Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

 
Central Intelligence Agency
The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence
World Factbook Title
navigation arrows
View Text Low Bandwidth Version Download Publication
Europe :: Spain
page last updated on January 29, 2013
Flag of Spain
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of Spain
Click flag or map to enlarge Opens in New Window
 
Map of Spain
Click map to enlarge Opens in New Window
Photos of Spain
 
Navigation Arrow view 58 photos Opens in New Window
of Spain
Expand All | collapse All
Introduction ::Spain
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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's major focus for the immediate future will be on measures to reverse the severe economic recession that started in mid-2008.
Back to Top
Geography ::Spain
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Southwestern Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, Bay of Biscay, and Pyrenees Mountains; southwest of France
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
40 00 N, 4 00 W
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
slightly more than twice the size of Oregon
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4,964 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm (applies only to the Atlantic Ocean)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
temperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coast
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
large, flat to dissected plateau surrounded by rugged hills; Pyrenees Mountains in north
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pico de Teide (Tenerife) on Canary Islands 3,718 m
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
coal, lignite, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, uranium, tungsten, mercury, pyrites, magnesite, fluorspar, gypsum, sepiolite, kaolin, potash, hydropower, arable land
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
arable land: 27.18%
permanent crops: 9.85%
other: 62.97% (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
38,000 sq km (2003)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
111.1 cu km (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 37.22 cu km/yr (13%/19%/68%)
per capita: 864 cu m/yr (2002)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
periodic droughts, occasional flooding
volcanism: 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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Back to Top
People and Society ::Spain
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
noun: Spaniard(s)
adjective: Spanish
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
composite of Mediterranean and Nordic types
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Roman Catholic 94%, other 6%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
47,042,984 (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0-14 years: 15.3% (male 3,698,174/ female 3,483,844)
15-64 years: 67.5% (male 16,075,243/ female 15,668,611)
65 years and over: 17.3% (male 3,444,027/ female 4,673,085) (2012 est.)
population pyramid:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 40.9 years
male: 39.7 years
female: 42.2 years (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.654% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
10.4 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
8.88 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
urban population: 77% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
MADRID (capital) 5.762 million; Barcelona 5.029 million; Valencia 812,000 (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
6 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 172
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 3.37 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 214
male: 3.71 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total population: 81.27 years
country comparison to the world: 15
male: 78.26 years
female: 84.47 years (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.48 children born/woman (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
9.7% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 34
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3.705 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3.22 beds/1,000 population (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.4% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
130,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1,600 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
15.6% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 34
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.3% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 94
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97.7%
male: 98.5%
female: 97% (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 16 years
male: 16 years
female: 17 years (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 37.9%
country comparison to the world: 9
male: 39.1%
female: 36.4% (2009)
Back to Top
Government ::Spain
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
conventional long form: Kingdom of Spain
conventional short form: Spain
local long form: Reino de Espana
local short form: Espana
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
parliamentary monarchy
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
National Day, 12 October (1492); year when Columbus first set foot in the Americas
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
approved by legislature 31 October 1978; passed by referendum 6 December 1978; signed by the king 27 December 1978
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
civil law system with regional variations
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 years of age; universal
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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) Mariano RAJOY (since 20 December 2011); Vice President (and Minister of the President's Office) Soraya Saenz de SANTAMARIA (since 22 December 2011)
cabinet: Council of Ministers designated by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
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 20 November 2011 (next to be held in November 2015); vice president appointed by the monarch on the proposal of the president
election results: Mariano RAJOY elected President of the Government; percent of vote - NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
bicameral; General Courts or Las Cortes Generales (National Assembly) consists of the Senate or Senado (266 seats as of 2011; 208 members directly elected by popular vote and the other 58 - as of 2011 - 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 20 November 2011 (next to be held by November 2015); Congress of Deputies - last held on 20 November 2011 (next to be held by November 2015)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PP 136, PSOE 48, CiU 9, EAJ/PNV 4, Amaiur 3, other 8, members appointed by regional legislatures 58; Congress of Deputies - percent of vote by party - PP 44.6%, PSOE 28.8%, CiU 4.2%, IU 6.9%, Amaiur 1.4%, UPyD 4.7%, EAJ/PNV 2.4%, other 7.1%; seats by party - PP 186, PSOE 110, CiU 16, IU 11, Amaiur 7, UPyD 5, EAJ/PNV 5, other 10
