Government Stats: compare key data on Germany & Spain

Definitions

Administrative divisions: This entry generally gives the numbers, designatory terms, and first-order administrative divisions as approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Changes that have been reported but not yet acted on by BGN are noted.
Capital city > Geographic coordinates: This entry gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
Capital city > Name: This entry gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
Constitution: The dates of adoption, revisions, and major amendments to a nation's constitution
Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Executive branch > Cabinet: Cabinet includes the official name for any body of high-ranking advisers roughly comparable to a U.S. Cabinet. Also notes the method for selection of members.
Executive branch > Chief of state: The name and title of any person or role roughly equivalent to a U.S. Chief of State. This means the titular leader of the country who represents the state at official and ceremonial functions but may not be involved with the day-to-day activities of the government
Executive branch > Head of government: Head of government includes the name and title of the top administrative leader who is designated to manage the day-to-day activities of the government. For example, in the UK, the monarch is the chief of state, and the prime minister is the head of government. In the US, the president is both the chief of state and the head of government.
Government type: A description of the basic form of government (e.g., republic, constitutional monarchy, federal republic, parliamentary democracy, military dictatorship).
Judicial branch: The name(s) of the highest court(s) and a brief description of the selection process for members.
Legal system: A brief description of the legal system's historical roots, role in government, and acceptance of International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction.
Legislative branch: This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral, bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or number of seats held by each party in the last election.
Political parties and leaders: Significant political organizations and their leaders.
Political pressure groups and leaders: Organizations with leaders involved in politics, but not standing for legislative election.
Suffrage: The age at enfranchisement and whether the right to vote is universal or restricted
International organization participation: This entry lists in alphabetical order by abbreviation those international organizations in which the subject country is a member or participates in some other way.
Country name > Conventional long form: This entry is derived from Government > Country name, which includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.
Civil law system: Description.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
Executive branch > Elections: Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election
National symbol(s): A national symbol is a faunal, floral, or other abstract representation - or some distinctive object - that over time has come to be closely identified with a country or entity. Not all countries have national symbols; a few countries have more than one.
Flag description: A written flag description produced from actual flags or the best information available at the time the entry was written. The flags of independent states are used by their dependencies unless there is an officially recognized local flag. Some disputed and other areas do not have flags.
Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days: Time required to start a business (days). Time required to start a business is the number of calendar days needed to complete the procedures to legally operate a business. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen.
Country name > Conventional short form: This entry is derived from Government > Country name, which includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.
Constitutional form: Constitutional form of government.
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International: This entry includes a wide variety of situations that range from traditional bilateral boundary disputes to unilateral claims of one sort or another. Information regarding disputes over international terrestrial and maritime boundaries has been reviewed by the US Department of State. References to other situations involving borders or frontiers may also be included, such as resource disputes, geopolitical questions, or irredentist issues; however, inclusion does not necessarily constitute official acceptance or recognition by the US Government.
Total businesses registered > Number: Total businesses registered. Because of underreporting of firms that have closed or exited, especially in developing countries, the data on total registered firms may be biased upward.
National anthem: A generally patriotic musical composition - usually in the form of a song or hymn of praise - that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, or struggles of a nation or its people. National anthems can be officially recognized as a national song by a country's constitution or by an enacted law, or simply by tradition. Although most anthems contain lyrics, some do not.
Legislative branch > Election results: This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral, bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or number of seats held by each party in the last election.
Legislative branch > Elections: This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral, bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or number of seats held by each party in the last election.
Democracy and rights > Press freedom index: Compares countries by their degree of government censorship, according to the Press freedom index. This index, created by the non-governmental organization Reporters without borders (RWS), is ellaborated using data from an extensive annual survey sent to professional reporters throughout the world. The survey contains questions about the type and ownership of media present in the country, freedom of speech, violence exerted against reporters, election campaigns, access of political parties to the media, etc.
Parliament > Seats held by women > Percentage: Percentage of seats held by women in country's national parliament or legislative houses.
Independence: For most countries, this entry gives the date that sovereignty was achieved and from which nation, empire, or trusteeship. For the other countries, the date given may not represent "independence" in the strict sense, but rather some significant nationhood event such as the traditional founding date or the date of unification, federation, confederation, establishment, fundamental change in the form of government, or state succession. Dependent areas include the notation "none" followed by the nature of their dependency status. "
Executive branch > Election results: Election results includes the percent of vote for each candidate in the last election (if any)
Judicial branch > Subordinate courts: This entry is derived from Government > Judicial branch, which includes three subfields. The highest court(s) subfield includes the name(s) of a country's highest level court(s), the number and titles of the judges, and the types of cases heard by the court, which commonly are based on civil, criminal, administrative, and constitutional law. A number of countries have separate constitutional courts. The judge selection and term of office subfield includes the organizations and associated officials responsible for nominating and appointing judges, and a brief description of the process. The selection process can be indicative of the independence of a country's court system from other branches of its government. Also included in this subfield are judges' tenures, which can range from a few years, to a specified retirement age, to lifelong appointments. The subordinate courts subfield lists the courts lower in the hierarchy of a country's court system. A few countries with federal-style governments, such as Brazil, Canada, and the US, in addition to their federal court, have separate state- or province-level court systems, though generally the two systems interact.
Basis of executive legitimacy: Basis of executive legitimacy.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
Transnational Issues > Illicit drugs: This entry gives information on the five categories of illicit drugs - narcotics, stimulants, depressants (sedatives), hallucinogens, and cannabis. These categories include many drugs legally produced and prescribed by doctors as well as those illegally produced and sold outside of medical channels.
Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) is the common hemp plant, which provides hallucinogens with some sedative properties, and includes marijuana (pot, Acapulco gold, grass, reefer), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, Marinol), hashish (hash), and hashish oil (hash oil).
Coca (mostly Erythroxylum coca) is a bush with leaves that contain the stimulant used to make cocaine. Coca is not to be confused with cocoa, which comes from cacao seeds and is used in making chocolate, cocoa, and cocoa butter.
Cocaine is a stimulant derived from the leaves of the coca bush.
Depressants (sedatives) are drugs that reduce tension and anxiety and include chloral hydrate, barbiturates (Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, phenobarbital), benzodiazepines (Librium, Valium), methaqualone (Quaalude), glutethimide (Doriden), and others (Equanil, Placidyl, Valmid).
Drugs are any chemical substances that effect a physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral change in an individual.
Drug abuse is the use of any licit or illicit chemical substance that results in physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral impairment in an individual.
Hallucinogens are drugs that affect sensation, thinking, self-awareness, and emotion. Hallucinogens include LSD (acid, microdot), mescaline and peyote (mexc, buttons, cactus), amphetamine variants (PMA, STP, DOB), phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust, hog), phencyclidine analogues (PCE, PCPy, TCP), and others (psilocybin, psilocyn).
Hashish is the resinous exudate of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis sativa).
Heroin is a semisynthetic derivative of morphine.
Mandrax is a trade name for methaqualone, a pharmaceutical depressant.
Marijuana is the dried leaf of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis sativa).
Methaqualone is a pharmaceutical depressant, referred to as mandrax in Southwest Asia and Africa.
Narcotics are drugs that relieve pain, often induce sleep, and refer to opium, opium derivatives, and synthetic substitutes. Natural narcotics include opium (paregoric, parepectolin), morphine (MS-Contin, Roxanol), codeine (Tylenol with codeine, Empirin with codeine, Robitussin AC), and thebaine. Semisynthetic narcotics ...
Full definition
Country name > Local short form: This entry is derived from Government > Country name, which includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.
Democracy and rights > Freedom of the press: Compares countries by freedom of the press. The lower the score, the more free the press of that country is. The scores are taken from the Freedom of the Press Index, elaborated by Freedom House, self-defined as "an independent watchdog organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom around the world". The data used in the index come from an annual survey of media independence in 197 countries and territories, assessing the degree of print, broadcast, and internet freedom in each of them.
