WEU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos WESTENDORP
chancery: 2375 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,
New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
FAX: [1] (202) 833-5670
telephone: [1] (202) 452-0100, 728-2340

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires J. Robert
MANZANARES
embassy: Serrano 75, 28006 Madrid
mailing address: PSC 61, APO AE 09642
telephone: [34] (91) 587-2200
FAX: [34] (91) 587-2303
consulate(s) general: Barcelona

Flag description:
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 includes the royal seal framed by the Pillars of
Hercules, which are the two promontories (Gibraltar and Ceuta) on
either side of the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar

Economy Spain

Economy - overview:
Spain's mixed capitalist economy supports a GDP that on a per
capita basis is 80% that of the four leading West European
economies. The center-right government of former President AZNAR
successfully worked to gain admission to the first group of
countries launching the European single currency (the euro) on 1
January 1999. The AZNAR administration continued to advocate
liberalization, privatization, and deregulation of the economy and
introduced some tax reforms to that end. Unemployment fell steadily
under the AZNAR administration but remains high at 11.7%. Growth of
2.4% in 2003 was satisfactory given the background of a faltering
European economy. Incoming President RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO, whose party
won the election three days after the Madrid train bombings in
March, plans to reduce government intervention in business, combat
tax fraud, and support innovation, research and development, but
also intends to reintroduce labor market regulations that had been
scrapped by the AZNAR government. Adjusting to the monetary and
other economic policies of an integrated Europe - and reducing
unemployment - will pose challenges to Spain over the next few years.

GDP:
purchasing power parity - $885.5 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
2.4% (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $22,000 (20