Chapter 167 Countless tasks are waiting for me to do
As the world's first "empire on which the sun never sets," Spain now lives a rather low-key life, making little splash internationally.
But it doesn't matter, because their country has a "trouble-making" Catalonia.
Spain is a bit of a weird place. Although it is divided into 17 autonomous regions, it has never recognized itself as a federal country. Catalonia, Galicia and Basque are the three autonomous regions with the greatest autonomy. They even have their own parliaments, can elect their own local chief executives and even have legislative power!
What is Catalonia best known for? Besides the renowned Barcelona football club, it's its independence movement.
They have a long history of striving for independence. After the Kingdom of Aragon and the Spanish royal family married and Catalonia was incorporated into Spain more than 600 years ago, the struggle for independence here has never stopped.
Their history is quite sad. Over the past few hundred years, they have been independent several times and beaten several times. Their Catalan language has been banned and restored several times.
Before 1975, they were not allowed to speak Catalan for nearly half a century. It was not until the death of Spanish dictator Franco in 1975 that they regained their autonomy and were able to use their own language again. Therefore, Catalans hate Franco.
Why is Barcelona so enthusiastic when playing Real Madrid? Back when Franco was alive, he promoted "football diplomacy," and Real Madrid became his symbol, known as "Franco's team." Meanwhile, Catalonia's "Barcelona" and the Basque country's "Athletic Bilbao" represented regional independence, so every time these two teams played Real Madrid, the atmosphere was filled with tension.
It is said that World War II was the "World Anti-Fascist War". In fact, there were still fascist countries in the world after the end of World War II, and that was Spain. Until 1975, Spain was ruled by the fascist regime led by Franco.
Besides historical reasons, another reason for Catalonia's independence is that it is the most economically developed region in Spain, contributing one-fifth of Spain's GDP.
But just like California's secession from the United States, it's a case of wealth leading to more ambitions: Catalonia contributes 20% of Spain's taxes each year, but only receives 14% of its fiscal grants. As a result, Catalans believe Spain is bleeding them dry. This is why Catalonia regularly holds an independence referendum.
But you want to vote for independence?
In 2014, they held an independence referendum, and 90% of Catalans supported Catalan independence. As a result, the Spanish government directly declared the referendum invalid, and then officially took over the Catalonia region and dismissed senior Catalan leaders.
The Spanish government's brutal interference has received direct support from governments in various Western countries.
So, forget about Western democracy, and don't rely on "referendums" to express public rights. "Referendums" are a joke. They only accept the referendum results they want to accept.
The failure of this independence campaign also made Catalonia's independence faction realize that without armed forces, everything is useless. Therefore, some people are secretly working for independence. If such a submarine falls into their hands, the consequences will definitely be troublesome.
This is why CNI is eager to find this submarine.
Xiao Peng had no interest in the two million, but he was interested in the convenience of operating along the coast of Spain. After all, Spain is surrounded by the sea on three sides, and the territorial waters from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, including the Strait of Gibraltar, are all their territorial waters.
As the only passage connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the Strait of Gibraltar is arguably the lifeline of the Western world. It has been a battleground for thousands of years and remains so today. Control is shared by Britain, Spain, and the United States.
It is understandable that Spain controls the Strait of Gibraltar, but what does this have to do with Britain and America?
In fact, Gibraltar, the fortress that controls the Strait of Gibraltar, is under the control of the British. There is a saying that goes: If the British are happy, the Mediterranean is a sea, but if the British are unhappy? The Mediterranean is a lake.
Gibraltar is of course a Spanish territory. In 1713, Spain gave Gibraltar and Menorca to Britain. Later, Menorca was returned, but Gibraltar has not been returned to this day.
Two hundred years ago, a plague struck British Gibraltar. Spain, unable to cope with the situation, opened up part of its territory to aid the people. As a result, after the plague ended, the land they had opened up became British territory. The British argued: "We've been here long enough, so this place belongs to us."
The two countries still argue today over Gibraltar's sovereignty. In 1966, Gibraltar held a referendum, allowing residents to decide whether to belong to Britain or Spain. 99% of the vote chose Britain. Gibraltarians consider themselves superior Britons and look down on Spain, a second-rate nation. And yet, Britain, as one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, continues to bully Spain.
Do you feel sorry for Spain?
Not at all, actually.
Morocco, located south of the Strait of Gibraltar, should have had control over the Strait of Gibraltar. However, it was directly ignored because of its small size and weakness. In addition, Ceuta in the northeastern corner of Morocco was also occupied by Spain and became a Spanish overseas enclave.
Let’s put it this way, just as Britain bullies Spain, Spain bullies Morocco.
Anger without strength is meaningless.
In any case, the result is that Britain also has control over the Strait of Gibraltar.
So what does this have to do with America?
The US Mediterranean Fleet is based at the Rota Naval Base in Spain, which can control and blockade the Strait of Gibraltar at any time.
Regardless, the Strait of Gibraltar undoubtedly holds the highest concentration of shipwrecks in the world. At least 58,000 shipwrecks of all kinds, dating back to various periods of history, have sunk within the 58-kilometer-long Strait of Gibraltar.
There are so many valuable shipwrecks here! Odyssey salvaged the Mercedes here!
But it is too difficult to salvage the shipwreck there!
The Strait of Gibraltar is not the Suez Canal. Its deepest point is nearly 1,200 meters, and its average depth is close to 400 meters. Salvaging a shipwreck there? No one except the top deep-sea salvage companies would waste their time there. Furthermore, the complex control structures there also make salvage operations more difficult.
If Xiao Peng really finds the S-80 and establishes good relations with the Spanish side so that he can salvage it there, it will definitely be a good thing for his future ocean salvage work.
The problem Xiao Peng faces now is not lack of work, but lack of tools!
If the S-80 is too deep, he would not dare to make it public even if he found it, otherwise he would not be able to explain it.
What a fucking trouble!
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