Spain

Spain

Introduction

Background

Spain’s powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political power. Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). A peaceful transition to democracy following the death of dictator Francisco FRANCO in 1975, and rapid economic modernization (Spain joined the EU in 1986) gave Spain a dynamic and rapidly growing economy and made it a global champion of freedom and human rights. The government continues to battle the Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorist organization, but its major focus for the immediate future will be on measures to reverse the severe economic recession that started in mid-2008.

Geography

Location

Southwestern Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, Bay of Biscay, and Pyrenees Mountains

southwest of France

Geographic coordinates

40 00 N, 4 00 W

Map references

Europe

Area

total: 505,370 sq km
country comparison to the world: 52 land:498,980 sq km
water:6,390 sq km
note:there are two autonomous cities – Ceuta and Melilla – and 17 autonomous communities including Balearic Islands and Canary Islands, and three small Spanish possessions off the coast of Morocco – Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera

Area – comparative

slightly more than twice the size of Oregon

Land boundaries

total: 1,917.8 km
border countries:Andorra 63.7 km, France 623 km, Gibraltar 1.2 km, Portugal 1,214 km, Morocco (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Morocco (Melilla) 9.6 km

Coastline

4,964 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone:24 nm
exclusive economic zone:200 nm (applies only to the Atlantic Ocean)

Climate

temperate

clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast

cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coast

Terrain

large, flat to dissected plateau surrounded by rugged hills

Pyrenees Mountains in north

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point:Pico de Teide (Tenerife) on Canary Islands 3,718 m

Natural resources

coal, lignite, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, uranium, tungsten, mercury, pyrites, magnesite, fluorspar, gypsum, sepiolite, kaolin, potash, hydropower, arable land

Land use

arable land: 27.18%
permanent crops:9.85%
other:62.97% (2005)

Irrigated land

38,000 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

111.1 cu km (2005)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 37.22cu km/yr (13%/19%/68%)
per capita:864cu m/yr (2002)

Natural hazards

periodic droughts, occasional flooding
volcanism:Spain experiences volcanic activity in the Canary Islands, located off Africa’s northwest coast

Teide (elev. 3,715 m) has been deemed a “Decade Volcano” by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations

La Palma (elev. 2,426 m), which last erupted in 1971, is the most active of the Canary Islands volcanoes

Lanzarote is the only other historically active volcano

Environment – current issues

pollution of the Mediterranean Sea from raw sewage and effluents from the offshore production of oil and gas

water quality and quantity nationwide

air pollution

deforestation

desertification

Environment – international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified:Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Geography – note

strategic location along approaches to Strait of Gibraltar

Spain controls a number of territories in northern Morocco including the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, and the islands of Penon de Velez de la Gomera, Penon de Alhucemas, and Islas Chafarinas

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Spaniard(s)
adjective:Spanish

Ethnic groups

composite of Mediterranean and Nordic types

Languages

Castilian Spanish (official) 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, and Basque 2%
note:Catalan is official in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and the Valencian Community (where it is known as Valencian)

in the northwest corner of Catalonia (Vall d’Aran), Aranese is official along with Catalan

Galician is official in Galicia

Basque is official in the Basque Country

Religions

Roman Catholic 94%, other 6%

Population

46,754,784 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27

Age structure

0-14 years: 15.1% (male 3,646,614/female 3,435,311)
15-64 years:67.7% (male 16,036,556/female 15,637,090)
65 years and over:17.1% (male 3,389,681/female 4,609,532) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 40.5 years
male:39.3 years
female:41.9 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.574% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145

Birth rate

10.66 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179

Death rate

8.8 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79

Net migration rate

3.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25

Urbanization

urban population: 77% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

MADRID (capital) 5.762 million

Barcelona 5.029 million

Valencia 812,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.065 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years:1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.72 male(s)/female
total population:0.96 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

6 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 164

Infant mortality rate

total: 3.39 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 212 male:3.74 deaths/1,000 live births
female:3.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 81.17 years
country comparison to the world: 14 male:78.16 years
female:84.37 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.47 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188

