Barcelona is a major city located on the northeastern coast of Spain, facing the Mediterranean Sea. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia. Geographically, Barcelona lies on a plain about 5 km wide, situated between the mouths of two rivers, the Llobregat to the southwest and the Besòs to the northeast, and is bordered by the Serra de Collserola mountain range to the west. It is approximately 120 km (75 miles) south of the Pyrenees mountains and the French border

. The city covers an area of around 101 km² (39 sq mi) within city limits and forms part of a larger metropolitan area with a population of about 5.3 million people, making it one of the largest urban areas in the European Union

. Barcelona is also a significant Mediterranean port and commercial center, known for its cultural richness and strategic location as a gateway between Europe and other continents

. In summary, Barcelona is situated in northeastern Spain on the Mediterranean coast, between two river deltas, protected by mountains, and serves as the capital of Catalonia and a major European metropolis