10 July 2010 Last updated at 22:40

In pictures: Catalan demonstrations

A man holds the Catalan flag as hundreds of thousands of people march on July 10, 2010 in Barcelona

A man waves the estelada - the flag of Catalan independence - as more than a million people take to the streets in Barcelona calling for greater autonomy for the region of Catalonia.

People take to the streets with a huge Catalan flag during a protest for greater autonomy for Catalonia within Spain in central Barcelona

Organisers said about 1,400 Catalan organisations, including political parties, trade unions and other associations, had called on members to join the rally.

People holding up a Pro-independent Catalan flag demonstrate against the sentence of the Spain"s Highest court in Barcelona, Spain

The protests come after the confirmation of a court ruling which states that there is no legal basis for Catalonia to be recognised as a nation.

A man holds a placard as hundreds of thousands of people marched on July 10, 2010 in Barcelona in support of the Catalan region"s statute of autonomy

Although much of the region's statute was upheld, the court also ruled that the Catalan language should not be prioritised over Castilian Spanish.

Demonstrators hold Catalan flags and shout slogans as they take part in a protest in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, July 10, 2010

The region's statute was passed in a referendum in 2006 and is supported by most political parties.

A man sits on his balcony beside a Spanish flag in Barcelona, Spain.

The issue sparks a debate over identity in Spain, including whether Catalan residents should display national symbols ahead of the World Cup final on Sunday.

Europe

In pictures: Catalan demonstrations

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