Corruption > Bribe Payers Index: 2008
Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament: Women in parliaments are the percentage of parliamentary seats in a single or lower chamber occupied by women.
Diplomatic representation from the US > Embassy: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number: Start-up procedures to register a business (number). Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production.
Democracy and rights > Nationalist vote: Percentage of votes at the most recent national election that went to parties with a nationalist ideology.
Democracy > Civil and political liberties: Civil and political liberties
Units: Index Ranging from 7 (High Levels of Liberties) to 1 (Low
Units: This is the average of two indicators - civil liberties and political liberties.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current U.S. dollars.
National holiday: The primary national day of celebration - often independence day.
Capital > Geographic coordinates: This entry is derived from Government > Capital, which gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
Democracy > First female parliamentarian: Year first woman elected or appointed to parliament.
Time required to start a business > Days: Time required to start a business is the number of calendar days needed to complete the procedures to legally operate a business. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen.
Judicial branch > Judge selection and term of office: This entry is derived from Government > Judicial branch, which includes three subfields. The highest court(s) subfield includes the name(s) of a country's highest level court(s), the number and titles of the judges, and the types of cases heard by the court, which commonly are based on civil, criminal, administrative, and constitutional law. A number of countries have separate constitutional courts. The judge selection and term of office subfield includes the organizations and associated officials responsible for nominating and appointing judges, and a brief description of the process. The selection process can be indicative of the independence of a country's court system from other branches of its government. Also included in this subfield are judges' tenures, which can range from a few years, to a specified retirement age, to lifelong appointments. The subordinate courts subfield lists the courts lower in the hierarchy of a country's court system. A few countries with federal-style governments, such as Brazil, Canada, and the US, in addition to their federal court, have separate state- or province-level court systems, though generally the two systems interact.
Democracy and rights > Democracy Index: DI 2012.
Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient: Burden of customs procedure, WEF (1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient). Burden of Customs Procedure measures business executives' perceptions of their country's efficiency of customs procedures. The rating ranges from 1 to 7, with a higher score indicating greater efficiency. Data are from the World Economic Forum's Executive Opinion Survey, conducted for 30 years in collaboration with 150 partner institutes. The 2009 round included more than 13,000 respondents from 133 countries. Sampling follows a dual stratification based on company size and the sector of activity. Data are collected online or through in-person interviews. Responses are aggregated using sector-weighted averaging. The data for the latest year are combined with the data for the previous year to create a two-year moving average. Respondents evaluated the efficiency of customs procedures in their country. The lowest score (1) rates the customs procedure as extremely inefficient, and the highest score (7) as extremely efficient.
Red tape > Time required to register property > Days: Time required to register property (days). Time required to register property is the number of calendar days needed for businesses to secure rights to property.
Politics: Country politics.
International law organization participation: This entry includes information on a country's acceptance of jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and of the International Criminal Court (ICCt); 55 countries have accepted ICJ jurisdiction with reservations and 11 have accepted ICJ jurisdiction without reservations; 114 countries have accepted ICCt jurisdiction. Appendix B: International Organizations and Groups explains the differing mandates of the ICJ and ICCt.
Parliament > Seats held by men: Number of seats held by men in country's naitonal parliament or legislative houses.
Country name > Local long form: This entry is derived from Government > Country name, which includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.
Red tape > Time to resolve insolvency > Years: Time to resolve insolvency (years). Time to resolve insolvency is the number of years from the filing for insolvency in court until the resolution of distressed assets.
Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million: Start-up procedures to register a business (number). Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Diplomatic representation from the US > Telephone: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chief of mission: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chancery: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Diplomatic representation from the US > Chief of mission: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Parliament > Seats held by women: Number of seats held by women in country's parliament or legislative houses.
Democracy > Democratic institutions rating: Democratic institutions
Units: Scale ranging from -10 (autocratic) to +10 (democratic)
UN membership date: Date of United Nations Membership
Democracy and rights > Democracy Index per million people: DI 2012. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
Total businesses registered > Number per 1000: Total businesses registered. Because of underreporting of firms that have closed or exited, especially in developing countries, the data on total registered firms may be biased upward. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number: Procedures to build a warehouse (number). Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers.
Capital city: The location of the seat of government.
Capital > Name: This entry is derived from Government > Capital, which gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
Legal origin: Legal origin identifies the origin of the Company Law or Commercial Code in each country
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per capita: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current U.S. dollars. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
Spending > Expense > Current LCU: Expense is cash payments for operating activities of the government in providing goods and services. It includes compensation of employees (such as wages and salaries), interest and subsidies, grants, social benefits, and other expenses such as rent and dividends."
Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days: Time required to get electricity (days). Time required to get electricity is the number of days to obtain a permanent electricity connection. The measure captures the median duration that the electricity utility and experts indicate is necessary in practice, rather than required by law, to complete a procedure.
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Registered voter turnout: The proportion of registered voters who actually voted.
Legislature (parliament) > People per member: Number of people each member of the legislature represents on average. The number of members of the legislature is the sum of the members of all chambers of parliament, if applicable.
Democracy and rights > Year women first voted at national level: Year women first voted at national level.
Capital > Time difference: This entry is derived from Government > Capital, which gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
International relations: Country international relations.
Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days per million: Time required to get electricity (days). Time required to get electricity is the number of days to obtain a permanent electricity connection. The measure captures the median duration that the electricity utility and experts indicate is necessary in practice, rather than required by law, to complete a procedure. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Legislature (parliament) > Upper house members: Members of the upper house of the legislature. Does not include countries with a unicameral system.
Legislature (parliament) > Lower house members: Members of the lower house of the legislature or of the only chamber in a unicameral system.
Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days: Time required to enforce a contract (days). Time required to enforce a contract is the number of calendar days from the filing of the lawsuit in court until the final determination and, in appropriate cases, payment.
Democracy > Female parliamentarians: Seats in parliament held by women (as % of total). Data are as of 8 March 2002. Where there are lower and upper houses, data refer to the weighted average of women's shares of seats in both houses.
Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number: Procedures to register property (number). Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property.
Role of head of state: Head of state.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ per capita: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current U.S. dollars. Figures expressed per capita for the same year.
Democracy and rights > Nationalist party (percent of vote): This list shows the percentage of votes obtained by nationalist parties across Europe at the latest elections held in their respective countries. Note that the percentages show the votes from all the parties combined, and only for general elections (some parties may obtain a quite higher percentage in regional elections). Nationalist parties usually hold right-wing populist views, and among their common demands are a higher control of immigration, extended social/labor rights for country nationals, and a restriction of islamic customs -such as the veil or the construction of mosques-, though their ideologies and goals vary from country to country. Some parties have as their main goal the seggregation of a region from its parent country (with examples in Scotland, Catalonia and Northern Ireland). Most of nationalist parties with elected members in the European Parliament belong to the Europe of Freedom and Democracy group.
Start-up procedures to register a business > Number: Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production.
Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient per million: Burden of customs procedure, WEF (1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient). Burden of Customs Procedure measures business executives' perceptions of their country's efficiency of customs procedures. The rating ranges from 1 to 7, with a higher score indicating greater efficiency. Data are from the World Economic Forum's Executive Opinion Survey, conducted for 30 years in collaboration with 150 partner institutes. The 2009 round included more than 13,000 respondents from 133 countries. Sampling follows a dual stratification based on company size and the sector of activity. Data are collected online or through in-person interviews. Responses are aggregated using sector-weighted averaging. The data for the latest year are combined with the data for the previous year to create a two-year moving average. Respondents evaluated the efficiency of customs procedures in their country. The lowest score (1) rates the customs procedure as extremely inefficient, and the highest score (7) as extremely efficient. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Strength of legal rights index > 0=weak to 10=strong: Strength of legal rights index measures the degree to which collateral and bankruptcy laws protect the rights of borrowers and lenders and thus facilitate lending. The index ranges from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating that these laws are better designed to expand access to credit."
