The Autonomous Communities and Administrative Divisions of Spain

The Autonomous Communities of Spain

The Spanish Constitution of 1979 led Spain to be organized into different autonomous communities. Between 1980 and 1985, the 17 autonomous communities that exist today were established. In 1995, the statutes of autonomous cities were approved for the two Spanish cities in North Africa: Ceuta and Melilla.

Spain's Provincial Organization

Spain has 50 provinces belonging to the different autonomous communities according to their geography, cultural characteristics, and common history. There are also the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla.

For historical reasons, some of these provinces are not located within the autonomous communities they belong to. For example, Condado de Treviño belongs to Burgos, but it is located in Álava. Also, the name of the province is usually the same as its capital, but with some exceptions, such as La Rioja (Logroño). The provinces are political entities and elect the deputies and senators in the Spanish Cortes.

District Organization

A district is a territorial unit smaller than a province, often including several municipalities. There are natural districts such as La Vera, El Bierzo, etc.

Autonomous communities can create districts, and some have organized their territories into districts, for example, Catalonia (called comarques) and Zaragoza (Santa Isabel). Their responsibilities include cultural and sports activities, tourism, and civil and forest protection.

Municipalities

Municipalities are the smallest administrative units, governed by mayors and councilors who are elected by the inhabitants of the municipality. Spain has 8,127 municipalities. The number of municipalities in a province varies, as does their size and population.

Spain's Autonomous Communities: Political and Administrative Organization

According to the Constitution of 1978, Spain is organized for political and administrative purposes into autonomous communities, provinces, and municipalities. The capital of the country is Madrid.

Institutions and Jurisdictions of the Autonomous Communities

The institutions and jurisdictions of the autonomous communities are established by the Spanish Constitution and their own Statutes of Autonomy. The objective is to provide citizens with public services through a decentralized government.

Governing Bodies and Representatives

Representative Bodies:

• Autonomous Community Parliament
• Provincial Council

Governing Bodies:

The President and the Councilors form the Governing Council of each autonomous community. The President of the autonomous community is the highest office.

Other Governing Bodies:

• High Court of Justice
• Local Government Ombudsman
• Presidents of the Provincial Councils

The representative in the national government is the Government Delegate and the Sub-delegate.