Autonomous communities of Spain

2211: 2512: 3289:, are given to the communities of common regime to manage the responsibilities they have assumed. The amount they receive is based upon several calculations which include a consideration for population, land area, administrative units, dispersal of population, relative poverty, fiscal pressure and insularity. The central government is committed to returning a specific percentage of taxes to all communities with common regime, within the differences allowed for fiscal equalization. The communities of common regime have the ability to add a surcharge to the so-called "ceded taxes"—taxes set at the central level, but collected locally—and they can lower or raise personal income taxes up to a limit. 1371: 2847:

most decentralized countries in the world also in budgetary and fiscal matters, with the base for income tax split at 50/50 between the Spanish government and the regions (something unheard of in much bigger federal states such as Germany or the United States, which retain the income tax as an exclusively or primarily federal one). Besides, each region can also decide to set its own income tax bands and its own additional rates, higher or lower than the federal rates, with the corresponding income accruing to the region which no longer has to share it with other regions. This current level of fiscal decentralisation has been regarded by economists such as

8209: 3916: 1765: 8299: 4044: 2364: 110: 1504: 8239: 3972: 3188:

differences between the distinct Statutes cannot imply economic or social privileges; however, they can be unequal with respect to the process to accede to autonomy and the concrete determination of the autonomic content of their Statute, and therefore, in their scope of powers. The autonomic regime is characterized by an equilibrium between homogeneity and diversity ... Without the former there will be no unity or integration in the state's ensemble; without the latter, there would not be true plurality and the capacity of self-government".

1564: 8254: 3990: 1164: 8179: 3832: 885: 1624: 8104: 3708: 8269: 4008: 1247: 945: 1023: 8164: 8119: 3796: 3726: 8134: 3754: 3338:, which includes representatives of the central government and of the autonomous communities, has become one of the most efficient institutions of coordination in matters of public expenditures and revenue. Through the Council several agreements of financing have been agreed, as well as limits to the communities' public debt. The Organic Law of the Financing of Autonomous Communities of 1988 requires that the communities obtain the authorization of the central Ministry of Finance to issue public debt. 3192: 2689:—and both originally included in the "pre-autonomic regime" of Castile and León—were granted autonomy as single provinces with historical identity, a move supported by the majority of their populations. The "autonomic pacts" give both Cantabria and La Rioja the option of being incorporated into Castile and León in the future, and required that the Statutes of Autonomy of all three communities include such a provision. León, a historical kingdom and historical region of Spain, once joined to 676: 8059: 3614: 3225:

justice, commercial, criminal, civil, and labour legislation, customs, general finances and state debt, public health, basic legislation, and general coordination. All autonomous communities have the power to manage their own finances in the way they see fit, and are responsible for the administration of education—school and universities—health and social services and cultural and urban development. Yet there are differences as stipulated in their Statutes and the constitution:

2123:, centralism was vigorously enforced as a way of preserving the "unity of the Spanish nation". Peripheral nationalism, along with communism and atheism, were regarded by his regime as the main threats. His attempts to fight separatism with heavy-handed but sporadic repression, and his often severe suppression of language and regional identities backfired: the demands for democracy became intertwined with demands for the recognition of a pluralistic vision of Spanish nationhood. 2562:, reached an agreement to resolve the Andalusian issue, whereby the Parliament approved an amendment to the law that regulated referendums, and used a prerogative of article 144c of the constitution, both actions which combined would allow Andalusia to take the fast route. They also agreed that no other region would take the "fast route", but that all regions would establish a parliamentary system with all institutions of government. This opened a phase that was dubbed as 2345:) during a provisional period of 5 years, after which they could assume further powers, upon negotiation with the central government. However, the constitution did not explicitly establish an institutional framework for these communities. They could have established a parliamentary system like the "historical nationalities", or they could have not assumed any legislative powers and simply established mechanisms for the administration of the powers they were granted. 2769:

communities have chosen to identify themselves as "nationalities". In fact, it has been argued that the establishment of the State of Autonomies "has led to the creation of "new regional identities", and "invented communities". Many in Galicia, the Basque Country, and Catalonia view their communities as "nations", not just "nationalities", and Spain as a "plurinational state" or a "nation of nations", and they have made demands for further devolution or secession.

2819: 3347: 1697: 8284: 4026: 2742:

Switzerland, the United States and Austria). By means of the State of Autonomies implemented after the Spanish Constitution of 1978, Spain has been quoted to be "remarkable for the extent of the powers peacefully devolved over the past 30 years" and "an extraordinarily decentralized country", with the central government accounting for just 18% of public spending, 38% by the regional governments, 13% by the local councils, and the remaining 31% by the

1307: 1104: 8194: 8149: 3884: 3778: 1976: 813: 8089: 3690: 1968: 1444: 8348: 8224: 3940: 740: 8074: 3662: 2290: 1922: 1914: 8335: 2591: 2046: 8316: 4934: 321: 2725:

possibility. This has been evidenced in the 2000s, at the beginning with a wave of approval of new Statutes of Autonomy for many communities, and more recently with many considering the recentralization of some powers in the wake of the economic and financial crisis of 2008. Nonetheless, Spain is now a decentralized country with a structure unlike any other, similar but not equal to a

3135:; all members of regional parliaments are elected for four-year terms, but the president of the community has the faculty to dissolve the legislature and call for early elections. Nonetheless, in all communities except for the Basque Country, Catalonia, Galicia, and Andalusia elections are held the last Sunday of May every four years, concurrent with municipal elections in all Spain. 3113: 2828: 3036:, autonomy but not sovereignty of the communities, and solidarity among them all. The structure of the autonomous communities is determined both by the devolution allowed by the constitution and the powers assumed in their respective Statutes of Autonomy. While the autonomic agreements and other laws have allowed for an "equalization" of all communities, differences still remain. 2503:) can raise their own taxes and negotiate a transfer to Madrid to pay for common services and hence, unlike the other regions, do not contribute to fiscal equalisation across Spain. These two regions or communities are known as "chartered" territories, In all other communities, all taxes are levied and collected by or for the central government and then redistributed among all. 2058:

homogenization or amalgamation. The constituent territories—be they crowns, kingdoms, principalities or dominions—retained much of their former institutional existence, including limited legislative, judicial or fiscal autonomy. These territories also exhibited a variety of local customs, laws, languages and currencies until the mid 19th century.