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo; Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucioanal de Espana
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Amaiur [collective leadership] (a coalition of parties advocating the peaceful Basque independence from Spain); 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 [Josep Antoni DURAN i LLEIDA] (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 HERRA i Torres]; Yes to the Future or Geroa Bai [collective leadership] (a coalition of four Navarran parties); Popular Party or PP [Mariano RAJOY Brey]; Republican Left of Catalonia or ERC [Oriol JUNQUERAS i Vies]; Spanish Socialist Workers Party or PSOE; 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)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Association for Victims of Terrorism or AVT (grassroots organization devoted primarily to supporting victims of the Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorist organization); 15-M or 15 May protest movement, which is also known as the Indignados, Spanish for the "indignant ones" (a loose association of grassroots organizations that advocate for greater accountability and transparency in Spanish politics, increased social justice and job creation); 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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, CAN (observer), CBSS (observer), CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador Ramon Gil-Casares SATRUSTEGUI
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)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Pillars of Hercules
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Back to Top
Economy ::Spain
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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 0.3% in 2010, before expanding moderately in 2011, making Spain the last major economy to emerge from the global recession. The economy, however, has once again fallen into recession as deleveraging in the private sector, fiscal consolidation, and continued high unemployment weigh on domestic demand and investment, even though exports have shown signs of resiliency. The unemployment rate rose from a low of about 8% in 2007 to roughly 25% in 2012. The economic downturn has also hurt Spain's public finances. The government budget deficit peaked at 11.2% of GDP in 2010 and the process to reduce this imbalance has been slow despite Madrid's efforts to raise new tax revenue and cut spending. Spain reduced its budget deficit to 9.4% of GDP in 2011, and roughly 6.7% of GDP in 2012, above the 6.3% target negotiated between Spain and the EU. Although Spain's large budget deficit and poor economic growth prospects remain a source of concern for foreign investors, the government's ongoing efforts to cut spending and introduce flexibility into the labor markets are intended to assuage these concerns. The government is also taking steps to shore up the banking system, namely by using up to $130 billion in EU funds to recapitalize struggling banks exposed to the collapsed domestic construction and real estate sectors.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$1.407 trillion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
$1.429 trillion (2011 est.)
$1.423 trillion (2010 est.)
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$1.34 trillion (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-1.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
0.4% (2011 est.)
-0.3% (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$30,400 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
$31,000 (2011 est.)
$30,900 (2010 est.)
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 3.3%
industry: 24.2%
services: 72.6% (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
23.14 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 4.2%
industry: 24%
services: 71.7% (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
24.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
21.7% (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
19.8% (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 26.6% (2000)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
32 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 104
32.5 (1990)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
20.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
revenues: $485.1 billion
expenditures: $584.3 billion (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
36.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-7.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
83.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
68.5% of GDP (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
3.1% (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.5% (31 December 2012)
country comparison to the world: 123
1.75% (31 December 2010)
note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
7.3% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
8.09% (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$775.2 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
$778.1 billion (31 December 2011 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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$1.969 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
$2.211 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$2.849 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
$3.152 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$1.031 trillion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 14
$1.172 trillion (31 December 2010)
$1.297 trillion (31 December 2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
grain, vegetables, olives, wine grapes, sugar beets, citrus; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-1.4% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-$18.8 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
-$52.28 billion (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$303.8 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
$309.6 billion (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
machinery, motor vehicles; foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, medicines, other consumer goods
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
France 17.8%, Germany 10.6%, Portugal 8.3%, Italy 8.3%, UK 6.7% (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$322.7 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
$364.9 billion (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, semifinished goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, measuring and medical control instruments
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Germany 13%, France 11.8%, Italy 6.7%, China 5.8%, Netherlands 5%, UK 4.5% (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$47.1 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
$31.91 billion (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$2.57 trillion (30 June 2011)
country comparison to the world: 8
$2.166 trillion (30 June 2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$663.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
$652.8 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$739.2 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
$690.4 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
euros (EUR) per US dollar -
0.7838 (2012 est.)