Health expenditures

9.7% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 34

Physicians density

3.705 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
country comparison to the world: 20

Hospital bed density

3.22 beds/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 66

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.4% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

130,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35

HIV/AIDS – deaths

1,600 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

15.6% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 34

Education expenditures

4.3% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 94

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:97.9%
male:98.7%
female:97.2% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 16 years
male:16 years
female:17 years (2008)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 37.9%
country comparison to the world: 9 male:39.1%
female:36.4% (2009)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Kingdom of Spain
conventional short form:Spain
local long form:Reino de Espana
local short form:Espana

Government type

parliamentary monarchy

Capital

name: Madrid
geographic coordinates:40 24 N, 3 41 W
time difference:UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:+1hr, begins last Sunday in March

ends last Sunday in October
note:Spain is divided into two time zones including the Canary Islands

Administrative divisions

17 autonomous communities (comunidades autonomas, singular – comunidad autonoma) and 2 autonomous cities* (ciudades autonomas, singular – ciudad autonoma)

Andalucia, Aragon, Asturias, Baleares (Balearic Islands), Ceuta*, Canarias (Canary Islands), Cantabria, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y Leon, Cataluna (Catalonia), Comunidad Valenciana (Valencian Community), Extremadura, Galicia, La Rioja, Madrid, Melilla*, Murcia, Navarra, Pais Vasco (Basque Country)
note:the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla plus three small islands of Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera, administered directly by the Spanish central government, are all along the coast of Morocco and are collectively referred to as Places of Sovereignty (Plazas de Soberania)

Independence

1492

the Iberian peninsula was characterized by a variety of independent kingdoms prior to the Muslim occupation that began in the early 8th century A.D. and lasted nearly seven centuries

the small Christian redoubts of the north began the reconquest almost immediately, culminating in the seizure of Granada in 1492

this event completed the unification of several kingdoms and is traditionally considered the forging of present-day Spain

National holiday

National Day, 12 October (1492)

year when Columbus first set foot in the Americas

Constitution

approved by legislature 31 October 1978

passed by referendum 6 December 1978

signed by the king 27 December 1978

Legal system

civil law system with regional variations

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: King JUAN CARLOS I (since 22 November 1975)

Heir Apparent Prince FELIPE, son of the monarch, born 30 January 1968
head of government:President of the Government (Prime Minister equivalent) Jose Luis Rodriguez ZAPATERO (since 17 April 2004)

First Vice President (and Minister of the Interior) Alfredo Perez RUBALCABA (since 20 October 2010), Second Vice President (and Minister of Economy and Finance) Elena SALGADO Mendez (since 8 April 2009), and Third Vice President (and Minister of Regional Affairs) Manuel CHAVES Gonzalez (since 8 April 2009)
cabinet:Council of Ministers designated by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )note:there is also a Council of State that is the supreme consultative organ of the government, but its recommendations are non-binding
elections:the monarchy is hereditary

following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually proposed president by the monarch and elected by the National Assembly

election last held on 9 and 11 April 2008 (next to be held in March 2012)

vice presidents appointed by the monarch on the proposal of the president
election results:Jose Luis Rodriguez ZAPATERO reelected President of the Government

percent of National Assembly vote – 46.9%

Legislative branch

bicameral

General Courts or Las Cortes Generales (National Assembly) consists of the Senate or Senado (264 seats as of 2008

208 members directly elected by popular vote and the other 56 – as of 2008 – appointed by the regional legislatures

members to serve four-year terms) and the Congress of Deputies or Congreso de los Diputados (350 seats

each of the 50 electoral provinces fills a minimum of two seats and the North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla fill one seat each with members serving a four-year term

the other 248 members are determined by proportional representation based on popular vote on block lists who serve four-year terms)
elections:Senate – last held on 9 March 2008 (next to be held by March 2012)

Congress of Deputies – last held on 9 March 2008 (next to be held by March 2012)
election results:Senate – percent of vote by party – NA

seats by party – PP 101, PSOE 88, Entesa Catalona de Progress 12, CiU 4, PNV 2, CC 1, members appointed by regional legislatures 56

