| |
| Location | 
|
| Official language | Occitan, Catalan |
| Capital | Montpelhièr |
| Largest City | Barcelona |
| President | Montse Rodriguez |
| Area | 22,090 km² |
| Population | 8,600,000 |
| HDI | 0.963 |
| Sovereignty | 1255 (recognized) |
| Currency | Euro |
| Our Timeline Equivalent | some of Occitania (France), all of Catalonia and Valencia (Spain) |
Occitania and Catalonia (or more commonly Catatania), formally the Republic of Occitania and Catalonia is a democratic nation abutting southwest France, northwest Spain, Andorra, and western Euskadi. As one of the first continuous democratic nations in Europe and the world, it has always been a force for advancing democratic ideals across the world. It also has been at the forefront of advancing human and animal rights.
Name[]
Occitania and Catalonia has often been called "Catalonia" in English for short. (This parallels the use of "Holland" for "Netherland".) Even though it is officially incorrect, "Catalonia" is often used by Catalonians (meaning only those living in the regions of Catalonia and Valencia) and foreign people to denote the entire country, possibly because "Occitania and Catalonia" is more cumbersome. As the largest city of the country and a major world port, Barcelona was the most visited area by foreigners. Barcelonans would often call their country Catalonia. People from Occitania, however, are often offended when referred to as "Catalonians". A shorter and more precise term for the country is Catatania, an amalgam of Catalonia and Occitania. Since the two sub-states have a large degree of autonomy, it is fine to refer to Occitania and Catalonia by these names, if used to refer only to those individual sub-states. Valencia is a part of Catalonia, but extra respect will usually be paid to those who use the name Valencia to refer to the area.
Demographics[]
Ethnic Groups[]
Owing to its generally liberal attitudes throughout its existence, many persecuted ethnic, religious, and other minorities settled in Catatania in the Middle Ages and early Modern Era. However, many of the Pemhakamik nations later overtook it in terms of immigration. Catatanians' origins are as follows:
- 94% European
- 82% Native
- 45% Catalonian
- 28% Occitanian
- 09% Valencian
- 02% Spanish
- 03% French
- 07% other European
- 01.5% Greek
- 01.5% Roma
- 01% Byzantine
- 01% Dutch
- 82% Native
- 06% non-European
- 02% Indian
- 01% Chinese
- 01% Pachan and Pemhakamik Aboriginal
- 00.5% Arabic
- 00.5% Sub-Saharan African
Religions[]
Catatania is the birthplace of Catharism. This religion has played a major role in the development of the culture of the country. Religious minorities (and non-religious people) from other regions have often migrated to Catatania while there were persecutions in their home countries. This is what Catatanians professed to be (as of 2006):
- 42% Nonreligious
- 21% atheist
- 21% agnostic
- 38% Cathar
- 09% Christian
- 05% Catholic
- 02% Quaker
- 01% Eastern Orthodox
- 01% other Christian
- 06% Jewish
- 01% Buddhist
- 01% Hindu
- 01% Jain
- 01% Muslim
- 01% other
Vegetarianism[]
89% of Catatanians are vegetarian (2006 estimate).
- 89% Vegetarian
- 51% Vegan Vegetarian
- 29% Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian
- 07% Lacto Vegetarian
- 02% Ovo Vegetarian
- 11% Non-Vegetarian
Languages[]
Catatania's official languages are Occitan and Catalan. However, French, Spanish, and English, are widely spoken as second languages, and all of the minority languages have a right to protection. Also, Catalan and Occitan speakers are exposed to each other through the media, and this creates a much greater degree of mutual intelligibility between the languages. As for the non-native languages, besides French and Spanish TV programs being widely viewed in their original languages (with Occitan and Catalan subtitles), there are TV channels in Hindi, Mandarin, and Greek, along with a channel dedicated to programs from around the world in their native tongues. All programs (even those mainly catering to minorities, but minus "live" shows) are by law subtitled in Occitan and Catalan. This is because the government feels that all people should be able to derive entertainment from any other culture. Languages are very much split down autonomous sub-state and ethnic lines. The following list shows the most-used languages at home (2006 estimate).
- 58% Catalan (including the Valencian dialect)
- 33% Occitan
- 02% French
- 02% Spanish
- 01% English
- 01% Greek
- 01% other European languages
- 02% non-European languages
Nearly 100% of Catatanians can at least understand both Catalan and Occitan. In the same way, many more people know how to speak the other languages on the list than is shown above, as this list only takes into account primary languages spoken at home and does not take into account multilingualism.