2492:, Spanish exclaves located on the northern coast of Africa, could be constituted as "autonomous communities" if the absolute majority of the members of their city councils would agree on such a motion, and with the approval of the Spanish Parliament, which would exercise its prerogatives to grant autonomy to other entities besides provinces. 3331:

35% of all public expenditure in Spain, a percentage that is even higher than that of states within a federation. With no legal constraints to balance budgets, and since the central government retains control over fiscal revenue in the communities of common regime, these are in a way encouraged to build up debt.

3297:" or "foral regime". Through their "chartered regime", these communities are allowed to levy and collect all so-called "contracted taxes", including income tax and corporate tax, and they have much more flexibility to lower or raise them. This "chartered" or "foral" contract entails true financial autonomy. 3370:

Spanish legislation, most notably in the Statutes of Autonomy of the bilingual communities, use the term "own language", or "language proper to a community", to refer to a language other than Spanish that originated or had historical roots in that particular territory. The Statutes of Autonomy of the

3273:

How the communities are financed has been one of the most contentious aspects in their relationship with the central government. The constitution gave all communities significant control over spending, but the central government retained effective control of their revenue supply. That is, the central

3166:

The two autonomous cities have more limited powers than autonomous communities, but more than other municipalities. The executive is exercised by a president, who is also the mayor of the city. In the same way, limited legislative power is vested in a local assembly in which the deputies are also the

2851:

as troublesome since, in his view, "challenges the very idea of solidarity within the country and comes down to playing the regions against each other, which is particularly problematic when the issue is one of income tax as this is supposed to enable the reduction of inequalities between the richest

2238:

a process towards a decentralized structure based on the exercise that these "nationalities and regions" would make of the right to self-government that they were granted. As such, the outcome of this exercise was not predictable and its construction was deliberately open-ended; the constitution only

2169:

and a pluralistic view of Spain as a "nation of nations"; between a uniform decentralization of entities with the same powers and an asymmetrical structure that would distinguish the nationalities. Peripheral nationalist parties wanted a multinational state with a federal or confederal model, whereas

2157:

in exile. They agreed to restore the Generalitat and transfer limited powers while the constitution was still being written. Shortly after, the government allowed the creation of "assemblies of members of parliament" made up of deputies and senators of the different territories of Spain, so that they

3187:

in its ruling of 5 August 1983, the autonomous communities are characterized by their "homogeneity and diversity...equal in their subordination to the constitutional order, in the principles of their representation in the Senate, in their legitimation before the Constitutional Court, and in that the

4075:

The powers of the autonomous communities are not homogeneous. Broadly the powers are divided into "Exclusive", "Shared", and "Executive" ("partial"). In some cases, the autonomous community may have exclusive responsibility for the administration of a policy area but may only have executive (i. e.,

3330:

As more responsibilities have been assumed by the autonomous communities in areas such as social welfare, health, and education, public expenditure patterns have seen a shift from the central government towards the communities since the 1980s. In the late 2000s, autonomous communities accounted for

3215:

This expression refers to the idea that some communities have particular traits, with respect to Spain as a whole. In practice these traits are a native "language proper to their own territories" separate from Spanish, a particular financial regime or special civil rights expressed in a code, which

3138:

The names of the Council of Government and the Legislative Assembly vary between communities. In some autonomous communities, these institutions are restored historical bodies of government or representation of the previous kingdoms or regional entities within the Spanish Crown—like the Generalitat

3070:

is required before it can be sanctioned by the Parliament. The Statutes of Autonomy must contain, at least, the name of the community, its territorial limits, the names, organization and seat of the institutions of government, the powers they assume and the principles for their bilingual policy, if

2903:

the autonomous state appears to have come full circle, with reproaches from all sides. According to some, it has not gone far enough and has failed to satisfy their aspirations for improved self-government. For others it has gone too far, fostering inefficiency or reprehensible linguistic policies.

2864:

that started in 2008 produced different reactions in the different communities. On one hand, some began to consider a return of some responsibilities to the central government while, on the other hand, in Catalonia debate on the fiscal deficit—"Catalonia being one of the largest net contributors in

2336:

The "slow route" or "slow track", also called the "norm", was established in article 143. This route could be taken—via the first transitory disposition—by the "pre-autonomic regimes" that had been constituted in 1978, while the constitution was still being drafted, if approved by two-thirds of all

3358:

The preamble to the constitution explicitly stated that it is the nation's will to protect "all Spaniards and the peoples of Spain in the exercise of human rights, their cultures and traditions, languages and institutions". This is a significant recognition not only in that it differed drastically

3281:

This financial scheme is known as the "common regime". In essence, fiscal equalization implies that richer communities become net contributors to the system, while poorer communities become net recipients. The two largest net contributors to the system are the Balearic Islands and the Community of

3150:

Given the ambiguity in the constitution that did not specify which territories were nationalities and which were regions, other territories, besides the implicit three "historical nationalities", have also chosen to identify themselves as nationalities, in accordance with their historical regional

2846:

A particularly contentious point – especially in Catalonia – has been the one of fiscal tensions, with Catalan nationalists intensifying their demand for further financing during the 2010s. In this regard, the new rules for fiscal decentralisation in force since 2011 already make Spain one of the

2724:

The creation of the autonomous communities was a diverse process, that started with the constitution, was normalized with the autonomic pacts and was completed with the Statutes of Autonomy. It is, however, an ongoing process; further devolution—or even the return of transferred powers—is always a

2696:

During the second half of the 1980s, the central government seemed reluctant to transfer all powers to the "slow route" communities. After the five years set up by the constitution, all "slow route" communities demanded the maximum transfer guaranteed by the constitution. This led to what has been

2185:

In the end, the constitution, published and ratified in 1978, found a balance in recognizing the existence of "nationalities and regions" in Spain, within the "indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation". In order to manage the tensions present in the Spanish transition to democracy, the drafters of

557:

The Spanish model is generally considered by foreign political scientists and scholars as "a federal system with certain peculiarities". However it is also described as a decentralised unitary country. While sovereignty is vested in the nation as a whole, represented in the central institutions of

3003:

pleads for the establishment of the autonomous community of León separating the provinces of León, Zamora and Salamanca (or in a restricted sense, just the province of León) from the rest of the provinces of the autonomous community of Castile and León, pursuant to the configuration of the former

2681:

Special provisions were made for the Valencian Community and the Canary Islands in that, although they took the "slow route", through the subsequent approval of specific organic laws, they were to assume full autonomy in less than 5 years, since they had started a process towards the "fast route"

2479:

Once the autonomous communities were created, Article 145 prohibits the "federation of autonomous communities". This was understood as any agreement between communities that would produce an alteration to the political and territorial equilibrium that would cause a confrontation between different

