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58-586: The Monegros Desert spans the provinces of Zaragoza and Huesca in the region of Aragón , including the comarca of Monegros in Huesca. Part of the desert lies in the Ebro Valley . The desert covers about 276,440 hectares (683,100 acres) and consists of 49 villages in 31 municipalities. The highest point of the Monegros Desert is Monte Oscuro , at an altitude of 822 metres (2,697 ft). Much of

116-548: A federation , even though in many respects the country can be compared to countries which are undeniably federal. The unique resulting system is referred to as "Autonomous state", or more precisely "State of Autonomies". With the implementation of the Autonomous Communities, Spain went from being one of the most centralized countries in the OECD to being one of the most decentralized; in particular, it has been

174-563: A "Statute of Autonomy" during the Second Spanish Republic (1931–1936). Otherwise, the constitution required the approval of three-fourths of the municipalities involved whose population would be at least the majority of the electoral census of each province, and required the ratification through a referendum with the affirmative vote of the absolute majority of the electoral census of each province (that is, of all registered citizens, not only of those who would vote). While

232-461: A co-official language in Catalonia, making it the only autonomous community whose name has three official variants (Spanish: Cataluña , Catalan: Catalunya , Occitan: Catalonha ). PP (Since July 2024) PP (Since July 2024) PP (Since July 2024) PP (Since July 2024) PP (Since July 2024) RA: Regionally Appointed DE: Directly Elected DE: Directly Elected Spain

290-704: A federal system in all but name, or a "federation without federalism". The official names of the autonomous communities can be in Spanish only (which applies to the majority of them), in the co-official language in the community only (as in the Valencian Community and the Balearic Islands), or in both Spanish and the co-official language (as in the Basque Country, Navarre and Galicia). Since 2006, Occitan —in its Aranese dialect —is also

348-490: A golf course, a race track and a bullring planned, despite the region suffering from water and oil issues. The main roads of access are the N-II and AP-2, and it is also connected by rail. The Monegros Desert is noted for its Monegros Desert Festival, usually held in mid-July, attracting numerous Spaniards and internationally renowned DJs and bands and some 40,000 people to its electronic music performances annually. Formerly called

406-409: A provisional period of 5 years, after which they could assume further powers, upon negotiation with the central government. However, the constitution did not explicitly establish an institutional framework for these communities. They could have established a parliamentary system like the "historical nationalities", or they could have not assumed any legislative powers and simply established mechanisms for

464-598: A uniform decentralization of entities with the same powers and an asymmetrical structure that would distinguish the nationalities. Peripheral nationalist parties wanted a multinational state with a federal or confederal model, whereas the governing Union of the Democratic Centre (UCD) and the People's Alliance (AP) wanted minimum decentralization; the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)

522-703: A variety of local customs, laws, languages and currencies until the mid 19th century. From the 18th century onwards, the Bourbon kings and the government tried to establish a more centralized regime. Leading figures of the Spanish Enlightenment advocated for the building of a Spanish nation beyond the internal territorial boundaries. This culminated in 1833, when Spain was divided into 49 (now 50) provinces , which served mostly as transmission belts for policies developed in Madrid. Spanish history since

580-448: Is a province of northern Spain , in the central part of the autonomous community of Aragon . Its capital is the city of Zaragoza , which is also the capital of the autonomous community. Other towns in the province include La Almunia de Doña Godina , Borja , Calatayud , Caspe , Ejea de los Caballeros , Tarazona , and Utebo . Its area is 17,274 km² , which makes it the fourth-largest Spanish province by land area. Its population

638-555: Is a diverse country made up of several different regions with varying economic and social structures, as well as different languages and historical, political and cultural traditions. While the entire Spanish territory was united under one crown in 1479, this was not a process of national homogenization or amalgamation. The constituent territories—be they crowns, kingdoms, principalities or dominions—retained much of their former institutional existence, including limited legislative, judicial or fiscal autonomy. These territories also exhibited

