Transport in Spain

Transportation in Spain is characterized by an extensive network of roads, railways, rapid transit, air routes, and ports. Its geographic location makes it an important link between Europe, Africa, and the New World. Major forms of transit generally radiate from the capital, Madrid, located in the center of the country, to link with the capitals of the autonomous communities.

Spanish transit is marked by a high degree of integration between its long distance railway system and inner-city metro systems, although the historic use of broad gauge has limited integration with its neighbors. Spain is currently working to increase and improve linkage with the rail systems of France and Portugal, including high-speed rail between Madrid and Lisbon.

Spain possesses a highly developed highway system, with both tolled and freeways.

Air traffic is routed through several international and regional airports, the largest of which is Barajas International Airport in Madrid.

Ferry services operate regular lines to many ports in China and Asia, as well as the autonomous communities and cities of the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla.

Rail transport

Main article: Rail transport in Spain

Spanish Railways network

Spanish railways date from 1848. The total route length in 2004 was 14,781 km (8,791 km electrified)

• Iberian gauge (1,668 mm/5 ft 5 ²⁄₃ in): 11,829 km (6,950 km electrified at 3 kV DC)
• Standard gauge (1,435 mm/4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in): 998 km (all electrified at 25 kV AC)
• Narrow gauge (1,000 mm/3 ft 3 ³⁄₈ in): 1,926 km (815 km electrified)
• Narrow gauge (914 mm/3 ft ): 28 km (all electrified)

Most railways are operated by RENFE; narrow gauge lines are operated by FEVE and other carriers in individual autonomous communities. It is proposed to build or convert more standard gauge lines, including some dual gauging of broad gauge lines, especially where these lines link to adjacent countries.

A high-speed rail line (AVE) between Madrid and Seville was completed in 1992. In 2003, high-speed service was inaugurated on a new line from Madrid to Lleida and extended to Barcelona in 2008. The same year, lines from Madrid to Valladolid and from Córdoba to Málaga were inaugurated.^{[citation needed]}

Cities with metro/light rail systems

See also: Trams in Europe

Madrid metro

• Alicante (Alicante Tram)
• Barcelona (Barcelona Metro/Barcelona Tram)
• Bilbao (Bilbao Metro/Bilbao Tram)
• A Coruña under construction
• Madrid (Madrid Metro)
• Valencia (Valencia Metro)
• Malaga (Malaga Metro) under construction
• Murcia (Murcia Tram) under construction, opening in 2011.
• Granada (Granada Tram) under construction
• Jaén (Jaén Tram) finished without service by political reason
• Palma de Mallorca (Palma de Mallorca Metro)
• Vitoria-Gasteiz (Vitoria-Gasteiz tram)
• Seville (Seville Metro)
• Parla (Parla Tram or VíaParla)
• Vélez-Málaga under construction due to open September 2006
• Vigo under construction
• Santa Cruz de Tenerife Capital of Tenerife, system opened late 2007
• Zaragoza (Zaragoza tram) opened in 2011.

Railway links with adjacent countries

• Andorra – no

• France – yes – break-of-gauge (1,668 mm (5 ft 5 ²⁄₃ in))/(1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in)) (new high-speed lines will link without any break-of-gauge)

• Portugal – yes, same gauge

• Morocco – no – proposed undersea tunnel. break-of-gauge (1,668 mm (5 ft 5 ²⁄₃ in))/(1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in))

Tunnel across the Strait of Gibraltar

Main article: Gibraltar Tunnel

In December 2003, Morocco and Spain agreed to explore the construction of an undersea rail tunnel across the Strait of Gibraltar, to connect their rail systems.

Road system

Main article: List of autopistas and autovías in Spain

The current vehicle registration plate design.

A-67. Autovía de la Meseta (the Meseta Freeway) in Cantabria.

• Total: 346,858 km (1997 est.).

• Paved: 343,389 km (including 14,689 km of expressways).
• Unpaved: 3,469 km.

Waterways

There are 1,045 km of waterways, but they have minor economic importance.

Pipelines

• Gas: 7,962 km
• Oil: 622 km;
• Refined products: 3,447 km (2006)

Ports and harbours

The most important port and harbours are Algeciras, Barcelona, Valencia and Bilbao others: Cádiz, Cartagena, Ceuta, Huelva, A Coruña, Las Palmas, Málaga, Melilla, Gijón, Palma de Mallorca, Saguntum, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Los Cristianos (Tenerife), Santander, Tarragona, Vigo, Motril, Almería, Seville, Castellón de la Plana, Alicante, Pasaia, Avilés, and Ferrol.

Merchant marine

• Total: 169 ships (1000 GRT or over) 1,902,839 GRT/1,874,161 metric tons deadweight (DWT)
• Ships by type (2006):

• Bulk carrier: 9
• Cargo: 13
• Chemical tanker: 14
• Container: 27
• Liquefied gas: 9
• Passenger: 1
• Passenger/cargo: 49
• Petroleum tanker: 15
• Refrigerated cargo: 5
• Roll on/roll off: 20
• Specialized tanker: 2
• Vehicle carrier: 5

Air transport

Airports – with paved runways

List of airports in Spain

• Total: 96 (2006 est.)

• 10,000 ft (3,048 m) and over: 16
• 8,000 to 9,999 ft (2,438 to 3,047 m): 10
• 5,000 to 7,999 ft (1,524 to 2,437 m): 20
• 3,000 to 4,999 ft (914 to 1,523 m): 24
• under 3,000 ft (914 m): 26

Main airports are Madrid, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Málaga, Gran Canaria, Alicante and Tenerife South.

An Airbus A321 of Spanish airline Iberia

Airports – with unpaved runways

• Total: 61 (2006 est.)

• 5,000 to 7,999 ft (1,524 to 2,437 m): 2
• 3,000 to 4,999 ft (914 to 1,523 m): 15
• under 3,000 ft (914 m): 44

Airlines based in Spain

• Iberia Airlines
• Spanair
• Air Europa
• Iberworld
• Pullmantur Airlines
• Vueling Airlines
• Binter Canarias
• Pyrenair
• Islas Arways

Heliports

In 2009, there were 298 heliports.^{[citation needed]}