3366:

Article 3 of the constitution ends up declaring that the "richness of the distinct linguistic modalities of Spain represents a patrimony which will be the object of special respect and protection". Spanish remains the only official language of the State; other languages are only co-official with

3224:

The powers to be exercised can be divided into three groups: exclusive to the State or central government, shared powers, and devolved powers exclusive to the communities. Article 149 states which powers are exclusive to the central government: international relations, defense, administration of

2057:

Spain is a diverse country made up of several different regions with varying economic and social structures, as well as different languages and historical, political and cultural traditions. While the entire Spanish territory was united under one crown in 1479, this was not a process of national

585:

The official names of the autonomous communities can be in Spanish only (which applies to the majority of them), in the co-official language in the community only (as in the Valencian Community and the Balearic Islands), or in both Spanish and the co-official language (as in the Basque Country,

6105:

Pérez Royo, Javier (December 1999). "Desarrollo y Evolución del Estado Autonómico: El Proceso Constituyente y el Consenso Constitucional" [Development and Evolution of the Autonomous State: The Constituent Process and the Constitutional Consensus]. In Hernández Lafuente, Adolfo (ed.).

3074:

The constitution establishes that all powers not explicitly assumed by the State (the central government) in the constitution, can be assumed by the autonomous community in their Statutes of Autonomy; but also, all powers not explicitly assumed by the autonomous community in their Statutes of

2768:

Peripheral nationalism continues to play a key role in Spanish politics. Some peripheral nationalists view that there is a vanishing practical distinction between the terms "nationalities" and "regions", as more powers are transferred to all communities in roughly the same degree and as other

2741:

to being one of the most decentralized; in particular, it has been the country where the incomes and outcomes of the decentralized bodies (the Autonomous Communities) has grown the most, leading this rank in Europe by 2015 and being fifth among OECD countries in tax devolution (after Canada,

2233:

The constitution was rather ambiguous on how this was to take place. It does not define, detail, or impose the structure of the state; it does not tell the difference between "nation" and "nationality"; and it does not specify which are the "nationalities" and which are the "regions", or the

2895:

On Friday 27 October 2017 the Catalan Parliament voted on the independence of Catalonia; the result was 70 in favor, 10 against, 2 neither, with 53 representatives not present in protest. In the following days, the members of the Catalan government either fled or were imprisoned.

2531:(UCD), was that only the three "historical nationalities" would assume full powers, while the rest would accede to autonomy via article 143, assuming fewer powers and perhaps not even establishing institutions of government. This was firmly opposed by the representatives of 2222:

The Constitution is based on the indissoluble unity of the Spanish Nation, the common and indivisible homeland of all Spaniards; it recognizes and guarantees the right to self-government of the nationalities and regions of which it is composed and the solidarity among them

3098:

A Council of Government, with executive and administrative powers, headed by a prime minister, whose official title is "president", elected by the Legislative Assembly—usually the leader of the party or coalition with a majority in the Assembly—and nominated by the

2333:, demanding self-government as well, which led to the creation of a quicker process for that region, which eventually self-identified as a "historical nationality" as well. In the end, the right to self-government was extended to any other region that wanted it. 2538:

After a massive rally in support of autonomy, a referendum was organized for Andalusia to attain autonomy through the strict requirements of article 151, or the "fast route"—with UCD calling for abstention, and the main party in opposition in Parliament, the

3322:, an "economic treaty". Since they collect all taxes themselves and only send a prearranged amount to the central government for the powers exclusive to the State, they do not participate in "fiscal equalization", in that they do not receive any money back. 3142:

In some, both the executive and the legislature, though constituting two separate institutions, are collectively identified with a single specific name. A specific denomination may not refer to the same branch of government in all communities; for example,

2186:

the current Spanish constitution avoided giving labels such as 'federal' to the territorial arrangements, while enshrining in the constitution the right to autonomy or self-government of the "nationalities and regions", through a process of asymmetric

11758: 8418: 3050:

The Statute of Autonomy is the basic institutional law of the autonomous community or city, recognized by the Spanish constitution in article 147. It is approved by a parliamentary assembly representing the community, and then approved by the

2483:

The so-called "additional" and "transitory" dispositions of the constitution allowed for some exceptions to the above-mentioned framework. In terms of territorial organization, the fifth transitory disposition established that the cities of

2322:(1931–1936). Otherwise, the constitution required the approval of three-fourths of the municipalities involved whose population would be at least the majority of the electoral census of each province, and required the ratification through a 2399:

in Spanish), in which they agreed to the creation of 17 autonomous communities and two autonomous cities, with the same institutions of government, but different competences. By 1983, all 17 autonomous communities were constituted:

2255:

that integrated the provinces). These provinces would serve as the building blocks and constituent parts of the autonomous communities. The constitution stipulated that the following could be constituted as autonomous communities:

3359:

from the restrictive linguistic policies during the Franco era, but also because part of the distinctiveness of the "historical nationalities" lies on their own regional languages. The nation is thus openly multilingual, in which

7669: 3292:

The Basque Country and Navarre were granted an exception in the fiscal and financial system through the first additional disposition of the constitution that recognizes their historical "charters" —hence they are known as

3207:

The asymmetrical devolution is a unique characteristic of the territorial structure of Spain, in that the autonomous communities have a different range of devolved powers. These were based on what has been called in Spanish as

2753:

in Spain were employed by the autonomous communities; city and provincial councils accounted for 23.6% and those employees working for the central administration (police and military included) represented 22.2% of the total.

3220:

of their distinct political and historical personality are constitutionally and statutorily (i. e., in their Statutes of Autonomy) recognized in the exceptions granted to some of them and the additional powers they assume.

2713:. Through these agreements new powers were transferred, with the reforms to many Statutes of Autonomy of the "slow-route" communities with the aim of equalizing them to the "fast route" communities. In 1995, the cities of 11751: 8411: 2602:

Andalusia, and the three "historical nationalities"—the Basque Country, Catalonia and Galicia—took the "fast-route" and immediately assumed the maximum set of powers allowed in the constitution; the rest took the "slow

2305:

The constitution also established two "routes" to accede to autonomy. The "fast route" or "fast track", also called the "exception", was established in article 151, and was implicitly reserved for the three "historical

5954:

Portero Molina, José Antonio (2005). "El Estado de las Autonomías en Tiempo de Reformas" [The State of the Autonomies in the time of reforms]. In Vidal Beltrán, José María; García Herrera, Miguel Ángel (eds.).

