What is Catalan independence movement?
[[File:La Unión i el Fènix P1160234.JPG|thumb|220px|People for Catalan independence in 2012]] [[File:Estelada blava.svg|thumb|right|190px|[[Estelada]], the flag of Catalan independence]] The '''Catalan independence''' or '''separatism''' is a political movement that supports the independence of [[Catalonia]] or the [[Catalan countries]] from [[Spain]] and [[France]]. The Catalan independence movement began in the 19th century. The separatists believe that Catalonia is a nation. Catalonia has its own language ([[Catalan language]]) and culture ([[Catalan culture]]). During the [[Francisco Franco]] dictatorship, Catalans and the Catalan language were oppressed. Recently, the number of people who support Catalan independence has increased. In 2012 there was a demonstration in [[Barcelona]] with 1.500.000 people.<ref>[http://www.catalannewsagency.com/news/politics/15-million-people-demonstrate-peacefully-catalonia%E2%80%99s-independence-spain] 1.5 million people demonstrate peacefully for Catalonia’s independence from Spain</ref> The majority of the parliament in Catalunya wants to have a referendum on independence, and 55% identify as separatists. The [[Estelada|Estelada flag]] is the symbol of the Catalan independence movement. == References == {{reflist}} [[Category:Catalonia]] [[Category:Nationalist organizations in Europe]] [[Category:Politics of France]] [[Category:Politics of Spain]] {{politics-stub}}