Calls for complete independence in the region have grown steadily since the region was granted a degree of autonomy in 1977 after General Francisco Franco’s rule.
In July 2010 a Constitutional Court in Madrid overruled part of a 2006 autonomy statute, deeming there was no legal basis for recognising Catalonia as a separate nation within Spain.
Since then demand for Catalan independence has been amplified by the economic crisis that hit Spain hard.
Making up 18.8 percent of Spanish GDP compared to 17.6 percent from Madrid, the Catalan region is one of the richest in Spain.
Frustration over the perceived excessive tax paid by Catalonia to Madrid has reached tipping point in a country where youth unemployment is at 38.6%.
Catalan leader has fought to establish an independent Catalan state since taking office last January and called the referendum in June.
A month later, regional parliament approved a law allowing it to formalize plans for Oct’ plebiscite.