2138:(the Spanish Parliament) in 1977 acting as a Constituent Assembly was to transition from a unitary centralized state into a decentralized state in a way that would satisfy the demands of the peripheral nationalists. 2080:

Spanish history since the late 19th century has been shaped by a dialectical struggle between Spanish nationalism and peripheral nationalisms, mostly in Catalonia and the Basque Country, and to a lesser degree in

6990: 11744: 8404: 2729:, even though in many respects the country can be compared to countries which are undeniably federal. The unique resulting system is referred to as "Autonomous state", or more precisely "State of Autonomies". 2246:

In order to exercise this right, the constitution established an open process whereby the "nationalities and regions" could be constituted as "autonomous communities". First, it recognized the pre-existing 50

2274:

authorize, in the nation's interest, the constitution of an autonomous community even if it was a single province without a historical regional identity (which allowed for example, the creation of the

3255:

The Canary Islands have a special financial regime in virtue of its location as an overseas territories, while the Basque Country and Navarre have a distinct financial regime called "chartered regime"

3363:—that is, Spanish—is the official language in all territories, but the "other Spanish languages" can also be official in their respective communities, in accordance with their Statutes of Autonomy. 2100:, Catalonia's mediaeval institution of government, was restored. The constitution of 1931 envisaged a territorial division for all Spain in "autonomous regions", which was never fully attained—only 3335: 3399:

by 7% of all Spaniards. A 2016 Basque Government census revealed 700,000 fluent speakers in Spain (51,000 in Basque counties in France) and 1,185.000 total when passive speakers are included.

2165:

had to strike a balance between the opposing views of Spain—on the one hand, the centralist view inherited from monarchist and nationalist elements of Spanish society, and on the other hand

2337:

municipalities involved whose population would sum up to at least the majority of the electoral census of each province or insular territory. These communities would assume limited powers (

3183:) devolved to the 17 autonomous communities, within the limits of the constitution and the differences guaranteed by it. This has led to an "asymmetrical homogeneity". In the words of the 2869:, then Catalonia's president, requested from the central government a new "fiscal agreement", with the possibility of giving his community powers of fiscal autonomy equal to those of the 2318:, regions with strong regional identities—in that the very strict requirements to opt for this route were waived for those territories that had approved a "Statute of Autonomy" during the 7677: 2997:

is part of the autonomous community of Cantabria but surrounded by Biscay, in the Basque autonomous community. Lately local support for integration in the Basque Country has diminished.

2547:, votes in favour — although the plurality — did not amount to half of the electoral census as required. Yet, in general, the results of the referendum had been clear and unequivocal. 4977: 4967: 9531: 4972: 3127:

The majority of the communities have approved regional electoral laws within the limits set up by the laws for the entire country. Despite minor differences, all communities use

9289: 7643: 6580:

García Ruíz, José Luis (2006). "Dos siglos de cuestión territorial: de la España liberal al Estado de las autonomías". In García Ruíz, José Luis; Girón Reguera, Emilia (eds.).

2990:

in which the Castilian-Leonese government support the status quo and the Basque Government and much of the local population support integration in Álava and the Basque Country.

2957: 992: 2360:

or "council of government", a president of such a council, elected by the Assembly, and a High Court of Justice. They were also granted a maximum level of devolved powers.

3075:

Autonomy are automatically assumed by the State. In case of conflict, the constitution prevails. In case of disagreement, any administration can bring the case before the

2285:

authorize or grant autonomy to entities or territories that were not provinces (which allowed for the creation of two autonomous cities, Spanish exclaves in North Africa).

11719: 9536: 8026: 3258:

The Balearic Islands, the Basque Country, Catalonia, Galicia, Navarre, and the Valencian Community have a co-official language and therefore a distinct linguistic regime

2527:

The Statutes of Autonomy of the Basque Country and Catalonia were sanctioned by the Spanish Parliament on 18 December 1979. The position of the party in government, the

7705:

Arbós Marín, Xavier (2013). "The Federal Option and Constitutional Management of Diversity in Spain". In López-Basaguren, Alberto; Escajedo San Epifanio, Leire (eds.).

6994: 9943: 6754: 2329:

While the constitution was still being drafted, and self-government seemed likely to be granted only to the "historical nationalities", there was a popular outcry in

2326:

with the affirmative vote of the absolute majority of the electoral census of each province (that is, of all registered citizens, not only of those who would vote).

12132: 3387:

to be the language proper to Galicia. There are other protected regional languages in other autonomous communities. As a percentage of total population in Spain,

9541: 2392: 7410: 11699: 9218: 7883: 2787:, whereby the Basque Country would approve a new Statute of Autonomy containing key provisions such as shared sovereignty with Spain, full independence of the 6492:

Rebollo, Luis Martín (2005). "Consideraciones sobre la Reforma de los Estatutos de Autonomía de las Comunidades Autónomas". In Ministerio de Justicia (ed.).

3032:

The State of Autonomies, as established in Article 2 of the constitution, has been argued to be based on four principles: willingness to accede to autonomy,

2799:, defense, and monetary policy. The plan was rejected by the Spanish Parliament in 2005 and the situation has remained largely stable in that front so far. 6039: 3367:

Spanish in the communities that have so regulated. In addition, knowledge of the Spanish language was declared a right and an obligation of all Spaniards.

2877:

refused. Mas dissolved the Catalan Parliament, called for new elections, and promised to conduct a referendum on independence within the next four years.

7140: 2986:) is part of the province of Burgos (in the autonomous community of Castile and León) but is surrounded by Álava (Basque autonomous community). There is 2721:

were constituted as "autonomous cities" without legislative powers, but with an autonomous assembly not subordinated to any other province or community.

6728: 3147:

may refer to the executive office in some communities, to the legislature in others, or to the collective name of all branches of government in others.

11819: 9775: 8479: 3274:

government is still charge of levying and collecting most taxes, which it then redistributes to the autonomous communities with the aim of producing "

5002: 2577:

They described the final outline of the territorial division of Spain, with the specific number and name of the autonomous communities to be created.