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696-866: Is bordered by the provinces of Lleida , Tarragona , Teruel , Guadalajara , Soria , La Rioja , Navarre , and Huesca . The southern and western side of the province is in the mountainous Sistema Ibérico area and includes its highest point, the Moncayo , while the northern end reaches the Pre-Pyrenees . The Ebro River crosses the province from west to east. Comarcas in the Zaragoza province: The following comarcas having their capital in Huesca Province include municipal terms within Zaragoza Province: The historical population

754-457: Is given in the following chart: Autonomous communities of Spain Spanish : comunidad autónoma Aragonese : comunidat autonoma Asturian : comunidá autónoma Basque : autonomia erkidegoa Catalan : comunitat autònoma Galician : comunidade autónoma Occitan : comunautat autonòma The autonomous communities ( Spanish : comunidad autónoma ) are

812-491: Is vested in the nation as a whole, represented in the central institutions of government, the nation has, to varying degrees, devolved power to the communities. This unique framework of territorial administration has been labeled by the Constitutional Court as the "State of Autonomous Communities", to avoid implying either a unitary or federal model. Some scholars have referred to the resulting system as

870-634: The Generalitat , Catalonia's mediaeval institution of government, was restored. The constitution of 1931 envisaged a territorial division for all Spain in "autonomous regions", which was never fully attained—only Catalonia , the Basque Country and Galicia had approved " Statutes of Autonomy "—the process being thwarted by the Spanish Civil War that broke out in 1936, and the victory of the rebel Nationalist forces under Francisco Franco . During General Franco's dictatorial regime , centralism

928-707: The biodiversity in the steppe ecosystem of the Monegros of the Aragon region envisages habitat improvements for steppe birds and related plant life. Improvements in irrigation are planned. However the setting up of a casino may adversely affect conservation efforts. The Aragon Steppes are cited as the largest habitat for bird communities in Spain. Highly endangered are great and little bustards , Eurasian stone-curlew , lesser kestrel , Montagu's harrier and Dupont's lark , as these species are directly threatened by changes in

986-552: The "Groove Parade" after being founded in 1992, it is held at the Finca Les Peñetes , roughly 18 kilometres (11 mi) west of Fraga , not far from Bujaraloz . It is held in a windowless, graffiti-filled hall called Flarida, with an area of some 3,000 square metres (32,000 sq ft). Zaragoza (province) Zaragoza ( Spanish pronunciation: [θaɾaˈɣoθa] ), also called Saragossa in English ,

1044-461: The "nationalities". After a massive rally in support of autonomy, a referendum was organized for Andalusia to attain autonomy through the strict requirements of article 151, or the "fast route"—with UCD calling for abstention, and the main party in opposition in Parliament, the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) calling for a vote in favour. These requirements were not met, as in one of

1102-479: The "norm", was established in article 143. This route could be taken—via the first transitory disposition—by the "pre-autonomic regimes" that had been constituted in 1978, while the constitution was still being drafted, if approved by two-thirds of all municipalities involved whose population would sum up to at least the majority of the electoral census of each province or insular territory. These communities would assume limited powers ( Spanish : competencias ) during

1160-562: The "pre-autonomic regime" of Castile and León—were granted autonomy as single provinces with historical identity, a move supported by the majority of their populations. The "autonomic pacts" give both Cantabria and La Rioja the option of being incorporated into Castile and León in the future, and required that the Statutes of Autonomy of all three communities include such a provision. León, a historical kingdom and historical region of Spain, once joined to Old Castile to form Castile and León,

1218-467: The Canary Islands in that, although they took the "slow route", through the subsequent approval of specific organic laws, they were to assume full autonomy in less than 5 years, since they had started a process towards the "fast route" prior to the approval of the "autonomic pacts". On the other hand, Cantabria and La Rioja, although originally part of Old Castile —and both originally included in

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1276-508: The Constitution not setting a mandatory legislative chamber framework, all autonomous communities have chosen unicameralism . All such governments have legislative and executive branches of government but not judicial. The Spanish model is generally considered by foreign political scientists and scholars as "a federal system with certain peculiarities". However it is also described as a decentralised unitary country. While sovereignty