0.7185 (2011 est.)
755 (2010 est.)
0.7198 (2009 est.)
0.6827 (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
calendar year
Back to Top
Energy ::Spain
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
279.6 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
256.6 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
13.52 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5.169 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
96.28 million kW (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
48.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
7.6% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
13.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
24.4% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
12,090 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.046 million bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
150 million bbl (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.211 million bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.384 million bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
240,700 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
528,400 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
52 million cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
33.55 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.698 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
35.49 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.548 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
316.4 million Mt (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
Back to Top
Communications ::Spain
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
19.867 million (2011)
country comparison to the world: 14
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
52.598 million (2011)
country comparison to the world: 26
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
general assessment: well developed, modern facilities; fixed-line teledensity exceeds 40 per 100 persons
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 150 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 34; submarine cables provide connectivity to Europe, Middle East, Asia, and US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to adjacent countries
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
a mixture of both publicly-operated and privately-owned TV and radio stations; overall, hundreds of TV channels are available including national, regional, local, public, and international channels; satellite and cable TV systems available; multiple national radio networks, a large number of regional radio networks, and a larger number of local radio stations; overall, hundreds of radio stations (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
.es
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.228 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 26
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
28.119 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 14
Back to Top
Transportation ::Spain
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
152 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 36
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 98
over 3,047 m: 18
2,438 to 3,047 m: 12
1,524 to 2,437 m: 19
914 to 1,523 m: 25
under 914 m: 24 (2012)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 54
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 14
under 914 m: 38 (2012)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
10 (2012)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
gas 9,359 km; oil 560 km; refined products 3,441 km (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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 (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 681,298 km
country comparison to the world: 10
paved: 681,298 km (includes 15,152 km of expressways) (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1,000 km (2012)
country comparison to the world: 64
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 132
country comparison to the world: 44
by type: bulk carrier 7, cargo 19, chemical tanker 8, container 5, liquefied gas 12, passenger/cargo 43, petroleum tanker 18, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 9, vehicle carrier 7
foreign-owned: 27 (Canada 4, Germany 4, Italy 1, Mexico 1, Norway 10, Russia 6, Switzerland 1)
registered in other countries: 103 (Angola 1, Argentina 3, Bahamas 6, Brazil 12, Cape Verde 1, Cyprus 6, Ireland 1, Malta 8, Morocco 9, Panama 30, Peru 1, Portugal 18, Uruguay 5, Venezuela 1, unknown 1) (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Algeciras, Barcelona, Bilbao, Cartagena, Huelva, Tarragona, Valencia (Spain); Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands)
Back to Top
Military ::Spain
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Spanish Armed Forces: Army (Ejercito de Tierra), Spanish Navy (Armada Espanola, AE; includes Marine Corps), Spanish Air Force (Ejercito del Aire Espanola, EdA) (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 years of age for voluntary military service by a Spanish citizen or legal immigrant, 2-3 year obligation; women allowed to serve in all SAF branches, including combat units; Spanish Government can mobilize citizens 19-25 years of age in a national emergency; mandatory retirement of non-NCO enlisted personnel at age 45 or 58, depending on service length (2012)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 11,759,557
females age 16-49: 11,204,688 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 9,603,939
females age 16-49: 9,116,928 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
male: 217,244
female: 205,278 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.2% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Back to Top
Transnational Issues ::Spain
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Back to Top
Expand All | collapse All
  The online Factbook is updated weekly. ISSN 1553-8133
For additional information on government leaders in selected foreign countries, go to World Leaders.