4962: 3379:

the language proper to Catalonia, the Balearic Islands and the Valencian Community—where it is historically, traditionally and officially known as

2251:, a territorial division of the liberal centralizing regime of the 19th century created for purely administrative purposes (it also recognized the 2031: 10307: 7092: 6408: 8019: 6689: 2660:, as a single province, acceded to autonomy through the recognition, update and improvement of its historical and local "law" (charters; Spanish 528:) for each community; typically those communities with stronger local nationalism have more powers, and this type of devolution has been called 12029: 9936: 9353: 9283: 8689: 7243: 5007: 2101: 11869: 11824: 10357: 9770: 8529: 8484: 2880:

Rajoy's government declared that they would use all "legal instruments"—current legislation requires the central executive government or the

841: 6204: 12137: 9689: 8784: 1794: 1593: 7327: 2243:, but it was voluntary in nature: the "nationalities and regions" themselves had the option of choosing to attain self-government or not. 12127: 12082: 11894: 11714: 8742: 8554: 6306: 5539: 2210: 9966: 8012: 6070: 594:—is also a co-official language in Catalonia, making it the only autonomous community whose name has three official variants (Spanish: 17: 7304: 7038: 5654:

Ruíz-Huerta Carbonell, Jesús; Herrero Alcalde, Ana (2008). "Fiscal Equalization in Spain". In Bosch, Núria; Durán, José María (eds.).

577:

model. Some scholars have referred to the resulting system as a federal system in all but name, or a "federation without federalism".

12066: 11088: 9929: 9832: 8726: 7805: 7655: 6467: 6441: 5509: 4997: 4076:

carries out) powers as far as the policy itself is concerned, meaning it must enforce policy and laws decided at the national level.

3023:

in the autonomous community of Andalusia to become a standalone autonomous community, citing the special case of bordering Gibraltar.

2625:

acceded to autonomy as communities integrated by two or more provinces with common historical, economic and cultural characteristics.

2570:, "coffee for all". This agreement was eventually put into writing in July 1981 in what has been called the "first autonomic pacts". 1653: 1276: 914: 623: 7325: 12112: 12071: 8731: 2069:

advocated for the building of a Spanish nation beyond the internal territorial boundaries. This culminated in 1833, when Spain was

7595: 1203: 552: 12122: 12040: 9807: 8700: 6770: 4987: 1065: 11809: 10994: 9558: 9082: 8469: 2528: 2171: 6555: 6021: 5730: 5703: 5616: 2671:), to which it previously belonged, and constituted as a single-province autonomous community in the "national interest", the 2495:

However one aspect of this asymmetry in powers between regions is a cause of friction, namely that the Basque-speaking areas (

12147: 9827: 8124: 7945: 7794: 7728: 7208: 6503: 6307:"Título VIII. De la Organización Territorial del Estado. Capítulo tercero. De las Comunidades Autónomas. Artículos 143 a 158" 6269: 4952: 3731: 3461: 2496: 2417: 2311: 951: 191: 7352: 2580:

They restricted the "fast-route" to the "historical nationalities" and Andalusia; all the rest had to take the "slow-route".

11969: 11208: 10246: 8629: 7742: 6965: 6752: 6335: 5993: 10937: 6912: 6556:"Acuerdos Autonómicos firmados por el Gobierno de la Nación y el Partido Socialista Obrero Español el 31 de julio de 1981" 2962: 2737:

With the implementation of the Autonomous Communities, Spain went from being one of the most centralized countries in the

12024: 11934: 11799: 11213: 10641: 10145: 9195: 8684: 8594: 8459: 7959: 3360: 2540: 2179: 833: 8385: 7414: 1120: 11909: 11140: 9480: 8999: 8569: 7914: 7184: 6591: 6169: 6121: 5968: 5866: 5580: 4947: 3768: 2070: 2035: 909: 509:

The autonomous communities exercise their right to self-government within the limits set forth in the constitution and

496: 308: 7353:"Un Primer Análisis Cuantitativo de la Organización Territorial de las Tareas de Gobierno en España, Alemania y Suiza" 2884:

to call for or sanction a binding referendum— to block any such attempt. The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party and its

2654:

acceded to autonomy as single provinces with historical identity (also called "uniprovincial" autonomous communities).

11954: 11026: 10974: 10883: 9568: 8614: 6394: 5665: 2583:

They established that all autonomous communities would have institutions of government within a parliamentary system.

2218:

The starting point in the territorial organization of Spain was the second article of the constitution, which reads:

1340: 1327: 31: 5926: 3285:

Central government funding is the main source of revenue for the communities of "common regime". Redistribution, or

3252:, respectively; other communities have them too, but not fully developed (adscribed to the Spanish National Police) 11163: 11103: 11063: 10969: 10947: 10731: 10386: 10381: 10052: 9321: 9160: 8777: 7065: 6991:"Two thirds of the Catalan Parliament approve organising a self-determination citizen vote within the next 4 years" 6704: 6241: 5150:

The Catalan dialect spoken in the Valencian Community is historically, traditionally and officially referred to as

2888:

proposed to reopen the debate on the territorial organization of Spain, changing the constitution to create a true

2555: 1400: 1271: 1056: 6151: 3059:, the Spanish Parliament, through an "Organic Law", requiring the favourable vote of the absolute majority of the 502:

There are 17 autonomous communities and two autonomous cities (Ceuta and Melilla) that are collectively known as "

11914: 11228: 10989: 9583: 9348: 9343: 9316: 9185: 8574: 3294: 3268: 2870: 2127: 7383: 6046: 2511: 12117: 11670: 11223: 10472: 10403: 6826: 6664: 4957: 3016: 2942: 2763: 2348:

The constitution also explicitly established that the institutional framework for these communities would be a

1190: 1133: 709: 8889: 3632: 2693:

to form Castile and León, was denied secession to be constituted as an autonomous community on its own right.

2573:

These "autonomic pacts" filled in the gap left by the open character of the constitution. Among other things:

2379:

While the constitution did not establish how many autonomous communities were to be created, on 31 July 1981,

11844: 11736: 11522: 10597: 9598: 9416: 9190: 8504: 8396: 6718: 5166:

The Basque provinces and Navarre are officially known as "historical territories" or "chartered territories".

3184: 3076: 2808: 1533: 846: 566: 2480:

blocks of communities, an action incompatible with the principle of solidarity and the unity of the nation.

1198: 12061: 11984: 11949: 11944: 11340: 11147: 10959: 10497: 10374: 10213: 9521: 9485: 9311: 8721: 8644: 8609: 8604: 7216: 6277: 6001: 5624: 5137:

In the Statute of Autonomy of Castile and León, the Astur-Leonese dialect spoken therein is referred to as

4992: 3574: 3060: 2918: 2914: 2885: 2881: 2710: 2205: 2199: 2175: 1997: 1473: 488: 7326:

Ministerio de Hacienda y Administraciones Públicas (Ministry of the Treasury and Public Administrations).