Congress of Deputies – percent of vote by party – PSOE 43.6%, PP 40.1%, CiU 3.1%, PNV 1.2%, ERC 1.2%, other 10.8%

seats by party – PSOE 169, PP 154, CiU 10, PNV 6, ERC 3, other 8

note – seats by party in the Congress of Deputies as of 15 December 2009 – PSOE 169, PP 153, CiU 10, PNV 6, ERC 3, other 9

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo

Political parties and leaders

Basque Nationalist Party or PNV or EAJ [Inigo URKULLU Renteria]

Canarian Coalition or CC [Claudina MORALES Rodriquez] (a coalition of five parties)

Convergence and Union or CiU [Artur MAS i Gavarro] (a coalition of the Democratic Convergence of Catalonia or CDC [Artur MAS i Gavarro] and the Democratic Union of Catalonia or UDC [Josep Antoni DURAN i LLEIDA])

Entesa Catalonia de Progress (a Senate coalition grouping four Catalan parties – PSC, ERC, ICV, EUA)

Galician Nationalist Bloc or BNG [Guillerme VAZQUEZ Vazquez]

Initiative for Catalonia Greens or ICV [Joan SAURA i Laporta]

Navarra Yes or NaBai [collective leadership] (a coalition of four Navarran parties)

Popular Party or PP [Mariano RAJOY Brey]

Republican Left of Catalonia or ERC [Joan PUIGCERCOS i Boixassa]

Spanish Socialist Workers Party or PSOE [Jose Luis Rodriguez ZAPATERO]

Union of People of Navarra or UPN [Yolanda BARCINA Angulo]

Union, Progress and Democracy or UPyD [Rosa DIEZ Gonzalez]

United Left or IU [Cayo LARA Moya] (a coalition of parties including the Communist Party of Spain or PCE and other small parties)

Political pressure groups and leaders

Association for Victims of Terrorism or AVT (grassroots organization devoted primarily to opposing ETA terrorist attacks and supporting its victims)

Basta Ya (Spanish for “Enough is Enough”)

grassroots organization devoted primarily to opposing ETA terrorist attacks and supporting its victims)

Nunca Mais (Galician for “Never Again”

formed in response to the oil Tanker Prestige oil spill)

Socialist General Union of Workers or UGT and the smaller independent Workers Syndical Union or USO

Trade Union Confederation of Workers’ Commissions or CC.OO.
other:business and landowning interests

Catholic Church

free labor unions (authorized in April 1977)

university students

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, CBSS (observer), CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Jorge DEZCALLAR de Mazarredo
chancery:2375 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037
telephone:[1] (202) 452-0100, 728-2340
FAX:[1] (202) 833-5670
consulate(s) general:Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Alan D. SOLOMONT
embassy:Serrano 75, 28006 Madrid
mailing address:PSC 61, APO AE 09642
telephone:[34] (91) 587-2200
FAX:[34] (91) 587-2303
consulate(s) general:Barcelona

Flag description

three horizontal bands of red (top), yellow (double width), and red with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band

the coat of arms is quartered to display the emblems of the traditional kingdoms of Spain (clockwise from upper left, Castile, Leon, Navarre, and Aragon) while Granada is represented by the stylized pomegranate at the bottom of the shield

the arms are framed by two columns representing the Pillars of Hercules, which are the two promontories (Gibraltar and Ceuta) on either side of the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar

the red scroll across the two columns bears the imperial motto of “Plus Ultra” (further beyond) referring to Spanish lands beyond Europe

the triband arrangement with the center stripe twice the width of the outer dates to the 18th century
note:the red and yellow colors are related to those of the oldest Spanish kingdoms: Aragon, Castile, Leon, and Navarre

National symbol(s)

