catalan and Spanish, and there are more and more people in the region who understand and speak English.

Catalonia has its own language: Catalan. Most of the people who live in Barcelona are bilingual and speak Catalan and Spanish, which is also an official language. Street names and most road and transport signs are in Catalan.Many restaurants, especially those in the city centre, have menus in several languages.

Religion

Christianity (Catholic)

Population

1,628,090

Electricity

Electricity supply is 220 volts throughout Spain, with 2 pin wall sockets. For any European countries that use 240 volts, for e.g., UK and Ireland, most electrical equipment will function adequately.

Time Zone

The time zone in Spain is CET (Central European time) which is GMT + 1 hour.

Currency

Barcelona uses the Euro as its currency.

Tipping

Tipping is not a requirement, however, a 5% to 10% tip would be considered polite.

ATMs

Visitors may withdraw money in Euro with their debit cards from the ATMs.

Changing Money

Use a regular bank (La Caixa, Catalunya Caixa, Caixa Penedes, BBVA …) rather than exchange kiosks as the exchange ratio is more favourable in a regular bank. Moreover, financial institutions post their exchange rates outside so you will be able to compare their ratio to the ratios applied by the exchange kiosks.

Credit cards

Credit cards, including AMEX, are widely accepted in most restaurants and hotels. However many smaller restaurants and hostals still do not have credit card payment facilities.

Climate and Seasons

Barcelona has a typical Mediterranean climate. The weather in October and November is still pleasant but starting to get a little cooler (21°C down to 15°C, 69 to 59F). You won’t find sunshine every day though, so be prepared for days when it could be overcast with a little rain.

Detailed weather forecasts can be found on http://www.aemet.es/en/eltiempo/prediccion/municipios/barcelona-id08019

Telephone

Cell phones work within the whole city zone without any problems. You can also make phone calls with a cell phone in most of the metro stations and trains. There are several mobile cell phone companies available in Spain, like Vodafone, Telefonica, Orange and Yoigo.

Spanish phone numbers always have nine digits and don’t have a dialling code. A leading 0 no longer exists. What used to be the dialling code for Barcelona (93) is now part of every phone number and always has to be dialled.

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited in public buildings and public transport.

VISA / Letters of Invitation

Passport and Visa Requirements

If you are coming to Spain from another country in Europe, a passport or visa will never be required for entry into the country. If you are coming from a non-European country, however, you will need a passport, which must be valid for a period of 90 days after the length of the planned stay in Spain.

For updated information, please CLICK HERE

Alternatively, contact your embassy for more information.

Spanish Embassies and Consulates Abroad – CLICK HERE

VISA/Letters of Invitations

Letters of invitation required to meet the administrative and legal regulations for visas of some countries are available to participants upon written requests. Please inform the congress secretariat for further processing.

Sponsors / Grant Givers

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Congress Contacts