Spending > Compensation of employees > Current LCU: Compensation of employees consists of all payments in cash, as well as in kind (such as food and housing), to employees in return for services rendered, and government contributions to social insurance schemes such as social security and pensions that provide benefits to employees."
Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > Current LCU: Subsidies, grants, and other social benefits include all unrequited, nonrepayable transfers on current account to private and public enterprises; grants to foreign governments, international organisations, and other government units; and social security, social assistance benefits, and employer social benefits in cash and in kind."
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per $ GDP: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current U.S. dollars. Per $ GDP figures expressed per 1 $ gross domestic product.
Parliament > Seats held by women per million people: Number of seats held by women in country's parliament or legislative houses. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
Democracy > Female suffrage: Year in which women received the right to vote. Data refer to the year in which right to vote or stand for election on a universal and equal basis was recognized. Where two years are shown, the first refers to the first partial recognition of the right to vote.
Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days: Time required to build a warehouse (days). Time required to build a warehouse is the number of calendar days needed to complete the required procedures for building a warehouse. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen.
Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Syrian National Council: Date on which the Syrian National Council was recognized, at least as a legitimate representative of the Syrian people. For more information, please see http://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/stats/Government/Foreign-relations/International-recognition-of-the-Syrian-National-Council-notes
Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days per million: Time required to start a business (days). Time required to start a business is the number of calendar days needed to complete the procedures to legally operate a business. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million: Procedures to enforce a contract (number). Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Red tape > Time required to register property > Days per million: Time required to register property (days). Time required to register property is the number of calendar days needed for businesses to secure rights to property. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days per million: Time required to build a warehouse (days). Time required to build a warehouse is the number of calendar days needed to complete the required procedures for building a warehouse. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million: Procedures to build a warehouse (number). Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Capital > Daylight saving time: This entry is derived from Government > Capital, which gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
Total businesses registered > Number > Per capita: Total businesses registered. Because of underreporting of firms that have closed or exited, especially in developing countries, the data on total registered firms may be biased upward. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
Spending > Interest payments > Current LCU: Interest payments include interest payments on government debt--including long-term bonds, long-term loans, and other debt instruments--to domestic and foreign residents."
Democracy and rights > Major left wing party: Left-wing major party.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
Democracy and rights > Votes for nationalist parties: Absolute number of votes at the most recent national election that went to parties with a nationalist ideology.
Foreign relations > Diplomatic representation in the US > Ambassador: Name of ambassador to the USA.
Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons > Stateless persons per thousand people: This entry is derived from Government > Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons, which includes those persons residing in a country as refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs). Each country's refugee entry includes only countries of origin that are the source of refugee populations of 5,000 or more. The definition of a refugee according to a United Nations Convention is "a person who is outside his/her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution." The UN established the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1950 to handle refugee matters worldwide. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has a different operational definition for a Palestinian refugee: "a person whose normal place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948 and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict." However, UNHCR also assists some 400,000 Palestinian refugees not covered under the UNRWA definition. The term "internally displaced person" is not specifically covered in the UN Convention; it is used to describe people who have fled their homes for reasons similar to refugees, but who remain within their own national territory and are subject to the laws of that state. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons > Stateless persons: This entry is derived from Government > Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons, which includes those persons residing in a country as refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs). Each country's refugee entry includes only countries of origin that are the source of refugee populations of 5,000 or more. The definition of a refugee according to a United Nations Convention is "a person who is outside his/her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution." The UN established the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1950 to handle refugee matters worldwide. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has a different operational definition for a Palestinian refugee: "a person whose normal place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948 and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict." However, UNHCR also assists some 400,000 Palestinian refugees not covered under the UNRWA definition. The term "internally displaced person" is not specifically covered in the UN Convention; it is used to describe people who have fled their homes for reasons similar to refugees, but who remain within their own national territory and are subject to the laws of that state.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ > Per capita: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in constant 2000 U.S. dollars. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
Time required to build a warehouse > Days: Time required to build a warehouse is the number of calendar days needed to complete the required procedures for building a warehouse. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen.
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population: International IDEA has chosen to use not only the reported registration rate to calculate turnout percentages, but also the voting age population (VAP) which includes all citizens above the legal voting age
Failed States Index: FSI 2013.
Democracy > Female candidacy: Year in which women received the right to stand for election. Data refer to the year in which right to vote or stand for election on a universal and equal basis was recognized. Where two years are shown, the first refers to the first partial recognition of the right to stand for election.
Trademarks > Nonresidents > Per capita: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
Trademarks > Nonresidents per 1000: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voter registration: The number of registered voters. The figure represents the number of names on the voters' register at the time that the registration process closes, as reported by the electoral management body.
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Total vote: The total number of votes cast in the relevant election. Total vote includes valid and invalid votes, as well as blank votes in cases where these are separated from invalid votes. More information on valid, invalid and blank votes can be found at aceproject.org
Start-up procedures to register a business > Number > Per capita: Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production. Per capita figures expressed per 1 million population.
Time required to enforce a contract > Days: Time required to enforce a contract is the number of calendar days from the filing of the lawsuit in court until the final determination and, in appropriate cases, payment.
Procedures to register property > Number: Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property.
Procedures to build a warehouse > Number: Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers.
Key ministers > Defence: Minister of Defence, 2005
Council of EU > 2005 > Country votes: January 1, 2005
Foreign relations > International recognition of the Syrian National Council notes:
Degree to which the Syrian National Council is recognized as a legitimate representative of the Syrian people.
Democracy and rights > Major right wing party: Right-wing major party.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
Legislature (parliament) > Total members of parliament: Number of members of the legislature (sum of members of all chambers of parliament where applicable).
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current LCU: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current local currency.
Spending > Interest payments > % of revenue: Interest payments include interest payments on government debt--including long-term bonds, long-term loans, and other debt instruments--to domestic and foreign residents."
Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > % of expense: Subsidies, grants, and other social benefits include all unrequited, nonrepayable transfers on current account to private and public enterprises; grants to foreign governments, international organisations, and other government units; and social security, social assistance benefits, and employer social benefits in cash and in kind."
Time to prepare and pay taxes > Hours: Time to prepare and pay taxes is the time, in hours per year, it takes to prepare, file, and pay (or withhold) three major types of taxes: the corporate income tax, the value added or sales tax, and labor taxes, including payroll taxes and social security contributions.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in constant 2000 U.S. dollars.
Procedures to register property > Number > Per capita: Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property. Per capita figures expressed per 1 million population.
Procedures to enforce a contract > Number > Per capita: Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer. Per capita figures expressed per 1 million population.
Spending > Goods and services expense > Current LCU: Goods and services include all government payments in exchange for goods and services used for the production of market and nonmarket goods and services. Own-account capital formation is excluded.
Republic establishment date: The date on which each country (or its precursor) changed its form of government to a republic. In a republic, the power resides in the country’s people, the government and legislature is elected and the country is ruled according to its laws.
Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments > %: Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%). Women in parliaments are the percentage of parliamentary seats in a single or lower chamber held by women.
Key ministers > Justice: Minister of Justice, 2005
Management time dealing with officials > % of management time: Time dealing with officials is the percentage of management time in a given week spent on requirements imposed by government regulations (taxes, customs, labor regulations, licensing and registration).
Diplomatic representation from the US > FAX: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Diplomatic representation in the US > FAX: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number: Procedures to enforce a contract (number). Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer.
Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number per million: Procedures to register property (number). Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Red tape > Management time dealing with officials > % of management time: Management time dealing with officials (% of management time). Time dealing with officials is the percentage of management time in a given week spent on requirements imposed by government regulations (taxes, customs, labor regulations, licensing and registration).
Capital city > Time difference: This entry gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
Key ministers > Interior: Minister of Interior, 2005
Diplomatic representation from the US > Consulate(s) general: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant LCU: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in constant local currency.
Policy uncertainty > % of managers surveyed ranking this as a major business constraint: Policy uncertainty measures the share of senior managers who ranked economic and regulatory policy uncertainty as a major or very severe constraint.