Pillars of Hercules

National anthem

name: “Himno Nacional Espanol” (National Anthem of Spain)
lyrics/music:none/unknown
note:officially in use between 1770 and 1931, restored in 1939

the Spanish anthem has no lyrics

in the years prior to 1931 it became known as “Marcha Real” (The Royal March)

it first appeared in a 1761 military bugle call book and was replaced by “Himno de Riego” in the years between 1931 and 1939

the long version of the anthem is used for the king, while the short version is used for the prince, prime minister, and occasions such as sporting events

Economy

Economy – overview

Spain’s mixed capitalist economy is the 13th largest in the world, and its per capita income roughly matches that of Germany and France. However, after almost 15 years of above average GDP growth, the Spanish economy began to slow in late 2007 and entered into a recession in the second quarter of 2008. GDP contracted by 3.7% in 2009, ending a 16-year growth trend, and by another 0.2% in 2010, making Spain the last major economy to emerge from the global recession. The reversal in Spain’s economic growth reflected a significant decline in construction amid an oversupply of housing and falling consumer spending, while exports actually have begun to grow. Government efforts to boost the economy through stimulus spending, extended unemployment benefits, and loan guarantees did not prevent a sharp rise in the unemployment rate, which rose from a low of about 8% in 2007 to 20% in 2010. The government budget deficit worsened from 3.8% of GDP in 2008 to 9.2% of GDP in 2010, more than three times the euro-zone limit. Spain’s large budget deficit and poor economic growth prospects have made it vulnerable to financial contagion from other highly-indebted euro zone members despite the government’s efforts to cut spending, privatize industries, and boost competitiveness through labor market reforms. Spanish banks’ high exposure to the collapsed domestic construction and real estate market also poses a continued risk for the sector. The government oversaw a restructuring of the savings bank sector in 2010, and provided some $15 billion in capital to various institutions. Investors remain concerned that Madrid may need to bail out more troubled banks. The Bank of Spain, however, is seeking to boost confidence in the financial sector by pressuring banks to come clean about their losses and consolidate into stronger groups.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.369 trillion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14 $1.371 trillion (2009 est.)
$1.424 trillion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.41 trillion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

-0.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190 -3.7% (2009 est.)
0.9% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$29,400 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48 $29,600 (2009 est.)
$31,000 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 3.3%
industry:26%
services:70.7% (2010 est.)

Labor force

23.09 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 4.2%
industry:24%
services:71.7% (2009 est.)

Unemployment rate

20.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166 18% (2009 est.)

Population below poverty line

19.8% (2005)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%:26.6% (2000)

Distribution of family income – Gini index

32 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 106 32.5 (1990)

Investment (gross fixed)

22.5% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82

Budget

revenues: $503.8 billion
expenditures:$634.2 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

35.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-9.3% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194

Public debt

60.1% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35 53.3% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64 -0.2% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1.75% (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 123 1.75% (31 December 2009)
note:this is the European Central Bank’s rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area

Commercial bank prime lending rate

7.223% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142 6.964% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$811.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8 $881.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
note:see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area

the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 17 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)

individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders

Stock of broad money

$2.388 trillion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7 $2.522 trillion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$3.683 trillion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8 $3.451 trillion (31 December 2008 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.172 trillion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 10 $1.297 trillion (31 December 2009)
$946.1 billion (31 December 2008)

Agriculture – products

grain, vegetables, olives, wine grapes, sugar beets, citrus

beef, pork, poultry, dairy products

fish

Industries

textiles and apparel (including footwear), food and beverages, metals and metal manufactures, chemicals, shipbuilding, automobiles, machine tools, tourism, clay and refractory products, footwear, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment

Industrial production growth rate

0.8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148

Electricity – production

275.1 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13

Electricity – consumption

267.5 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14

Electricity – exports

14.86 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

8.104 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

29,970 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70

Oil – consumption

1.441 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17

Oil – exports

240,700 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49

Oil – imports

1.584 million bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12

Oil – proved reserves

150 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63

Natural gas – production

48 million cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84

Natural gas – consumption

35.82 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26

Natural gas – exports

1.152 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36

Natural gas – imports

36.71 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10

Natural gas – proved reserves

2.548 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96

Current account balance

-$63.65 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195 -$75.31 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$253 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19 $228.7 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

machinery, motor vehicles

foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, medicines, other consumer goods