12092:

Considered European for cultural, political and historical reasons but is geographically in Western Asia.

11083: 10828: 9588: 9112: 8770: 8752:

Considered European for cultural, political and historical reasons but is geographically in Western Asia.

7444: 3128: 3092: 2778: 2162: 1648: 1073: 769: 8929: 3644: 3553: 3300:

Since they collect almost all taxes, they send to the central government a pre-arranged amount known as

2543:(PSOE) calling for a vote in favour. These requirements were not met, as in one of the eight provinces, 11999: 11979: 11198: 10709: 10297: 9448: 9145: 9075: 8659: 8639: 8324: 6681: 6415: 5763:

Shabad, Goldie; Gunther, Richard (July 1982). "Language, Nationalism and Political Conflict in Spain".

5012: 3814: 2953: 1943: 1726: 7991: 7670:"EL MODELO DE FINANCIACIÓN DE LAS COMUNIDADES AUTÓNOMAS DE RÉGIMEN COMÚN. Liquidación definitiva 2009" 2987: 2892:

to "better reflect the singularities" of Catalonia, as well as to modify the current taxation system.

12142: 11804: 11398: 11370: 11188: 10952: 10704: 10317: 9842: 9622: 9548: 9294: 9238: 9233: 8464: 6855: 6639: 3580: 2706: 2089: 696: 9921: 7250: 6526: 2667:

The province of Madrid, home to the national capital, was removed from Castilla-La Mancha (formerly

11403: 11168: 10509: 10186: 9817: 9463: 9338: 9135: 6154:(2000). "The awakening of peripheral nationalisms and the State of the Autonomous Communities". In 2154: 2097: 988: 975: 8879: 7017:"Ley Orgánica 2/1980, de 18 de enero, sobre Regulación de las Distintas Modalidades de Referéndum" 4058: 2983: 11929: 11768: 11011: 10871: 10849: 10614: 10206: 9953: 9578: 9436: 9175: 8909: 8884: 8589: 8428: 6890: 6215: 6155: 3818: 3810: 3592: 3435: 3230: 3091:

A Legislative Assembly, whose members are elected by universal suffrage according to a system of

3087:

All autonomous communities have a parliamentary system based on a division of powers comprising:

2796: 2384: 2368: 2319: 2252: 2142: 2093: 1395: 1335: 1128: 1044: 850: 704: 460: 11450: 8804: 6071:

Devolution and Democracy: Identity, Preferences, and Voting in the Spanish "State of Autonomies"

3950: 1640: 1263: 12014: 11964: 11527: 11363: 11358: 10888: 10726: 10626: 10362: 10282: 9516: 9165: 9155: 9039: 8984: 8934: 8674: 8624: 8169: 7747: 7141:"El 'procés' de La Línea de la Concepción para independizarse de Andalucía muere en el Supremo" 7126: 7016: 3962: 3870: 3801: 3764: 3106: 2934: 1897: 1528: 1455: 1253: 1069: 1039: 658: 543:. All such governments have legislative and executive branches of government but not judicial. 153: 9359: 8864: 8824: 8365: 6409:"La Prohibición de la Federación entre Territorios Autónomos en el Constitucionalismo Español" 3930: 3624: 3318: 2922: 2544: 2363: 12051: 11924: 11919: 11904: 11829: 11623: 10859: 10543: 10527: 10487: 10477: 10312: 10176: 10158: 10004: 9855: 9812: 9709: 9669: 9644: 9453: 9401: 9068: 9019: 8994: 8849: 8711: 8584: 8579: 8564: 8489: 7986: 7708:

The Ways of Federalism in Western Countries and the Horizons of Territorial Autonomy in Spain

3906: 3894: 3858: 2968: 2946: 2702: 2433: 2380: 2279: 2260:

Two or more adjacent provinces with common historical, cultural and economic characteristics.

2066: 1798: 1721: 1657: 1468: 1404: 1207: 773: 492: 336: 8959: 7651: 3648: 3019:

has asked for permission to call a referendum on the secession of the municipality from the

2979: 2586:

They set up a deadline for all the remaining communities to be constituted: 1 February 1983.

2535:, who demanded for their region the maximum level of powers granted to the "nationalities". 2270:

It also allowed for exceptions to the above criteria, in that the Spanish Parliament could:

11590: 10482: 10042: 9742: 9674: 9664: 9511: 9470: 9458: 9125: 9049: 9034: 8979: 8819: 8814: 7820: 7629: 6339: 4062: 4054: 3854: 3806: 3680: 3245: 3012: 2357: 2349: 2062: 109: 8869: 8834: 7706: 7436: 3842: 3628: 3278:". This applies to all communities, with the exception of the Basque Country and Navarre. 3020: 1986: 1580: 8: 12056: 12019: 11994: 11989: 11974: 11884: 11854: 11839: 11834: 11794: 11789: 11598: 11435: 11093: 11021: 10716: 10674: 10562: 10492: 10467: 10254: 10201: 10014: 10009: 9792: 9679: 9659: 9649: 9431: 9406: 9170: 9009: 9004: 8974: 8954: 8904: 8839: 8716: 8679: 8654: 8649: 8634: 8544: 8514: 8499: 8494: 8454: 8449: 8304: 8259: 7565: 4355: 4049: 3995: 3958: 3926: 3862: 3652: 3636: 3497: 3282:

Madrid, in percentage terms, or the Community of Madrid and Catalonia in absolute terms.

3275: 3160: 3045: 2994: 2967:

provide a pathway for the integration of Navarre in the Basque autonomous community. The

2938: 2926: 2673: 2668: 2622: 2516: 2465: 2441: 2275: 2105: 1992: 1771: 1570: 536: 514: 510: 146: 124: 11939: 8939: 8599: 8184: 7824: 5657:

Fiscal Federalism and Political Decentralization: Lessons from Spain, Germany and Canada

3850: 3837: 3445: 2614: 2429: 2065:

and the government tried to establish a more centralized regime. Leading figures of the

1932: 1520: 1170: 413: 174: 12009: 11959: 11889: 11859: 11849: 11814: 11709: 11430: 11418: 11353: 11348: 11068: 10854: 10738: 10621: 10504: 10437: 10329: 10287: 10127: 9787: 9782: 9684: 9654: 9603: 9443: 9426: 9365: 9262: 9228: 9120: 9044: 9029: 9024: 8944: 8924: 8919: 8899: 8894: 8859: 8793: 8669: 8619: 8549: 8519: 8509: 8474: 8380: 7852: 7607: 7535: 7505: 7475: 5780: 5151: 3902: 3898: 3874: 3846: 3822: 3676: 3672: 3640: 3588: 3419: 3380: 3033: 2929:, some forces have campaigned for the redistribution of territories among communities: 2792: 2610: 2353: 2248: 2074: 1588: 1061: 1048: 829: 692: 455: 86: 8315: 7276:"How much is enough? Devolution has been good for Spain, but it may have gone too far" 2975: 2698: 2697:

called the "second autonomic pacts" of 1992, between the then prime minister of Spain