Council of EU > 2007 > Country votes: January 1, 2007
Council of EU > 2003 > Country votes: January 1, 2003
Trademarks > Residents > Per capita: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
Council of EU > 2005 > Country leader: January 1, 2005
Council of EU > 2007 > Country leader: January 1, 2007
Spending > Other expense > Current LCU: Other expense is spending on dividends, rent, and other miscellaneous expenses, including provision for consumption of fixed capital."
Council of EU > 2002 > Country leader: January 1, 2002
Council of EU > 2001 > Country leader: January 1, 2001
Council of EU > 2002 > European party of leader: January 1, 2002
Trademarks > Residents per million: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Time to resolve insolvency > Years: Time to resolve insolvency is the number of years from the filing for insolvency in court until the resolution of distressed assets.
Procedures to register property > Number per million: Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Council of EU > 2001 > Country votes: January 1, 2001
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Annual % growth: Annual percentage growth of general government final consumption expenditure based on constant local currency. Aggregates are based on constant 2000 U.S. dollars. General government final consumption expenditure (general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation.
Time required to register property > Days: Time required to register property is the number of calendar days needed for businesses to secure rights to property.
Trademarks > Nonresidents: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment.
Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million: Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million: Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Procedures to build a warehouse > Number > Per capita: Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers. Per capita figures expressed per 1 million population.
Procedures to enforce a contract > Number: Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer.
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population per 1000: International IDEA has chosen to use not only the reported registration rate to calculate turnout percentages, but also the voting age population (VAP) which includes all citizens above the legal voting age. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
Council of EU > 2006 > Country votes: January 1, 2006
Council of EU > January–April 2004 > European party of leader: January 1, 2004
Democracy and rights > Democratic socialist parties which have governed: Parties self-identifying as democratic socialist, social democratic or labour, which have formed or taken part in their national government at least once.
Democracy and rights > Democratic socialist party, years in power: Periods in which parties self-identifying as democratic socialist, social democratic or labour have formed or taken part in their national government.
Council of EU > 2007 > European party of leader: January 1, 2007
Council of EU > 2005 > European party of leader: January 1, 2005
Diplomatic representation in the US > Consulate(s) general: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Invalid votes: The number of invalid votes, as reported by each country.
Diplomatic representation in the US > Telephone: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Legislature (parliament) > Term of office for lower house members: Members of the lower (or sole) house.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
Spending > Goods and services expense > % of expense: Goods and services include all government payments in exchange for goods and services used for the production of market and nonmarket goods and services. Own-account capital formation is excluded.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ per capita: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in constant 2000 U.S. dollars. Figures expressed per capita for the same year.
Democracy and rights > Last election: Last election.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
Parliament > Seats held by men per million people: Number of seats held by men in country's naitonal parliament or legislative houses. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
Democracy and rights > Next election: Next election.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
Spending > Compensation of employees > % of expense: Compensation of employees consists of all payments in cash, as well as in kind (such as food and housing), to employees in return for services rendered, and government contributions to social insurance schemes such as social security and pensions that provide benefits to employees."
Spending > Interest payments > % of expense: Interest payments include interest payments on government debt--including long-term bonds, long-term loans, and other debt instruments--to domestic and foreign residents."
Spending > Other expense > % of expense: Other expense is spending on dividends, rent, and other miscellaneous expenses, including provision for consumption of fixed capital."
Ruling party: In power now.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million: Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Spending > Expense > % of GDP: Expense is cash payments for operating activities of the government in providing goods and services. It includes compensation of employees (such as wages and salaries), interest and subsidies, grants, social benefits, and other expenses such as rent and dividends."
Foreign relations > Recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia: Statements on the status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia issued by countries who do not recognize their sovereignty.
Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days per million: Time required to enforce a contract (days). Time required to enforce a contract is the number of calendar days from the filing of the lawsuit in court until the final determination and, in appropriate cases, payment. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
European Union > Council of the European Union votes: Number of votes each member state of the European Union has in the Council of the European Union.
Trademarks > Residents: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment.

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STAT	Germany	Spain
Administrative divisions	16 states (Laender, singular - Land); Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bayern (Bavaria), Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen (Hesse), Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania), Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony), Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia), Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate), Saarland, Sachsen (Saxony), Sachsen-Anhalt (Saxony-Anhalt), Schleswig-Holstein, Thueringen (Thuringia)(Freistaaten, singular - Freistaat)	17 autonomous communities (comunidades autonomas, singular - comunidad autonoma) and 2 autonomous cities* (ciudades autonomas, singular - ciudad autonoma); Andalucia; Aragon; Asturias; Ceuta; Canarias (Canary Islands); Cantabria; Castilla-La Mancha; Castilla y Leon; Cataluna (Castilian), Catalunya (Catalan), Catalonha (Aranese) [Catalonia]; Comunidad Valenciana (Castilian), Comunitat Valenciana (Valencian) [Valencian Community]; Extremadura; Galicia; Illes Baleares (Balearic Islands); La Rioja; Madrid; Melilla; Murcia; Navarra (Castilian), Nafarroa (Basque) [Navarre]; Pais Vasco (Castilian), Euskadi (Basque) [Basque Country]
Capital city > Geographic coordinates	52 31 N, 13 24 E	40 24 N, 3 41 W
Capital city > Name	Berlin	Madrid
Constitution	previous 1919 (Weimar Constitution); latest drafted 10 to 23 August 1948, approved 12 May 1949, promulgated 23 May 1949, entered into force 24 May 1949; amended many times, last in 2012	previous 1812; latest approved by legislature 31 October 1978, passed by referendum 6 December 1978, signed by the king 27 December 1978, effective 29 December 1978; amended 1992, 2011
Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address	Unit 5090, Box 1000, DPO AE09265	PSC 61, APO AE 09642
Executive branch > Cabinet	Cabinet or Bundesminister (Federal Ministers) appointed by the president on the recommendation of the chancellor	Council of Ministers designated by the president
Executive branch > Chief of state	President Joachim GAUCK (since 23 March 2012)	King JUAN CARLOS I (since 22 November 1975); Heir Apparent Prince FELIPE, son of the monarch, born 30 January 1968
Executive branch > Head of government	Chancellor Angela MERKEL (since 22 November 2005)	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)
Government type	federal republic	parliamentary monarchy
Judicial branch	Federal Constitutional Court or Bundesverfassungsgericht (half the judges are elected by the Bundestag and half by the Bundesrat); Federal Court of Justice; Federal Administrative Court	Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo; Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucioanal de Espana
Legal system	civil law system	civil law system with regional variations
Legislative branch	bicameral legislature consists of the Federal Council or Bundesrat	bicameral; General Courts or National Assembly or Las Cortes Generales consists of the Senate or Senado (264 seats as of 2008; 208 members directly elected by popular vote and the other 56 - as of 2008 - appointed by the regional legislatures; 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)
Political parties and leaders	Alliance '90/Greens [Cem OEZDEMIR]<br />Christian Democratic Union or CDU [Angela MERKEL]<br />Christian Social Union or CSU [Horst SEEHOFER]<br />Free Democratic Party or FDP [Philipp ROESLER]<br />Left Party or Die Linke [Katia KIPPING and Bernd RIEXINGER]<br />Social Democratic Party or SPD [Sigmar GABRIEL]	Amaiur [collective leadership] (a coalition of parties advocating the peaceful Basque independence from Spain)<br />Basque Nationalist Party or PNV or EAJ [Inigo URKULLU Renteria]<br />Canarian Coalition or CC [Claudina MORALES Rodriquez] (a coalition of five parties)<br />Convergence and Union or CiU [Artur MAS i Gavarro] (a coalition of the Democratic Convergence of Catalonia or CDC [Artur MAS i Gavarro] and the Democratic Union of Catalonia or UDC [Josep Antoni DURAN i LLEIDA])<br />Entesa Catalonia de Progress (a Senate coalition grouping four Catalan parties - PSC, ERC, ICV, EUA)<br />Galician Nationalist Bloc or BNG [Guillerme VAZQUEZ Vazquez]<br />Initiative for Catalonia Greens or ICV [Joan HERRERA i Torres]<br />Yes to the Future or Geroa Bai [collective leadership] (a coalition of four Navarran parties)<br />Popular Party or PP [Mariano RAJOY Brey]<br />Republican Left of Catalonia or ERC [Oriol JUNQUERAS i Vies]<br />Spanish Socialist Workers Party or PSOE [Alfredo PEREZ Rubalcaba]<br />Union of People of Navarra or UPN [Yolanda BARCINA Angulo]<br />Union, Progress and Democracy or UPyD [Rosa DIEZ Gonzalez]<br />United Left or IU [Cayo LARA Moya] (a coalition of parties including the Communist Party of Spain or PCE and other small parties)
Political pressure groups and leaders	business associations and employers' organizations<br />trade unions; religious, immigrant, expellee, and veterans groups	Association for Victims of Terrorism or AVT (grassroots organization devoted primarily to supporting victims of the Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorist organization)<br />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)<br />Socialist General Union of Workers or UGT and the smaller independent Workers Syndical Union or USO<br />Trade Union Confederation of Workers' Commissions or CC.OO.<br />the smaller independent Workers Syndical Union or USO<br /><br /><strong>other:</strong> business and landowning interests; Catholic Church; free labor unions (authorized in April 1977); university students
Suffrage	18 years of age; universal	18 years of age; universal
International organization participation	ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CD, CDB, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC	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
Country name > Conventional long form	Federal Republic of Germany	Kingdom of Spain
Civil law system	The B\u00fcrgerliches Gesetzbuch of 1900 ("BGB"). The BGB is influenced both by Roman and German law traditions.	Influenced by the Napoleonic Code , it also has some elements of Spain's legal tradition, starting with the Siete Partidas , a major legislative achievement from the Middle Ages. That body of law remained more or less unchanged until the 19th century, when the first civil codes were drafted, merging both the Napoleonic style with the Castilian traditions.