Exports – partners

France 18.7%, Germany 10.7%, Portugal 9.1%, Italy 9%, UK 6.3% (2010)

Imports

$315.3 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14 $287.7 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, semifinished goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, measuring and medical control instruments

Imports – partners

Germany 12.6%, France 11.5%, Italy 7.3%, China 6.8%, Netherlands 5.6%, UK 4.9% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$31.91 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46 $28.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$2.57 trillion (30 June 2011)
country comparison to the world: 8 $2.166 trillion (30 June 2010)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$614.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7 $634.9 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$660.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10 $648.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar -
0.755 (2010)
0.7198 (2009)
0.6827 (2008)
0.7345 (2007)
0.7964 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

154 (2010)
country comparison to the world:35

Airports – with paved runways

total: 97
over 3,047 m:18
2,438 to 3,047 m:13
1,524 to 2,437 m:18
914 to 1,523 m:24
under 914 m:24 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 57
1,524 to 2,437 m:3
914 to 1,523 m:16
under 914 m:38 (2010)

Heliports

9 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 9,359 km

oil 560 km

refined products 3,441 km (2010)

Railways

total: 15,293 km
country comparison to the world: 18 broad gauge:11,919 km 1.668-m gauge (6,950 km electrified)
standard gauge:1,392 km 1.435-m gauge (1,054 km electrified)
narrow gauge:1,954 km 1.000-m gauge (815 km electrified)

28 km 0.914-m gauge (2010)

Roadways

total: 681,298 km
country comparison to the world: 10 paved:681,298 km (includes 15,152 km of expressways) (2008)

Waterways

1,000 km (2009)
country comparison to the world: 65

Merchant marine

total: 138
country comparison to the world: 44 by type:bulk carrier 7, cargo 17, chemical tanker 12, container 8, liquefied gas 13, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 40, petroleum tanker 17, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 13, vehicle carrier 5
foreign-owned:26 (Canada 5, Denmark 2, Germany 5, Italy 1, Mexico 2, Norway 10, Switzerland 1)
registered in other countries:107 (Angola 1, Argentina 3, Bahamas 9, Belize 1, Brazil 12, Cape Verde 1, Cyprus 7, France 1, Malta 10, Nigeria 1, Panama 40, Portugal 15, Uruguay 5, Venezuela 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Algeciras, Barcelona, Bilbao, Cartagena, Huelva, Tarragona, Valencia (Spain)

Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands)

Military

Military branches

Spanish Armed Forces: Army (Ejercito de Tierra), Spanish Navy (Armada Espanola, AE

includes Marine Corps), Spanish Air Force (Ejercito del Aire Espanola, EdA) (2010)

Military service age and obligation

20 years of age (2004)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 11,759,557
females age 16-49:11,204,688 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 9,603,939
females age 16-49:9,116,928 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 217,244
female:205,278 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

1.2% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

in 2002, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to reject any “shared sovereignty” arrangement

the government of Gibraltar insists on equal participation in talks between the UK and Spain

Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant Gibraltar greater autonomy

Morocco protests Spain’s control over the coastal enclaves of Ceuta, Melilla, and the islands of Penon de Velez de la Gomera, Penon de Alhucemas, and Islas Chafarinas, and surrounding waters

both countries claim Isla Perejil (Leila Island)

Morocco serves as the primary launching site of illegal migration into Spain from North Africa

Portugal does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over the territory of Olivenza based on a difference of interpretation of the 1815 Congress of Vienna and the 1801 Treaty of Badajoz

Illicit drugs

despite rigorous law enforcement efforts, North African, Latin American, Galician, and other European traffickers take advantage of Spain’s long coastline to land large shipments of cocaine and hashish for distribution to the European market

consumer for Latin American cocaine and North African hashish

destination and minor transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin

money-laundering site for Colombian narcotics trafficking organizations and organized crime