2565: 2559: 2388: 1387: 11879: 11874: 11864: 11472: 11460: 11108: 11098: 10721: 10699: 10604: 10568: 10462: 10349: 10339: 10324: 10181: 10114: 9802: 9714: 9699: 9694: 9634: 9573: 9563: 9475: 9384: 9370: 9326: 9305: 9243: 9014: 8539: 8534: 8524: 8375: 7951: 7941: 7910: 7856: 7844: 7836: 7790: 7757: 7724: 7603: 7573: 7543: 7513: 7483: 7180: 6587: 6499: 6165: 6117: 5974: 5964: 5862: 5661: 5576: 5091: 3866: 3584: 3511: 3396: 3384: 3286: 3132: 2294: 2150: 2109: 1938: 1789: 983: 896: 244: 94: 70: 6495:

La Reforma Constitucional: XXVI Jornadas de Estudio (27, 28 y 29 de octubre de 2004)

3005: 11899: 11517: 11315: 10878: 10784: 10537: 10421: 10292: 10272: 10236: 10109: 10080: 10019: 9896: 9889: 9734: 9593: 9499: 9421: 9331: 9299: 9213: 9103: 9095: 8964: 8949: 8844: 8559: 8274: 8109: 7933: 7828: 7716: 7712: 7406: 7379: 6360: 5772: 5734: 5535: 5505: 5138: 5075: 5066: 5034: 4013: 3954: 3713: 3531: 3489: 3475: 3392: 3376: 3176: 3152: 3054: 2861: 2743: 2651: 2647: 2636:

acceded to autonomy as insular territories, the latter integrated by two provinces.

2629: 2461: 2453: 2413: 2338: 2133: 2113: 1630: 1115: 891: 764: 591: 587: 521: 480: 409: 229: 198: 78: 62: 46: 8004: 5963:]. Vol. 1. Instituto Nacional de Administración Pública. pp. 39–64. 3249: 2551: 2146: 1713: 1382: 11781: 11704: 11689:

Used by ten or more countries or having derived terms. Historical derivations in

11565: 11193: 10896: 10799: 10743: 10680: 10651: 10636: 10416: 10411: 10369: 10334: 10134: 10099: 10074: 9762: 9757: 9553: 9248: 9180: 8441: 8229: 7900: 7872: 7806:"The smooth transition: Spain's 1978 Constitution and the nationalities question" 7782: 7720: 7356: 7174: 6758: 6581: 6527:"El referéndum de iniciativa, barrera no exigida a las nacionalidades históricas" 6493: 6159: 6107: 5856: 5655: 5570: 5050: 3945: 3521: 3517: 3455: 3388: 3372: 2449: 2315: 2082: 1876: 1734: 1450: 971: 956: 636: 114: 54: 7832: 7765: 5378:"Autonomic president", "regional president", or simply "president" (in Spanish: 1781: 11036: 11004: 10866: 10804: 10794: 10789: 10609: 10575: 10443: 10393: 10344: 10037: 9905: 9822: 9797: 9724: 9639: 9223: 9150: 8139: 7909:] (in Spanish) (2nd ed.). Siglo XXI España Editores. pp. 98, 99. 6026: 4982: 3759: 3308:, "contribution", and the treaty whereby this system is recognized is known as 3191: 3156: 2848: 2784: 2750: 2633: 2421: 2092:

in 1914, only to be abolished in 1925. It was granted again in 1932 during the

1029: 273: 253: 236: 11766: 11497: 8426: 7955: 7925: 7848: 7750:

Special Issue on Politics and Policy in Democratic Spain: No Longer Different?

2112:

that broke out in 1936, and the victory of the rebel Nationalist forces under

2077:, which served mostly as transmission belts for policies developed in Madrid. 756: 506:". The two autonomous cities have the right to become autonomous communities. 12106: 11218: 11058: 10820: 10669: 10532: 10302: 10277: 10120: 9863: 9719: 7840: 7738: 7173:

de Carreras Serra, Francesc (2005). "El Estado de las Autonomías en España".

6913:"Varias autonomías meditan devolver competencias por el bloqueo del gobierno" 6723: 6116:] (in Spanish). Ministerio de Administraciones Públicas. pp. 50–67. 3547: 3117: 3100: 2874: 2749:

In terms of personnel, by 2010 almost 1,350,000 people or 50.3% of the total

1460: 1323: 1258: 901: 854: 570: 540: 7761: 6583:

Estudios sobre descentralización territorial. El caso particular de Colombia

5978: 565:

This unique framework of territorial administration has been labeled by the

11618: 11610: 11605: 11570: 11078: 11073: 10984: 10454: 10104: 10066: 9999: 9910: 9868: 9752: 9608: 7066:"Rubalcaba, a favor de cambiar la Constitución para ir a un Estado federal" 4939: 4148:

Civil & Administrative Law (Justice, Registries, Judicial Appointments)

11512: 532:

which is on the whole seen as advantageous, able to respond to diversity.

11238: 11183: 11046: 11041: 11031: 10766: 10761: 10659: 10631: 10196: 10191: 10058: 9850: 9747: 9140: 8214: 7275: 6938: 6916: 5105: 4444:

Advertising, Regional Markets and regional controlled origin designations

3921: 3557: 2690: 2686: 2618: 2445: 1377: 160: 11425: 7937: 4813:

International Relations (Culture & language, Cross Border relations)

3095:, in which all areas that integrate the territory are fairly represented 2836:

Pro-Catalan independence (left) and pro-Spanish unity demonstrations in

11125: 10664: 10519: 10218: 7996: 6771:"Que al funcionario le cunda más | Edición impresa | EL PAÍS" 5858:

Regionalism after Regionalisation. Spain, France and the United Kingdom

5124: 4764:

Education (Primary, secondary, University, Professional & Language)

3239: 3236:

Basque Country, Catalonia, and Navarre have their own police corps—the

3198: 3067: 2889: 2818: 2726: 2685:

On the other hand, Cantabria and La Rioja, although originally part of

2323: 2240: 2187: 2166: 1175: 1034: 574: 559: 7981: 7070: 6860: 6246: 5784: 4664:

Local Transport & Communications (Road Transport, Maritime Rescue)

3520:

and recognised in some municipalities in Castile and León that border

3346: 2933:

There are independence movements pleading for secession from Spain in

2852:

and the poorest, over and above regional or professional identities".