Executive branch > Elections	president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term) by a Federal Convention, including all members of the Federal Parliament (Bundestag) and an equal number of delegates elected by the state parliaments; election last held on 19 February 2012 (next to be held by June 2017); chancellor elected by an absolute majority of the Federal Parliament for a four-year term; Federal Parliament vote for Chancellor last held after 22 September 2013 (next to be held September 2017)	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 and Council of Ministers are appointed by the president
National symbol(s)	golden eagle	Pillars of Hercules
Flag description	three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and gold; these colors have played an important role in German history and can be traced back to the medieval banner of the Holy Roman Emperor - a black eagle with red claws and beak on a gold field	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
Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days	14.5 Ranked 103th.	23 Ranked 64th. 59% more than Germany
Country name > Conventional short form	Germany	Spain
Constitutional form	Republic	Constitutional monarchy
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International	none	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
Total businesses registered > Number	2.92 million Ranked 8th.	3.07 million Ranked 7th. 5% more than Germany
National anthem	<strong>name: </strong>"Das Lied der Deutschen" (Song of the Germans)<br /><strong>lyrics/music:</strong> August Heinrich HOFFMANN VON FALLERSLEBEN/Franz Joseph HAYDN	<strong>name: </strong>"Himno Nacional Espanol" (National Anthem of Spain)<br /><strong>lyrics/music:</strong> none/unknown
FAX	49	34
Legislative branch > Election results	Bundestag - percent of vote by party - CDU/CSU 41.5%, SPD 25.7%, Left 8.6%, Greens 8.4%, FDP 4.8%, other 11%; seats by party - CDU/CSU 311, SPD 192, Left 64, Greens 63	Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PP 136, PSOE 48, CiU 9, Entesa (PSC-PSOE) 7, EAJ/PNV 4, other 4, members appointed by regional legislatures 49; 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 1.3%, other 8.1%; seats by party - PP 186, PSOE 110, CiU 16, IU 11, Amaiur 7, UPyD 5, EAJ/PNV 5, other 10
Legislative branch > Elections	Bundestag - last held on 22 September 2013 (next to be held no later than autumn 2017); most all postwar German governments have been coalitions	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)
Democracy and rights > Press freedom index	10.24 Ranked 21st.	20.5 Ranked 11th. Twice as much as Germany
Parliament > Seats held by women > Percentage	32.9% Ranked 26th.	36% Ranked 20th. 9% more than Germany
Independence	18 January 1871 (establishment of the German Empire); divided into four zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and France) in 1945 following World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany) proclaimed on 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US, and French zones; German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) proclaimed on 7 October 1949 and included the former USSR zone; West Germany and East Germany unified on 3 October 1990; all four powers formally relinquished rights on 15 March 1991; notable earlier dates: 10 August 843 (Eastern Francia established from the division of the Carolingian Empire); 2 February 962 (crowning of OTTO I, recognized as the first Holy Roman Emperor)	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
Executive branch > Election results	Joachim GAUCK elected president; received 991 votes of the Federal Convention against 126 for Beate KLARSFELD and 3 for Olaf ROSE; Angela MERKEL reelected chancellor; vote by Federal Parliament 323 to 285 with four abstentions	Mariano RAJOY elected President of the Government; percent of vote - 44.62%
Judicial branch > Subordinate courts	Federal Administrative Court; Federal Finance Court; Federal Labor Court; Federal Social Court; each of the 16 German states or Land has its own constitutional court and a hierarchy of ordinary (civil, criminal, family) and specialized (administrative, finance, labor, social) courts	National Court; High Courts of Justice (in each of the autonomous communities); provincial courts; courts of first instance
Basis of executive legitimacy	Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence	Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence
Transnational Issues > Illicit drugs	source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for and consumer of Southwest Asian heroin, Latin American cocaine, and European-produced synthetic drugs; major financial center	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
Country name > Local short form	Deutschland	Espana
Democracy and rights > Freedom of the press	17 Ranked 174th.	24 Ranked 151st. 41% more than Germany
Corruption > Bribe Payers Index	8.6 Ranked 6th. 9% more than Spain	7.9 Ranked 11th.
Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament	31.8% Ranked 17th.	36% Ranked 9th. 13% more than Germany
Diplomatic representation from the US > Embassy	Clayallee 170, 14191 Berlin	Serrano 75, 28006 Madrid
Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number	9 Ranked 39th.	10 Ranked 34th. 11% more than Germany
Democracy and rights > Nationalist vote	1.5% Ranked 3rd. 38 times more than Spain	0.04% Ranked 15th.
Democracy > Civil and political liberties	5.5 Ranked 17th. The same as Spain	5.5 Ranked 23th.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$	518.82 billion$ Ranked 1st. 3 times more than Spain	200.13 billion$ Ranked 6th.
National holiday	Unity Day, 3 October	National Day, 12 October (1492); year when Columbus first set foot in the Americas
Capital > Geographic coordinates	52 31 N, 13 24 E	40 24 N, 3 41 W
Democracy > First female parliamentarian	1919 (elected)	1931 (elected)
Time required to start a business > Days	24 days Ranked 118th.	47 days Ranked 54th. 96% more than Germany
Democracy > Gender Parity Index in primary level enrolment	1 Ranked 25th. 2% more than Spain	0.98 Ranked 69th.
Judicial branch > Judge selection and term of office	Federal Court of Justice judges selected by the Judges Election Committee, which consists of the Secretaries of Justice from each of the 16 federated States and 16 members appointed by the Federal Parliament; judges appointed by the president of Germany; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 65; Federal Constitutional Court judges - one-half elected by the House of Representatives and one-half by the Senate; judges appointed for 12-year terms with mandatory retirement at age 68	Supreme Court judges appointed by the monarch from candidates proposed by the General Council of the Judicial Power, a 20-member body chaired by the monarch and includes presidential appointees, and lawyers and jurists elected by the National Assembly; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the monarch for 9-year terms
Democracy and rights > Democracy Index	8.34 Ranked 14th. 4% more than Spain	8.02 Ranked 21st.
Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient	4.9 Ranked 24th. 7% more than Spain	4.6 Ranked 39th.
Red tape > Time required to register property > Days	40 Ranked 82nd. 3 times more than Spain	12.5 Ranked 157th.
Politics	Angela Merkel of the conservative Christian Democrats won a third term as chancellor in 2013	PM Mariano Rajoy from the conservative Popular Party took office in late 2011. The recession is spurring secessionist sentiment in Catalonia
International law organization participation	accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction	accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Parliament > Seats held by men	416 Ranked 13th. 86% more than Spain	224 Ranked 43th.
Country name > Local long form	Bundesrepublik Deutschland	Reino de Espana
Red tape > Time to resolve insolvency > Years	1.2 Ranked 153th.	1.5 Ranked 146th. 25% more than Germany
Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million	0.11 Ranked 163th.	0.216 Ranked 147th. 97% more than Germany
Diplomatic representation from the US > Telephone	[49] (30) 48305-0	[34] (91) 587-2200
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chief of mission	Ambassador Niels Peter Georg AMMON (since 9 August 2011)	Ambassador Ramon Gil-Casares SATRUSTEGUI (since 5 June 2012)
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chancery	None	None
Diplomatic representation from the US > Chief of mission	Ambassador John B. EMERSON (since 7 August 2013)	Ambassador James COSTOS (since 22 August 2013)
Parliament > Seats held by women	204 Ranked 3rd. 62% more than Spain	126 Ranked 14th.
Democracy > Democratic institutions rating	10 Ranked 2nd. The same as Spain	10 Ranked 12th.
UN membership date	18 Sep. 1973	14 Dec. 1955
Democracy and rights > Democracy Index per million people	0.102 Ranked 30th.	0.174 Ranked 25th. 70% more than Germany
Total businesses registered > Number per 1000	35.32 Ranked 34th.	73.05 Ranked 15th. 2 times more than Germany
Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number	9 Ranked 163th. The same as Spain	9 Ranked 167th.
Capital city	Berlin	Madrid
Capital > Name	Berlin	Madrid
Legal origin	<a href=/country/gm>German</a>	<a href=/country/fr>French</a>
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per capita	6,291.01$ per capita Ranked 12th. 36% more than Spain	4,611.47$ per capita Ranked 17th.
Spending > Expense > Current LCU	717.25 billion Ranked 25th. 2 times more than Spain	287.71 billion Ranked 41st.
Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days	17 Ranked 188th.	85 Ranked 100th. 5 times more than Germany
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Registered voter turnout	79.1% Ranked 45th. 15% more than Spain	68.7% Ranked 79th.
Legislature (parliament) > People per member	118,671 Ranked 23th. 57% more than Spain	75,418 Ranked 44th.
Democracy and rights > Year women first voted at national level	1918	1931
Capital > Time difference	UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)	UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
International relations	Germany is a major player in Europe and a proponent of European integration. It is the third biggest troop supplier in Afghanistan	Spanish forces have taken part in multilateral missions and peacekeeping, including in Afghanistan. Spain claims sovereignty over the British overseas territory of Gibraltar
Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days per million	0.208 Ranked 185th.	2.19 Ranked 157th. 11 times more than Germany
Legislature (parliament) > Upper house members	69 Ranked 34th.	259 Ranked 6th. 4 times more than Germany
Legislature (parliament) > Lower house members	622 Ranked 6th. 78% more than Spain	350 Ranked 31st.
Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days	394 Ranked 158th.	510 Ranked 110th. 29% more than Germany
Democracy > Female parliamentarians	31% Ranked 8th. 17% more than Spain	26.6% Ranked 13th.
Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number	5 Ranked 103th. The same as Spain	5 Ranked 118th.
Role of head of state	Ceremonial	Ceremonial
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ per capita	6,291.01$ Ranked 12th. 36% more than Spain	4,611.47$ Ranked 17th.
Democracy and rights > Nationalist party (percent of vote)	1.5% Ranked 3rd. 38 times more than Spain	0.04% Ranked 15th.
Start-up procedures to register a business > Number	9 Ranked 82nd.	10 Ranked 69th. 11% more than Germany
Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient per million	0.0598 Ranked 124th.	0.0995 Ranked 112th. 66% more than Germany
Strength of legal rights index > 0=weak to 10=strong	7 Ranked 41st. 17% more than Spain	6 Ranked 75th.
Spending > Compensation of employees > Current LCU	39.56 billion Ranked 43th. 53% more than Spain	25.82 billion Ranked 50th.
Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > Current LCU	581.96 billion Ranked 16th. 3 times more than Spain	226.76 billion Ranked 30th.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per $ GDP	0.186$ per $1 of GDP Ranked 43th. 4% more than Spain	0.178$ per $1 of GDP Ranked 49th.
Parliament > Seats held by women per million people	2.51 Ranked 111th.	2.66 Ranked 104th. 6% more than Germany
Foreign relations > Nepal > Date of Establishment	April 4, 1958	May 13, 1968
Democracy > Female suffrage	1918	1931
Political pressure groups and leaders > Other	business associations and employers' organizations; religious, trade unions, immigrant, expellee, and veterans groups	business and landowning interests; Catholic Church; free labor unions (authorized in April 1977); university students
Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days	97 Ranked 149th.	230 Ranked 36th. 2 times more than Germany
Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Syrian National Council	Verbal support Rejection of Assad government Informal relations	Recognised on 23 November 2011 (as representative of Syrian people)
Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days per million	0.177 Ranked 169th.	0.606 Ranked 136th. 3 times more than Germany
Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million	0.366 Ranked 176th.	0.865 Ranked 157th. 2 times more than Germany
Red tape > Time required to register property > Days per million	0.488 Ranked 152nd. 81% more than Spain	0.27 Ranked 168th.
Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days per million	1.18 Ranked 175th.	4.98 Ranked 144th. 4 times more than Germany
Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million	0.11 Ranked 173th.	0.195 Ranked 165th. 77% more than Germany
Capital > Daylight saving time	+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October	+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Total businesses registered > Number > Per capita	35.32 per 1,000 people Ranked 34th.	73.05 per 1,000 people Ranked 15th. 2 times more than Germany
Spending > Interest payments > Current LCU	41.34 billion Ranked 27th. 3 times more than Spain	12.98 billion Ranked 39th.
Democracy and rights > Major left wing party	Social Democratic Party	Partido Socialista Obrero Espa\u00f1ol
Democracy and rights > Votes for nationalist parties	635,525 Ranked 10th. 69 times more than Spain	9,266 Ranked 39th.
Foreign relations > Diplomatic representation in the US > Ambassador	Ammon, Peter Peter Ammon	de Mazarredo, Jorge Dezcallar Jorge Dezcallar de Mazarredo
Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons > Stateless persons per thousand people	0.0694 Ranked 42nd. 89 times more than Spain	0.000779 Ranked 59th.
Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons > Stateless persons	5,683 Ranked 22nd. 158 times more than Spain	36 Ranked 57th.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ > Per capita	4,402.8 constant 2000 US$ per c Ranked 13th. 52% more than Spain	2,900.75 constant 2000 US$ per c Ranked 15th.
Time required to build a warehouse > Days	133 days Ranked 128th.	277 days Ranked 31st. 2 times more than Germany
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population	66.31 million Ranked 8th. 2 times more than Spain	31.63 million Ranked 22nd.
Failed States Index	29.7 Ranked 20th.	44.4 Ranked 8th. 49% more than Germany
Democracy > Female candidacy	1,918 Ranked 145th.	1,931 Ranked 119th. 1% more than Germany
Trademarks > Nonresidents > Per capita	0.041 per 1,000 people Ranked 45th.	0.048 per 1,000 people Ranked 44th. 17% more than Germany
Trademarks > Nonresidents per 1000	0.0405 Ranked 46th.	0.0482 Ranked 44th. 19% more than Germany
Foreign relations > Croatia > Date of Establishment	January 15, 1992	March 9, 1992
Parties in the European Council during 2011 > Leaders > 1 January 2011 > Votes	29 Ranked 2nd. 7% more than Spain	27 Ranked 4th.
