(1) 577-4000;
there is a US Consulate General in Barcelona and a Consulate in Bilbao

_#_Flag: 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
_#_Overview: This Western capitalistic economy has done well since
Spain joined the EC in 1986. With annual increases in real GNP averaging
about 5% in the 1987-90 period, Spain has been the fastest growing member
of the EC. Increased investment--both domestic and foreign--has been the
most important factor pushing the economic expansion. Inflation moderated
to 4.8% in 1988, but an overheated economy caused inflation to reach
almost 7% in 1989-90. Another economic problem facing Spain is an
unemployment rate of 16.3%, the highest in Europe.

_#_GDP: $435.9 billion, per capita $11,100; real growth rate 3.7%
(1990)

_#_Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.7% (1990)

_#_Unemployment rate: 16.3% (1990)

_#_Budget: revenues $100.1 billion; expenditures $111.6 billion,
including capital expenditures of $NA (1990)

_#_Exports: $55.6 billion (f.o.b., 1990);

commodities--foodstuffs, live animals, wood, footwear, machinery,
chemicals;

partners--EC 67.8%, US 6.5%, other developed countries 9%

_#_Imports: $87.7 billion (c.i.f., 1990);

commodities--petroleum, footwear, machinery, chemicals, grain,
soybeans, coffee, tobacco, iron and steel, timber, cotton, transport
equipment;

partners--EC 59.7%, US 8.5%, other developed countries 11.5%,
Middle East 3.4%

_#_External debt: $37 billion (1990 est.)

_#_Industrial production: growth rate 3.5% (1990 est.)

_#_Electricity: 46,589,000 kW capacity; 141,000 million kWh produced,
3,590 kWh per capita (1990)

_#_Industries: textiles and apparel (including footwear), food and
beverages, metals and metal manufactures, chemicals, shipbuilding,
automobiles, machine tools

_#_Agriculture: accounts for 5% of GNP and 14% of labor force; major
products--grain, vegetables, olives, wine grapes, sugar beets, citrus
fruit, beef, pork, poultry, dairy; largely self-sufficient in food;
fish catch of 1.4 million metric tons is among top 20 nations

_#_Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $1.9
billion; Wester