2550:

After several months of discussion, the then prime minister of Spain,

2088:

In a response to Catalan demands, limited autonomy was granted to the

1515: 12089:

Spans the conventional boundary between Europe and another continent.

11544: 11502: 11477: 11335: 11290: 11178: 11120: 10942: 10691: 9951: 9704: 9411: 8874: 8762: 8749:

Spans the conventional boundary between Europe and another continent.

8199: 8154: 8064: 7176:

Descentralización en Perspectiva Comparada: España, Colombia y Brasil

6586:. Servicio de Publicaciones. Universidad de Cádiz. pp. 109–126. 5534: 5504: 5103:

In the Basque Country, the head of government is officially known as

4347: 4276: 3889: 3783: 3619: 3537: 3485: 3066:

For communities that acceded to autonomy through the "fast route", a

3000: 2866: 2837: 2788: 2643: 2532: 2437: 2425: 2401: 2330: 2307: 2158:

could constitute "pre-autonomic regimes" for their regions as well.

2120: 1730: 1318: 1313: 1110: 682: 569:

as the "State of Autonomous Communities", to avoid implying either a

383: 284: 205: 186: 141: 11580: 11575: 5653: 3175:

The autonomic agreements of 1982 and 1992 tried to equalize powers (

11330: 11300: 11130: 11053: 10964: 10776: 10554: 10264: 9130: 8989: 8914: 8829: 8244: 8094: 7386:. President of the Government of Spain and the Council of Ministers 7249:. Congreso Ibeoramericano de Derecho Constitucional. Archived from 6966:"Spain's cultural fabric tearing apart as austerity takes its toll" 6939:"Catalonia: Europe's next state. A row about money and sovereignty" 6414:. Congreso Iberoamericano de Derecho Constitucional. Archived from 5776: 5469:"Own language (of a community)" or "language proper " (in Spanish: 3977: 3744: 3695: 3441: 3351: 3121: 2639: 2409: 2289: 1776: 1708: 1510: 1182: 963: 819: 751: 379: 181: 166: 131: 11640: 11534: 11385: 8809: 7650:(in Spanish). Ministerio de Hacienda y Administraciones Públicas. 5882: 4713:

Culture (libraries, museums, Film industry, Arts, & Crafts...)

3736: 2590: 2190:

of power to the "autonomous communities" that were to be created.

2045: 11635: 11560: 11390: 11380: 11320: 11233: 11203: 11135: 11016: 10228: 10029: 9060: 8969: 8353: 8289: 7743:"The Spanish 'state of autonomies': non-institutional federalism" 7244:"El Estado Autonómico de España a los 25 años de su constitución" 5336:"Historical territories" or "chartered territories" (in Spanish: 4978:

List of Spanish autonomous communities by Human Development Index

4968:

List of current presidents of the autonomous communities of Spain

4874: 4351: 4070: 4031: 3465: 2718: 2657: 2515:

The Conference of Presidents in 2017, is the meeting between the

2500: 2489: 2473: 2457: 1981: 1975: 1703: 687: 421: 395: 293: 264: 215: 119: 7982:

Information about Spain's Autonomous Communities from rulers.org

4973:

List of Spanish autonomous communities by gross domestic product

3233:, Galicia and the Valencian Community have a regional civil code 11772: 11665: 11655: 11650: 11585: 11539: 11455: 11325: 11310: 11305: 11295: 10979: 10586: 10168: 8854: 8432: 8079: 7093:"Navarro presenta la seva candidatura aquesta tarda a Terrassa" 4495:

Financial (Regional Cooperative Banks, & Financial Markets)

3740: 3667: 3501: 3425: 2606: 2405: 2050: 1635: 1575: 824: 746: 221: 136: 11410: 6607: 5991: 2130:. The most difficult task of the newly democratically elected 11660: 11645: 11630: 11507: 11492: 11482: 11467: 11445: 11440: 11375: 11173: 11115: 10999: 9091: 8340: 8039: 5731:"Nationalism in Spain: Is It a Danger to National Integrity?" 5686: 5684: 2714: 2485: 2469: 1927: 1921: 472: 425: 391: 326: 210: 5831: 2958:

fourth transitory provision of the 1978 Spanish Constitution

11487: 10753: 10091: 7907:

The federalisation of Spain. Political power and territory.

7674:

Ministerio de Política Territorial y Administración Pública

7039:"Spain heads towards confrontation with Catalan parliament" 3112: 2738: 1903: 662: 7107: 6619: 5957:

El Estado Autonómico: Integración, Solidaridad, Diversidad

5681: 4796:

Cultural, Welfare, & Education Associations Regulation

2827: 2523:

and the presidents of the Autonomous communities of Spain.

27:

First-level political and administrative division of Spain

11285: 6465: 6439: 6304: 5961:

The Autonomous State: Integration, Solidarity, Diversity.

5361:"Autonomic pacts" or "autonomic agreements" (in Spanish: 3027: 2899:

One scholar summarises the current situation as follows:

2865:

taxes"—led many to support secession. In September 2012,

7902:

La federalización de España. Poder político y territorio

7873:"Federalism and the Balance of Power in European States" 6993:. Catalan News Agency. 28 September 2012. Archived from 6377: 6375: 6373: 6214:. Fundación Caja Rural Intermediterránea. Archived from 5540:"Título VIII. De la Organización Territorial del Estado" 3350:

Bilingual signs, showing the names of the city known as

2266:

A single province with a "historical regional identity".

2126:

When Franco died in 1975, Spain entered into a phase of

7676:(in Spanish). November 2011. p. 13. Archived from 5821: 5819: 5817: 5815: 5813: 5811: 5702: 3375:

the language proper to the Basque Country and Navarre,

2664:), and as such, it is known as a "chartered community". 495:, with the aim of guaranteeing limited autonomy of the 30:"Regions of Spain" redirects here. For other uses, see 7884:

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

6964:

Tremlett, Giles; Roberts, Martin (28 September 2012).

5931:

La España de las Autonomías. Un Especial de elmundo.es

5903: 5901: 5899: 5897: 3139:

of Catalonia—while others are entirely new creations.

2391:, leader of the opposition in Parliament, signed the " 7600: