Is Catalan the same as Spanish?

Another unique aspect of Catalan is its close relationship with sociopolitical identity. Both Spanish and Catalan are official languages in Catalonia, but the use of Catalan is seen as a strong expression of cultural and linguistic identity due to historical suppression. The push for linguistic rights and the creation of institutions like the Institut d'Estudis Catalans (Institute of Catalan Studies) have all contributed to making the use of Catalan a political as well as cultural marker.