National anthem > Name	"Lied der Deutschen" (Song of the Germans)	"Himno Nacional Espanol" (National Anthem of Spain)
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voter registration	61.43 million Ranked 9th. 81% more than Spain	33.97 million Ranked 19th.
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Total vote	48.58 million Ranked 8th. 2 times more than Spain	23.34 million Ranked 17th.
Start-up procedures to register a business > Number > Per capita	0.109 per 1 million people Ranked 154th.	0.23 per 1 million people Ranked 141st. 2 times more than Germany
Time required to enforce a contract > Days	394 days Ranked 113th.	515 days Ranked 75th. 31% more than Germany
Parties in the European Council during 2010 > Leaders > 1 January 2010 > European party	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>
Procedures to register property > Number	4 Ranked 127th. 33% more than Spain	3 Ranked 151st.
Procedures to build a warehouse > Number	11 Ranked 149th. The same as Spain	11 Ranked 154th.
Key ministers > Defence	Peter Struck (<a href=/encyclopedia/Social-Democratic-Party-of-Germany>SPD</a>)	Jose Bono
Council of EU > 2005 > Country votes	29 Ranked 2nd. 7% more than Spain	27 Ranked 5th.
Democracy > Jew > Legal equality granted > Year	1871	1910
Foreign relations > International recognition of the Syrian National Council notes	In a 6 August 2011 interview, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle remarked that "I don't believe that Assad has a political future ahead of him which is supported by the Syrian people". The German foreign ministry is reportedly in talks with the Syrian opposition. In November 2011, a Syrian National Council delegation met with Westerwelle and other high level foreign policy decision makers to brief them on developments in Syria. Westerwelle said "we cannot remain quiet to the human rights violations in Syria.\u201d He then lauded the efforts of the National Council and discussed future cooperation with the SNC regarding the transition phase to democracy.	Spanish Foreign Minister Trinidad Jim\u00e9nez confirmed that the Spanish government will look to SNC to discuss issues concerning Syria, and that the channels of dialogue with the Syrian regime have been closed. Jim\u00e9nez said "Spain support for the SNC as the main interlocutor of the Syrian people, who are seeking freedom and democracy".
Parties in the European Council during 1999 > Leaders > January 1 > 1999 > Votes	10 Ranked 3rd. 25% more than Spain	8 Ranked 4th.
Democracy and rights > Major right wing party	Christian Democratic Union	Partido Popular
Legislature (parliament) > Total members of parliament	691 Ranked 10th. 13% more than Spain	609 Ranked 17th.
Stabilisation and Association process > Croatia	18.10.2002	4.10.2002
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current LCU	417180000000	160924000000
Stabilisation and Association process > Stabilisation and Association process > Republic of > Macedonia	20.6.2002	4.10.2002
Spending > Interest payments > % of revenue	5.81% Ranked 39th. 22% more than Spain	4.75% Ranked 43th.
Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > % of expense	81.14% Ranked 1st. 3% more than Spain	78.82% Ranked 4th.
Time to prepare and pay taxes > Hours	105 hours Ranked 146th.	602 hours Ranked 19th. 6 times more than Germany
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$	363.1 billion constant 2000 US$ Ranked 1st. 3 times more than Spain	125.89 billion constant 2000 US$ Ranked 6th.
Procedures to register property > Number > Per capita	0.049 per 1 million people Ranked 155th.	0.069 per 1 million people Ranked 153th. 41% more than Germany
Procedures to enforce a contract > Number > Per capita	0.364 per 1 million people Ranked 154th.	0.528 per 1 million people Ranked 148th. 45% more than Germany
Spending > Goods and services expense > Current LCU	36.2 billion Ranked 38th. 3 times more than Spain	12.24 billion Ranked 51st.
Republic establishment date	November 9, 1918	April 14, 1931
Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments > %	36.5% Ranked 20th. 1% more than Spain	36% Ranked 21st.
Key ministers > Justice	Brigitte Zypries (<a href=/encyclopedia/Social-Democratic-Party-of-Germany>SPD</a>)	Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar
Council of Europe > Date joined	7/13/1950	11/24/1977
Management time dealing with officials > % of management time	4.5% Ranked 15th. 5 times more than Spain	0.83% Ranked 37th.
Parties in the European Council during 2006 > Leaders > January 1 > 2006 > Votes	29 Ranked 2nd. 7% more than Spain	27 Ranked 4th.
Parties in the European Council during 2005 > Leaders > January 1 > 2005 > Leader	Gerhard SchrÃ‡Ã´der	JosÃ‡Â¸ Luis RodrÃ‡Ã°guez Zapatero
Parties in the European Council during 2002 > Leaders > January 1 > 2002 > Votes	10 Ranked 3rd. 25% more than Spain	8 Ranked 4th.
Parties in the European Council during 2011 > Leaders > 1 January 2011 > National party	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Democratic_Union_%28Germany%29">CDU</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Socialist_Workers%27_Party">PSOE</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2010 > Leaders > 1 January 2010 > National party	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Democratic_Union_%28Germany%29">CDU</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Socialist_Workers%27_Party">PSOE</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2008 > Leaders > January 1 > 2008 > European party	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>
Diplomatic representation from the US > FAX	[49] (30) 8305-1215	[34] (91) 587-2303
Parties in the European Council during 2007 > Leaders > January 1 > 2007 > European party	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2009 > Leaders > January 1 > 2009 > Leader	Angela Merkel	JosÃ‡Â¸ Luis RodrÃ‡Ã°guez Zapatero
Parties in the European Council during 2008 > Leaders > January 1 > 2008 > Votes	29 Ranked 2nd. 7% more than Spain	27 Ranked 4th.
Parties in the European Council during 2000 > Leaders > January 1 > 2000 > Leader	Gerhard SchrÃ‡Ã´der	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Mar%C3%ADa_Aznar">JosÃ‡Â¸ MarÃ‡Ã°a Aznar LÃ‡Ã¼pez</a>
Parties in the European Council between January and April 2004 > Leaders > January 1 > 2004 > Leader	Gerhard SchrÃ‡Ã´der	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Mar%C3%ADa_Aznar">JosÃ‡Â¸ MarÃ‡Ã°a Aznar LÃ‡Ã¼pez</a>
National anthem > Note	adopted 1922, restored 1990; the anthem, also known as "Deutschlandlied" (Song of Germany), was abolished in 1945 because of the Nazi's use of the first verse, specifically the phrase, "Deutschland, Deutschland uber alles" (Germany, Germany above all) to promote nationalism; since restoration in 1990, only the third verse is sung	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
Diplomatic representation in the US > FAX	[1] (202) 298-4261	[1] (202) 833-5670
Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number	30 Ranked 164th.	40 Ranked 69th. 33% more than Germany
Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number per million	0.0611 Ranked 172nd.	0.108 Ranked 161st. 77% more than Germany
Red tape > Management time dealing with officials > % of management time	1.2% Ranked 34th. 50% more than Spain	0.8% Ranked 37th.
Capital city > Time difference	UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)	UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Key ministers > Interior	Otto Schily (<a href=/encyclopedia/Social-Democratic-Party-of-Germany>SPD</a>)	Jose Antonio Alonso
Diplomatic representation from the US > Consulate(s) general	Duesseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich	Barcelona
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant LCU	394104700000	136637700000
Parties in the European Council during 2002 > Leaders > January 1 > 2002 > Leader	Gerhard SchrÃ‡Ã´der	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Mar%C3%ADa_Aznar">JosÃ‡Â¸ MarÃ‡Ã°a Aznar LÃ‡Ã¼pez</a>
Policy uncertainty > % of managers surveyed ranking this as a major business constraint	5.77% Ranked 33th.	10.12% Ranked 29th. 75% more than Germany
Council of EU > 2007 > Country votes	29 Ranked 2nd. 7% more than Spain	27 Ranked 5th.
