A determined Catalonia has formally called an independence referendum and has set the date for 9 November, putting it on a collision course with the Spanish government.

Catalan President Artur Mas signed the decree in a ceremony at the regional government’s headquarters in the city of Barcelona today.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is expected to chair an emergency cabinet meeting in Madrid on Monday to discuss a blocking of the vote via Spain’s Constitutional Court.

The fiercely nationalistic region - some parts of which have been trying to break apart from the rest of Spain for some decades - made moves to prepare for an independence referendum earlier this month on the same day that Scotland’s vote returned ‘no’.

“Like all the nations of the world, Catalonia has the right to decide its political future,” Mr Mas said today.

In pictures: Catalonia independence demonstrations in Spain Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Catalonia independence demonstrations in Spain In pictures: Catalonia independence demonstrations in Spain Spain People wave flags, that symbolize Catalonia's independence, in Barcelona AP In pictures: Catalonia independence demonstrations in Spain Spain An anti-independence Catalan holds an unconstitutional Spanish flag as he takes part in a demonstration for the unity of Spain in the centre of Barcelona during Catalonia National Day (Diada) In pictures: Catalonia independence demonstrations in Spain Spain Demonstrators gather around a ballot box during a Pro-Independence demonstration as part of the celebrations of the National Day of Catalonia in Barcelona In pictures: Catalonia independence demonstrations in Spain Spain Demonstrators march during a Pro-Independence demonstration as part of the celebrations of the National Day of Catalonia in Barcelona In pictures: Catalonia independence demonstrations in Spain Spain People stand on a balcony decorated with Catalonia flags in Barcelona In pictures: Catalonia independence demonstrations in Spain Spain A Catalan opposed to independence gives a fascist salute as he takes part in a demonstration for the unity of Spain in the centre of Barcelona during Catalonia National Day (Diada) In pictures: Catalonia independence demonstrations in Spain Spain Members of right-wing party National Alliance take part in a demonstration with a banner reading 'Against the independence manipulation of the History' during the occasion of the 'Diada' or Catalonian Day, in Barcelona In pictures: Catalonia independence demonstrations in Spain Spain A man and a girl with their faces painted with flags, that symbolizes Catalonia's independence, stand during a demonstration calling for the independence of Catalonia in Barcelona In pictures: Catalonia independence demonstrations in Spain Spain Demonstrators march holding torches during a Pro-Independence demonstration in Barcelona In pictures: Catalonia independence demonstrations in Spain Spain An aerial view of a giant Senyera (Catalan flag) formed by several thousands of demonstrators during celebrations of Catalonia National Day (Diada) in Barcelona

“We want to vote and we want to decide and now we have to means to do so,” he added, despite the Spanish government insisting that the referendum is illegal and unconstitutional.

During a speech given in Catalan, Spanish and English, after ratifying the vote, Mr Mas said, according to Reuters: “As all the nations in the world, Catalonia has the right to decide its political future... We believe that political issues must be resolved by negotiation and civilised attitudes. And we know that democracy is the most civilised way to resolve difficulties between nations.”

However, Madrid says that a referendum on sovereignty that does not include all Spaniards is against the country’s 1978 constitution.

Catalan President Artur Mas at the Palau de la Generalitat in Barcelona today (EPA)

It also argues that Catalonia, an economically prosperous area of Spain, also has a large degree of autonomy including control of its police force and its own parliament.

As Mr Mas called the referendum, hundreds of pro-independence supporters congregated outside the government building, waving flags and banners which read “Live free or die” and “We are a nation”.

A ‘yes’ vote for the Catalans would not immediately result in secession, but could be leveraged by Mr Mas to engage independence negotiations.

He says he will not do anything illegal and will pursue the matter through democratic means.

“No government, nobody, is above the law because nobody is above the sovereign will of all the Spanish people,” Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Saenz de Santamaria said in a press conference.

“We deeply regret this, and believe the Catalan President's initiative is a mistake. It fractures the Catalan society, divides the Catalan people and distances them from Europe and the spirit of the times.”

Oriol Junqueras, the leader of left-leaning pro-nationalist party ERC has previously suggested that civil disobedience could occur should the vote be vetoed, while a Spanish judges’ association warned that the organisers of an illegal referendum could face up to 15 years in prison.