1334-399: The Parliament approved an amendment to the law that regulated referendums, and used a prerogative of article 144c of the constitution, both actions which combined would allow Andalusia to take the fast route. They also agreed that no other region would take the "fast route", but that all regions would establish a parliamentary system with all institutions of government. This opened a phase that

1392-632: The above criteria, in that the Spanish Parliament could: The constitution also established two "routes" to accede to autonomy. The "fast route" or "fast track", also called the "exception", was established in article 151, and was implicitly reserved for the three "historical nationalities" — Catalonia , the Basque Country and Galicia , regions with strong regional identities —in that the very strict requirements to opt for this route were waived for those territories that had approved

1450-498: The administration of the powers they were granted. The constitution also explicitly established that the institutional framework for these communities would be a parliamentary system , with a Legislative Assembly elected by universal suffrage , a cabinet or "council of government", a president of such a council, elected by the Assembly, and a High Court of Justice. They were also granted a maximum level of devolved powers. While

1508-464: The approval of the Spanish Parliament, which would exercise its prerogatives to grant autonomy to other entities besides provinces. However one aspect of this asymmetry in powers between regions is a cause of friction, namely that the Basque-speaking areas ( Basque Country and Navarra ) can raise their own taxes and negotiate a transfer to Madrid to pay for common services and hence, unlike

1566-463: The autonomous communities were created, Article 145 prohibits the "federation of autonomous communities". This was understood as any agreement between communities that would produce an alteration to the political and territorial equilibrium that would cause a confrontation between different blocks of communities, an action incompatible with the principle of solidarity and the unity of the nation. The so-called "additional" and "transitory" dispositions of

1624-446: The cities of Ceuta and Melilla were constituted as "autonomous cities" without legislative powers, but with an autonomous assembly not subordinated to any other province or community. The creation of the autonomous communities was a diverse process, that started with the constitution, was normalized with the autonomic pacts and was completed with the Statutes of Autonomy. It is, however, an ongoing process; further devolution—or even

1682-412: The constitution allowed for some exceptions to the above-mentioned framework. In terms of territorial organization, the fifth transitory disposition established that the cities of Ceuta and Melilla , Spanish exclaves located on the northern coast of Africa, could be constituted as "autonomous communities" if the absolute majority of the members of their city councils would agree on such a motion, and with

1740-460: The constitution did not establish how many autonomous communities were to be created, on 31 July 1981, Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo , then the prime minister of Spain and Felipe González , leader of the opposition in Parliament, signed the " First Autonomic Pacts " ( Primeros pactos autonómicos in Spanish), in which they agreed to the creation of 17 autonomous communities and two autonomous cities, with

1798-539: The constitution was still being drafted, and self-government seemed likely to be granted only to the "historical nationalities", there was a popular outcry in Andalusia , demanding self-government as well, which led to the creation of a quicker process for that region, which eventually self-identified as a "historical nationality" as well. In the end, the right to self-government was extended to any other region that wanted it. The "slow route" or "slow track", also called

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1856-719: The country where the incomes and outcomes of the decentralized bodies (the Autonomous Communities) has grown the most, leading this rank in Europe by 2015 and being fifth among OECD countries in tax devolution (after Canada, Switzerland, the United States and Austria). By means of the State of Autonomies implemented after the Spanish Constitution of 1978, Spain has been quoted to be "remarkable for

1914-482: The demands of the peripheral nationalists. The Prime Minister of Spain , Adolfo Suárez , met with Josep Tarradellas , president of the Generalitat of Catalonia in exile. They agreed to restore the Generalitat and transfer limited powers while the constitution was still being written. Shortly after, the government allowed the creation of "assemblies of members of parliament" made up of deputies and senators of

1972-415: The difference between "nation" and "nationality"; and it does not specify which are the "nationalities" and which are the "regions", or the territories they comprise. Rather than imposing, it enables a process towards a decentralized structure based on the exercise that these "nationalities and regions" would make of the right to self-government that they were granted. As such, the outcome of this exercise

2030-425: The different territories of Spain, so that they could constitute "pre-autonomic regimes" for their regions as well. The Fathers of the Constitution had to strike a balance between the opposing views of Spain—on the one hand, the centralist view inherited from monarchist and nationalist elements of Spanish society, and on the other hand federalism and a pluralistic view of Spain as a "nation of nations"; between

