Alt Pirineu (Catalan pronunciation:[ˈaɫpi.ɾiˈnɛw]; English: Upper Pyrenees) is one of the nine regions (vegueries) of Catalonia.
Located in the north-west of Catalonia, specifically by the Pyrenees, it covers the higher mountain regions from the Aragon border to the Cerdanya. It is the second least populated region, with 63,892 inhabitants as of 2022.[1]
The location of the Upper Pyrenees is essentially strategic. It is bordered to the west by Aragon and to the north by Andorra and France's Occitania. Andorra has a significant importance in the region as, with a surface area of 8% compared to that of the region, Andorra has a population similar to the whole region. Besides, the small country has twice as many work places as the whole region, and its economy is closely tied to Andorra's. Taking advantage of this situation, the Catalan government aims to create joint Pyrenean strategies, particularly in terms of infrastructure and facilities, so that they are more favourable and can achieve sufficient critical mass to make them possible and viable.[5] Besides, the biggest city, La Seu d'Urgell, is the seat of the Bishop of Urgell, one of the co-princes of Andorra, and the region holds the Andorra–La Seu d'Urgell Airport.
Climate
The climate is predominantly mountainous. Four zones can be distinguished: one with an alpine and subalpine climate, another with an Atlantic climate (mainly the Aran Valley), and two other ones with high-mountain and medium/low-mountain Mediterranean climates.[5]
Protected natural spaces
The Upper Pyrenees holds a third of the protected natural areas of Catalonia. It includes a national park and two natural parks.
In addition, TV3's Telenotícies comarques programme used to offer a brief regional news segment via disconnections from the main feed for the regions of Alt Pirineu and Ponent until its discontinuation in June 2017.[8]
News
Some local news outlets in Alt Pirineu are Viure als Pirineus, RàdioSeu and Pallars Digital (the latter two aimed at Alt Urgell or Pallars Jussà and Pallars Sobirà, respectively, but servicing the whole region).[9]3/24, Ara, Nació, Diari Segre and Les Vegueries also include regional news sections for Alt Pirineu.