1. Geography, climate and living conditions
The Kingdom of Spain occupies an area of more than 500,000 square kilometres in the southwest of Europe, and is the second largest country in the EU. The territory of Spain covers most of the Iberian Peninsula, which it shares with Portugal, and also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, the North African cities of Ceuta and Melilla and some surrounding rocky islands.
Despite the differences among the various regions of Spain, the country can be said to have a typical Mediterranean climate. The weather in the northern coastal region (looking onto the Atlantic and the Bay of Biscay) is mild and generally rainy throughout the year, with temperatures neither very low in the winter nor very high in the summer. The climate on the Mediterranean coastline, including the Balearic Islands, Ceuta and Melilla, is mild in the winter and hot and dry in the summer. The most extreme differences occur in the interior of the Peninsula, where the climate is rather dry, with cold winters and hot summers. The Canary Islands have a climate of their own, with temperatures constantly around 20 Celsius degrees and only minor variations in temperature between seasons or between day and night.
Spain has an excellent quality of life and is very open to foreigners. Around 8,000 kilometres of coastline, abundant sporting facilities and events and social opportunities are crowned by the diversity of the country's cultural heritage as a crossroads of civilizations (Celts, Romans, Visigoths, Arabs, Jews, etc.).
2. Population and human resources
The population of Spain in 2006 was 44.7 million people (according to the Municipal Register's preliminary report), with a population density of more than 88.6 inhabitants per square kilometre.
Spain is a markedly urban society (see Table 1), as evidenced by the fact that close to 33% of the population lives in the capitals of the provinces.
Spanish is the official language of the country. There are other Spanish languages that are also official in the corresponding Autonomous Communities (regions), according to their "Statutes of Autonomy". Education is compulsory until the age of 16 and English is the main foreign language studied at school.
Spain has a labor force of 20 million people, representing 58% of the country's population over 16 years old according to the Labor Force Survey (released on the third quarter 2006). Compared with other OECD countries, Spain's population is relatively young: approximately 15% is under 16 years old, 68% is between 16 and 64 years old, and only 17% is 65 and over, according to year 2006 figures. Additionally, as seen in Table 2 below, Spain has been receiving a significant inflow of immigrants in recent years that has offset the consequences of an aging population.
The structure of the labor force by economic sector has also changed significantly in recent years, with a notable increase in the number of those employed in the services sector and a decrease in the number of farm workers (see Table 3 and Chart 1).
The labor force is highly qualified, productive and capable of adapting to technological changes.
Last, in line with the European Union's commitment to fostering employment, the Government has implemented wide ranging reforms of the labor market regulations since the mid-nineties, introducing a high degree of flexibility in the use of the labor force by companies. The success of the reforms is proven by figures published in the Employment in Europe Report 2006 of the European Commission in October 20061 which show that Spain had one of the highest employment growth rates (3.6%) among the EU25 countries in 2005.
3. Political institutions
Spain is a parliamentary monarchy. The King is the Head of State 2 and his primary mission is to arbitrate and moderate the regular functioning of the country's institutions in accordance with the Constitution. He also formally ratifies the appointment or designation of the highest holders of public office in the legislative, executive and judicial branches 3.
The Constitution of 1978 enshrined the fundamental civil rights and public freedoms as well as assigning legislative power to the Cortes Generales (Parliament) 4 , executive power to the Government of the nation, and judicial powers to independent judges and magistrates.
The responsibility for enacting laws is entrusted to the Cortes Generales, comprising the Congreso de los Diputados (Lower House of Parliament) and the Senado (Senate), the members of which are elected by universal suffrage every four years.
The Cortes Generales exercise the legislative power of the nation, approve the annual State budgets, control the actions of the Government and ratify international treaties.
The Government5 is headed by the Presidente del Gobierno (President of the Government) who is elected by the Cortes Generales and is, in turn, in charge of electing the members of the Consejo de Ministros (Council of Ministers).
The members of the Council of Ministers are appointed and removed by the President of the Government at his or her discretion. For administrative purposes, Spain is organized into 17 Autonomous Communities (Regions) each of which generally comprises one or more provinces, plus the Autonomous Cities of Ceuta and Melilla in Northern Africa; the total number of provinces is 50.
Each Autonomous Community (Region) exercises the powers assigned to it by the Constitution as specified in its "Statute of Autonomy". These Statutes also stipulate the institutional organization of the Community concerned, consisting generallyof: a legislative assembly elected by universal suffrage, which enacts legislation applicable in the Community; a Government with executive and administrative functions, headed by a President elected by the Assembly, who is the Community's highest representative; and a Superior Court of Justice, in which judicial power in the Community's territory is vested. A Delegate appointed by the Central Government directs the Administration of the State in the Autonomous Community (Region), and co-ordinates it with the Community's administration.
The Autonomous Communities (Regions) are financially autonomous and also receive allocations from the general State budgets.
As a result of the structure described above Spain has become one of the most decentralized countries in Europe.
1 www.europa.eu.int/comm
2 www.casareal.es
3 www.poderjudicial.es
4 www.congreso.es
5 www.la-moncloa.es
|