2088-478: The eight provinces, Almería , votes in favour — although the plurality — did not amount to half of the electoral census as required. Yet, in general, the results of the referendum had been clear and unequivocal. After several months of discussion, the then prime minister of Spain, Adolfo Suárez and the leader of the opposition , Felipe González , reached an agreement to resolve the Andalusian issue, whereby

2146-578: The first-level administrative divisions of Spain , created in accordance with the Spanish Constitution of 1978 , with the aim of guaranteeing limited autonomy to the nationalities and regions that make up Spain. There are 17 autonomous communities and two autonomous cities ( Ceuta and Melilla ) that are collectively known as " autonomies ". The two autonomous cities have the right to become autonomous communities. The autonomous communities exercise their right to self-government within

2204-470: The indissoluble unity of the Spanish Nation, the common and indivisible homeland of all Spaniards; it recognizes and guarantees the right to self-government of the nationalities and regions of which it is composed and the solidarity among them all. The constitution was rather ambiguous on how this was to take place. It does not define, detail, or impose the structure of the state; it does not tell

2262-439: The landscape topography varies between 200 feet (61 m) and 300 feet (91 m) and is relatively flat semi-desert, with habitats of shrub-steppes prone to frequent droughts with high temperatures with hardly any rainfall (about 350 mm per year / 13.78 inches). Deserted farms and farm houses and juniperous woods are also seen in scattered locations. The environment requires plants that can endure salinity and dryness. Though

2320-528: The late 19th century has been shaped by a dialectical struggle between Spanish nationalism and peripheral nationalisms, mostly in Catalonia and the Basque Country, and to a lesser degree in Galicia . In a response to Catalan demands, limited autonomy was granted to the Commonwealth of Catalonia in 1914, only to be abolished in 1925. It was granted again in 1932 during the Second Spanish Republic , when

2378-458: The limits set forth in the constitution and organic laws known as Statutes of Autonomy , which broadly define the powers that they assume. Each statute sets out the devolved powers ( Spanish : competencia ) for each community; typically those communities with stronger local nationalism have more powers, and this type of devolution has been called asymmetrical which is on the whole seen as advantageous, able to respond to diversity. Despite

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2436-582: The natural habitat of the region included shrub-steppe and juniper , cereal grasses have become replacements. Lesser kestrel frequent the area; they nest in caves spread across 250 square kilometres (97 sq mi) of the Monegros Desert. The area is protected as part of the Natura 2000 network. Two LIFE projects co‑financed by the European Commission have targeted the Monegros area, at least partially. The Monegros Desert contains

2494-417: The other regions, do not contribute to fiscal equalisation across Spain. These two regions or communities are known as "chartered" territories, In all other communities, all taxes are levied and collected by or for the central government and then redistributed among all. The Statutes of Autonomy of the Basque Country and Catalonia were sanctioned by the Spanish Parliament on 18 December 1979. The position of

2552-470: The party in government, the Union of the Democratic Centre (UCD), was that only the three "historical nationalities" would assume full powers, while the rest would accede to autonomy via article 143, assuming fewer powers and perhaps not even establishing institutions of government. This was firmly opposed by the representatives of Andalusia , who demanded for their region the maximum level of powers granted to

2610-471: The pre-existing 50 provinces of Spain , a territorial division of the liberal centralizing regime of the 19th century created for purely administrative purposes (it also recognized the municipalities that integrated the provinces). These provinces would serve as the building blocks and constituent parts of the autonomous communities. The constitution stipulated that the following could be constituted as autonomous communities: It also allowed for exceptions to

2668-470: The proposed Los Monegros Protected Area, an area of biological interest due to its high number of endemic species and new discoveries. There are over 5,400 species in the area, according to a 1999 survey. However, the Government of Aragon has not decided to take measures to protect the area. Further research was performed in 2000, this time on the steppe elements of the Monegros biota . Conservation of