Council of EU > 2003 > Country votes	10 Ranked 4th. 25% more than Spain	8 Ranked 5th.
Trademarks > Residents > Per capita	0.758 per 1,000 people Ranked 17th.	1.24 per 1,000 people Ranked 7th. 63% more than Germany
Council of EU > 2005 > Country leader	Gerhard SchrÃ¶der	JosÃ© Luis RodrÃguez Zapatero
Council of EU > 2007 > Country leader	Angela Merkel	JosÃ© Luis RodrÃguez Zapatero
Spending > Other expense > Current LCU	26.66 billion Ranked 31st. 68% more than Spain	15.85 billion Ranked 36th.
Parties in the European Council during 2010 > Leaders > 1 January 2010 > Leader	Angela Merkel	JosÃ‡Â¸ Luis RodrÃ‡Ã°guez Zapatero
Parties in the European Council during 2011 > Leaders > 1 January 2011 > Leader	Angela Merkel	JosÃ‡Â¸ Luis RodrÃ‡Ã°guez Zapatero
Council of EU > 2002 > Country leader	Gerhard SchrÃ¶der	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Mar%C3%ADa_Aznar">JosÃ© MarÃa Aznar LÃ³pez</a>
Council of EU > 2001 > Country leader	Gerhard SchrÃ¶der	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Mar%C3%ADa_Aznar">JosÃ© MarÃa Aznar LÃ³pez</a>
Council of EU > 2002 > European party of leader	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a>
Trademarks > Residents per million	758.35 Ranked 17th.	1,234.85 Ranked 7th. 63% more than Germany
Time to resolve insolvency > Years	1.2 years Ranked 132nd. 20% more than Spain	1 years Ranked 139th.
Procedures to register property > Number per million	0.0486 Ranked 154th.	0.068 Ranked 152nd. 40% more than Germany
Council of EU > 2001 > Country votes	10 Ranked 4th. 25% more than Spain	8 Ranked 5th.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Annual % growth	0.1% Ranked 101st.	4.5% Ranked 42nd. 45 times more than Germany
Time required to register property > Days	40 days Ranked 100th. 2 times more than Spain	17 days Ranked 137th.
Trademarks > Nonresidents	3,342 Ranked 16th. 62% more than Spain	2,059 Ranked 19th.
Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million	0.364 Ranked 153th.	0.521 Ranked 148th. 43% more than Germany
Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million	0.109 Ranked 154th.	0.227 Ranked 141st. 2 times more than Germany
Procedures to build a warehouse > Number > Per capita	0.133 per 1 million people Ranked 157th.	0.253 per 1 million people Ranked 150th. 90% more than Germany
Procedures to enforce a contract > Number	30 Ranked 98th. 30% more than Spain	23 Ranked 141st.
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population per 1000	803.47 Ranked 11th. 7% more than Spain	753.05 Ranked 33th.
FAX > Consulate(s) general	Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich	Barcelona
Parties in the European Council during 1999 > Leaders > January 1 > 1999 > Leader	Gerhard SchrÃ‡Ã´der	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Mar%C3%ADa_Aznar">JosÃ‡Â¸ MarÃ‡Ã°a Aznar LÃ‡Ã¼pez</a>
Council of EU > 2006 > Country votes	29 Ranked 2nd. 7% more than Spain	27 Ranked 5th.
Parties in the European Council during 1999 > Leaders > January 1 > 1999 > European party	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a>
Council of EU > January–April 2004 > European party of leader	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a>
Democracy and rights > Democratic socialist parties which have governed	Social Democratic Party of Germany	Spanish Socialist Workers' Party
Democracy and rights > Democratic socialist party, years in power	1969-1982, 1998-2005, 2005-2009 (coalition)	1982-1996, 2004-2011
Council of EU > 2007 > European party of leader	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>
Council of EU > 2005 > European party of leader	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>
Diplomatic representation in the US > Consulate(s) general	Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco	Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Invalid votes	1.2% Ranked 82nd. 71% more than Spain	0.7% Ranked 97th.
Diplomatic representation in the US > Telephone	[1] (202) 298-4000	[1] (202) 452-0100, 728-2340
Legislature (parliament) > Term of office for lower house members	4 Ranked 107th. The same as Spain	4 Ranked 136th.
Parties in the European Council during 2010 > Leaders > 1 January 2010 > Votes	29 Ranked 2nd. 7% more than Spain	27 Ranked 4th.
Spending > Goods and services expense > % of expense	5.05% Ranked 83th. 19% more than Spain	4.25% Ranked 84th.
Parties in the European Council during 2005 > Leaders > January 1 > 2005 > European party	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2003 > Leaders > January 1 > 2003 > European party	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2005 > Leaders > January 1 > 2005 > Votes	29 Ranked 2nd. 7% more than Spain	27 Ranked 4th.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ per capita	4,402.8 constant 2000 US$ Ranked 13th. 52% more than Spain	2,900.75 constant 2000 US$ Ranked 15th.
Democracy and rights > Last election	September 2013	November 2011
Parliament > Seats held by men per million people	5.13 Ranked 158th. 8% more than Spain	4.73 Ranked 162nd.
Democracy and rights > Next election	September 2017	December 2015
Spending > Compensation of employees > % of expense	5.52% Ranked 87th.	8.98% Ranked 81st. 63% more than Germany
Spending > Interest payments > % of expense	5.76% Ranked 39th. 28% more than Spain	4.51% Ranked 44th.
Spending > Other expense > % of expense	3.72% Ranked 60th.	5.51% Ranked 49th. 48% more than Germany
Ruling party	Christian Democrat	People's Party
Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million	0.134 Ranked 156th.	0.249 Ranked 150th. 87% more than Germany
Spending > Expense > % of GDP	28.74% Ranked 46th. 9% more than Spain	26.43% Ranked 48th.
Foreign relations > Recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia	Chancellor Angela Merkel said, "this contradicts the principle of territorial integrity, a principle based on the international law of nations and for this reason it is unacceptable".	Foreign Minister Miguel \u00c1ngel Moratinos said that the government of Spain regrets the decision of Russia. He also said that this decision by Moscow is "unacceptable" and "not conducive to creating the conditions necessary for settlement of the conflict between Russia and Georgia". Moratinos reiterated the "need to fully respect the principles of international law, in particular the territorial integrity of states, in this case, of Georgia." In addition, he recalled that this is the stance that "Spain has always maintained", an allusion to the opposition of the Spanish government to recognition of the Kosovo independence.
Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days per million	4.81 Ranked 176th.	11.03 Ranked 161st. 2 times more than Germany
European Union > Council of the European Union votes	29 Ranked 2nd. 7% more than Spain	27 Ranked 5th.
Trademarks > Residents	62,576 Ranked 5th. 19% more than Spain	52,718 Ranked 6th.

SOURCES: CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 28 March 2011; CIA World Factbooks 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013; Wikipedia: List of national legal systems (Civil law); World Bank, Doing Business project (http://www.doingbusiness.org/).; Wikipedia: List of countries by system of government (Alphabetical list of countries); All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008; World Development Indicators database; Wikipedia: Censorship by country (Censorship by country) ("Press Freedom Index 2013" , Reporters Without Borders, 30 January 2013); United Nations Statistics Division; "2012 Freedom of the Press Data" , Freedom House, 1 May 2012; Wikipedia: Bribe Payers Index; Wikipedia: List of active nationalist parties in Europe (National); Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2000-2001, New York: Freedom House, 2001; IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union). 1995. Women in Parliaments 1945-1995: A World Statistical Survey. Geneva and IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union). 2001. 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World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; International Monetary Fund, Government Finance Statistics Yearbook and data files, and World Bank and OECD GDP estimates.; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_recognition_of_Abkhazia_and_South_Ossetia#States_that_do_not_recognise_Abkhazia_or_South_Ossetia_as_independent; "Council of the European Union" . Council of the European Union.

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