Berguedà

Berguedà

Country: Spain
Autonomous community: Catalonia
Provinces: Barcelona
Capital: Berga
Municipalities: Avià, Bagà, Berga, Borredà, Capolat, Casserres, Castell de l'Areny, Castellar de n'Hug, Castellar del Riu, Cercs, L'Espunyola, Fígols, Gironella, Gisclareny, Guardiola de Berguedà, Gósol, Montclar, Montmajor, La Nou de Berguedà, Olvan, La Pobla de Lillet, Puig-reig, La Quar, Sagàs, Saldes, Sant Jaume de Frontanyà, Sant Julià de Cerdanyola, Santa Maria de Merlès, Vallcebre, Vilada, Viver i Serrateix
Area: Total 1,182.5 km2 (456.6 sq mi)
Population: Total 37,995
Density: 32.1/km2 (83.2/sq mi)
Time zone: CET (UTC+1)
Largest municipality: Berga

Berguedà is a comarca (county) in the interior of Catalonia, Spain, lying partly in the Pyrenees and partly in Catalonia's Depressió Central.

Geography

The northern half of Berguedà, known as Alt Berguedà or “Upper Berguedà”, consists of the upper valley of Llobregat and the mountainous areas surrounding it. Its northern border is a veritable mountain barrier: Berguedà is separated from Cerdanya by a chain of 2,000-meter peaks. These include the mountain ranges of Cadí, Moixeró, Puig d'Alp and Puigllançada. In this area the population is centered mainly in the valley of Llobregat and the valleys of the rivers Bagà, Bastareny and Saldes. To the east are the mountain ranges of Catllaràs and Rasos de Tubau, to the west the high ranges of Pedraforca, Verd, Ensija and Rasos de Peguera.
The more populous Baix Berguedà is the southern part of the comarca. It is made up of the foothills of the Pyrenees, transitioning into the plains of the Catalan Central Depression.
Climate
Rasos de Peguera in Berguedà.Alt Berguedà is rainy and (by Catalan standards) cold, with snow in the winter on the higher peaks. Average annual precipitation exceeds 1000 mm (40 inches), mostly in the warmer seasons.
The vegetation consists mainly of forests of Scots Pine and oak. Shadier areas have European Beech and, less often, Silver Fir. Above 1700 meters, Mountain Pine dominates and above 2200 meters the vegetation consists primarily of alpine meadows. The southern half of Berguedà consists of lower valleys, with a dry Mediterranean climate. Average annual precipitation is 700 to 900 mm (28 to 36 inches), with very little precipitation in the summer. Average annual temperatures fall between 11 and 13 °C, with cold winters, but without excessively hot summers. The naturally occurring vegetation is carrascara (Round-leafed oak, Quercus ilex subsp. rotundifolia) in dry areas with poor soil and oaks where there is better soil and more rain. In the center and to the west, Portuguese oak (Quercus faginea) dominates, to the west and north Downy oak (Quercus pubescens, syn. Q. humilis). Nowadays, these are intermixed with Scots Pine and Aleppo Pine.

Population and economy

Berguedà has always been sparsely populated. In 1860 there were 31,544 inhabitants, but by 1887 the population had fallen to a low of 23,257. The 1900 census showed a slight rebound to 27,217 inhabitants. For the next 60 years, growing opportunities in mining, textiles, forestry, cattle ranching, and agriculture led to a slow but steady increase, with 39,600 inhabitants in 1930, 41,938 in 1950 and 47,953 in 1960. Then, with a decline in the local economy (especially a fall-off in mining) coinciding with greater opportunity elsewhere, another decline of the economy and population set in, with the population falling to 44,446 in 1970, 42,152 in 1981, and a mere 37,995 today.
Currently, industrial activity is located mainly in between Berga and Puig-reig. The opening of the Cadí Tunnel and the general improvement of the roads in recent (as of 2004[update]) years may improve the economic potential of the valley of Llobregat and of Berguedà in general.
Agriculture, cattle ranching and forestry have proved generally complementary to one another and compatible with tourism. The growth in tourism has provided some jobs and has been a key factor in reducing emigration from Alt Berguedà. Many farm houses have been converted (in whole or in part) to tourism-related uses.

Main sights

Berguedà is well known for Pedraforca mountain --traditionally considered a meeting place for witches' covens-- for its pastoral and mountain scenery and for its many romanesque churches. Another often-visited sight is the Mountain of Queralt (home to a sanctuary housing the Comarca's patroness, the Virgin of Queralt), which is served by many hiking trails and offers views of much of Berguedà and the surrounding comarques. The comarca also contains many medieval bridges and conserves many old town centers, most notably those of Berga or Bagà.

Events

Berguedà is well known for its many traditional festivals. The most famous is certainly the Patum, a week-long celebration held in Berga every summer. During the Patum, representations of different mythological beasts and historical figures take to the streets, and concerts and banquets are also organized in the town. Another well-known celebration is the Fia-faia, held every Christmas Eve in Bagà and Sant Julià de Cerdanyola. This pre-christian tradition marks the winter solstice, with participants carrying lighted bundles of Cephalaria leucanta from a bonfire in the mountains to the west of either town (where the sun is seen to set) to the main square.

Municipalities:
Avià - population: 2,015
Bagà - population: 2,160
Berga - population: 16,175
Borredà - population: 518
Capolat - population: 79
Casserres - population: 1,548
Castell de l'Areny - population: 60
Castellar de n'Hug - population: 184
Castellar del Riu - population: 152
Cercs - population: 1,342
L'Espunyola - population: 270
Fígols - population: 48
Gironella - population: 4,853
Gisclareny - population: 36
Guardiola de Berguedà - population: 926
Gósol - population: 223
Montclar - population: 121
Montmajor - population: 460
La Nou de Berguedà - population: 159
Olvan - population: 897
La Pobla de Lillet - population: 1,348
Puig-reig - population: 4,197
La Quar - population: 68
Sagàs - population: 140
Saldes - population: 346
Sant Jaume de Frontanyà - population: 28
Sant Julià de Cerdanyola - population: 258
Santa Maria de Merlès - population: 151
Vallcebre - population: 284
Vilada - population: 507
Viver i Serrateix - population: 193

Mountainous area at the head of the river Llobregat, framed by the high Pyrenees and the foothills: Cadí-Moixeró range, now a Natural Park, which includes the striking Pedraforca massif, Puigllançada, the Ensija sierra, Rasos de Peguera (with a ski resort) and the Catllaràs sierra, which make up Alt Berguedà, with its steep slopes and harsh beauty. Baix Berguedà, on the other hand, is a gentle plain furrowed by rivers and streams. The river Llobregat is the backbone, flowing from north to south and forming the Baells reservoir. The mediaeval county of Berga was once linked to the great county of Cerdanya. After the 18th century, agriculture and wool weaving were gradually replaced by the cotton industry, of which Berguedà was a pioneer ("La Berguedana" was a famous spinning wheel) which explains the large housing estates for the textile workers. The industry exploited the water power from the Llobregat until the present crisis in the sector began. Tourism and second homes have taken on increasing importance in recent decades.