2726-478: The recognition of a pluralistic vision of Spanish nationhood. When Franco died in 1975, Spain entered into a phase of transition towards democracy . The most difficult task of the newly democratically elected Cortes Generales (the Spanish Parliament) in 1977 acting as a Constituent Assembly was to transition from a unitary centralized state into a decentralized state in a way that would satisfy

2784-430: The return of transferred powers—is always a possibility. This has been evidenced in the 2000s, at the beginning with a wave of approval of new Statutes of Autonomy for many communities, and more recently with many considering the recentralization of some powers in the wake of the economic and financial crisis of 2008. Nonetheless, Spain is now a decentralized country with a structure unlike any other, similar but not equal to

2842-812: The same institutions of government, but different competences. By 1983, all 17 autonomous communities were constituted: Andalusia , Aragon , Asturias , the Balearic Islands , the Basque Country , the Canary Islands , Cantabria , Castile and León , Castile–La Mancha , Catalonia , the Community of Madrid , Extremadura , Galicia , La Rioja , Navarra , the Region of Murcia and the Valencian Community . The two autonomous cities, Ceuta and Melilla were constituted in 1995. Once

2900-448: The steppe ecosystem. The endemic plant species, 45% of all plant species in Spain, are also under decline. A project supported by BirdLife International at the "Muelas del Jiloca" Special Protection Area has been launched to conserve the birds and plants. The area is sparsely populated. A large scale economic development called Gran Scala was projected in the region, with some 32 planned casinos, 70 hotels, 232 restaurants, 500 stores,

2958-408: The territorial arrangements, while enshrining in the constitution the right to autonomy or self-government of the "nationalities and regions", through a process of asymmetric devolution of power to the "autonomous communities" that were to be created. The starting point in the territorial organization of Spain was the second article of the constitution, which reads: The Constitution is based on

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3016-473: The then prime minister of Spain Felipe González from PSOE and the leader of the opposition, José María Aznar from the newly created People's Party (PP) successor of the People's Alliance party . Through these agreements new powers were transferred, with the reforms to many Statutes of Autonomy of the "slow-route" communities with the aim of equalizing them to the "fast route" communities. In 1995,

3074-487: Was 954,811 in 2018, accounting for slightly over 72% of the entire population of Aragon ; nearly 75% of those lived in the capital. Its population density was 51/km². It contains 292 municipalities, of which more than half are villages with fewer than 300 people. The main language throughout the province is Spanish (with official status), although Catalan is spoken in the easternmost part ( Bajo Aragón-Caspe comarca and Mequinenza municipality). The province of Zaragoza

3132-439: Was denied secession to be constituted as an autonomous community on its own right. During the second half of the 1980s, the central government seemed reluctant to transfer all powers to the "slow route" communities. After the five years set up by the constitution, all "slow route" communities demanded the maximum transfer guaranteed by the constitution. This led to what has been called the "second autonomic pacts" of 1992, between

3190-453: Was dubbed as café para todos , "coffee for all". This agreement was eventually put into writing in July 1981 in what has been called the "first autonomic pacts". These "autonomic pacts" filled in the gap left by the open character of the constitution. Among other things: In the end, 17 autonomous communities were created: Special provisions were made for the Valencian Community and

3248-469: Was not predictable and its construction was deliberately open-ended; the constitution only created a process for an eventual devolution , but it was voluntary in nature: the "nationalities and regions" themselves had the option of choosing to attain self-government or not. In order to exercise this right, the constitution established an open process whereby the "nationalities and regions" could be constituted as "autonomous communities". First, it recognized

3306-414: Was sympathetic to a federal system. In the end, the constitution, published and ratified in 1978, found a balance in recognizing the existence of "nationalities and regions" in Spain, within the "indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation". In order to manage the tensions present in the Spanish transition to democracy, the drafters of the current Spanish constitution avoided giving labels such as 'federal' to

3364-410: Was vigorously enforced as a way of preserving the "unity of the Spanish nation". Peripheral nationalism, along with communism and atheism, were regarded by his regime as the main threats. His attempts to fight separatism with heavy-handed but sporadic repression, and his often severe suppression of language and regional identities backfired: the demands for democracy became intertwined with demands for

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