加泰罗尼亚为什么想脱离西班牙搞独立？这要从中世纪说起……

September 11 traditionally marks " La Diada" , Catalonia's national day which commemorates the fall of Barcelona to Spain in 1714.

This year, the streets of Barcelona became a river of Estelada flags as pro-independence supporters turned out in the thousands, in support of Catalonia's independence from Spain.

This year's march came less than three weeks ahead of the October 1st referendum on the issue.

But why do Catalans want to separate from Spain?

Let's break it down.

The history of Catalonia goes back to the early Middle Ages and believed to be a separate nation from the very beginning.

It's located in the northeastern corner of Spain, bordering France and Andorra with a population of 7.5 million people.

It's the wealthiest of Spain's 17 semi-autonomous regions.

In the 12th century, its kingdom came under the rule of the neighbouring kingdom of Aragon.

In the 15th century, when King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castile married and united their domains, it became part of a unified Spain.