Garraf

Country: Spain
Autonomous community: Catalonia
Province: Barcelona
Capital: Vilanova i la Geltrú
Municipalities:
Canyelles, Cubelles, Olivella, Sant Pere de Ribes, Sitges, Vilanova i la Geltrú
Area: Total 185.3 km2 (71.5 sq mi)
Population: Total 143,066
Density: 772.1/km2 (1,999.7/sq mi)
Time zone: CET (UTC+1)
Largest municipality: Vilanova i la Geltrú
Garraf is a comarca (county) in the province of Barcelona, Catalonia, northern Spain.

Municipalities:
Canyelles - population: 3,127
Cubelles - population: 10,617
Olivella - population: 2,179
Sant Pere de Ribes - population: 26,108
Sitges - population: 24,470
Vilanova i la Geltrú - population: 61,427

Garraf is on the coast and —with Alt and Baix Penedès— forms the Penedès region, famous for its wine. It includes a large part of the limestone Garraf massif (Natural Park), dotted with caves and potholes and rich in plant life (dwarf palm, kermes oak, giant reed, etc.), which falls sharply to the sea, forming a jagged coastline with high cliffs. The population is concentrated on the coastal plain, whose towns have long tourist traditions: Vilanova i la Geltrú (capital) and Sitges, as well as Cubelles and Sant Pere de Ribes. In the Middle Ages the area was part of the county of Barcelona and was under two great lordly jurisdictions, Olèrdola and Castellet (Alt Penedès). The economy, traditionally based on seafaring activities (fishing and maritime trade) and, to a lesser extent, on farming and stock-breeding, has taken a great leap forward thanks to industry in modern times (metal, chemicals, cement, etc.). But the mildness of the climate, the beauty of the landscape, the festivals and cultural events combined with a good infrastructure (yachting harbours, golf courses) have made Garraf an outstanding tourist destination.