Catalan bears varying degrees of similarity to the linguistic varieties subsumed under the cover term Occitan language (see also differences between Occitan and Catalan and Gallo-Romance languages). Thus, as it should be expected from closely related languages, Catalan today shares many traits with other Romance languages.
What is Catalan a variety of? What are the degrees of similarity with Occitan and Gallo-Romance languages? What are there besides degrees of similarity with Occitan? What does Catalan share with other Romance languages? Why does Catalan share many traits with other Romance languages?