Nicholas of Russia

[princessflower]

Will the russian army please work for the royals family not aginst them ever.Will they please work to make them the kings and Queens and build another palace to make the government come back to how it should be and supposto be! Never work aginst royals always work for them!Never ever hurt them always make them more powerful.Who is running the russian army?It should be a royals family member of Tsar.

[princessflower]

Home » Russia »
Russia Activities
Sightseeing




Russia Cities
Moscow
St. Petersburg





Quick Find

Use keywords to find the activity you are looking for.


Or
See All Products





Check Order
>> Login



Shopping Cart

0 items



Information

Supplier Signup
Privacy Notice
Terms & Conditions
Contact Us
Copyright Policy
Advertise With Us
Site Map



Affiliate Program

Affiliate Information
Affiliate Program FAQ
Affiliate Log In



Kremlin and Armory Museum Tour





Duration: 3 hours
Introduction: The Kremlin and Armory Museum tour includes visiting the territory of the Kremlin, The Assumption Cathedral and the Armory Museum. The small city in the center of Moscow, once the residence of Czars and Patriarchs, contains Russia's main cathedral, the Assumption Cathedral. The Armory Collection of gold, silver and jewelry, Faberge eggs, carriages and Czarist thrones is a perfect excuse to visit Moscow.
Location: Moscow, Russia





Calculate Your Price: > Need Help
> Online Text Support



Step 1. Please Choose a Tour Code Option for your Date Range



2006-Jan-01
To
2006-Dec-31

Kremlin and Armory Museum Tour Per Person

Season 2006-Jan-01 To 2006-Dec-31
Tour Code Days of week Adult Child
(Age from 4 to 11) Infant
(Age to 3)
10:30am departure S,M,T,W,F,S Only 31EUR 17EUR Free
3:00pm departure S,M,T,W,F,S Only 31EUR 17EUR Free


Step 2. Please Choose Date of Use

« September, 2006 »
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30




Step 3. Please Choose Number of Travelers

123456789Number Of Adults 0123456789Number Of Children 0123456789Number Of Infants






Departure and Return Details

Departure Dates:

Daily, except Thursday
All year round

Unavailable Dates:
December 31 - 10:30am available but the 3:00pm tour is not operational
January 01
May 09
June 12

Commences: Moscow, Russian Federation
Departure Point: #4, Ilyinka Street, Gostiny Dvor building, just a 1-minute walk from the Red Square
Departure Time: 10:30am and 3:00pm
Return Details: Tour concludes at the exit to The Kremlin



Additional Information

Inclusions:

Guided tour
Entrance fees


Confirmation for this product will be received at time of booking.
This tour must be booked at least 24 hours in advance of your travel date
Tour is operated in English unless otherwise stated
Please note, as the Kremlin is an official administration of the President of Russia, the Kremlin Museum is closed on the days of the Russian National Holidays.

Special Policy:
Infants aged 3 years and under are free of charge
Child prices are applicable for children aged 4 - 11 years

Travel Voucher
For every confirmed booking you will be required to print a voucher for presentation at the destination. You will receive a link to your voucher via email once your booking is confirmed.

Local Operator Information
Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.

Note: Flights are NOT included and unless otherwise stated above transfers and car hire are also NOT included.

I accept Terms and Conditions










Destinations

AustriaBelgiumCroatiaCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIcelandIrelandItalyLithuaniaLuxembourgNetherlandsNor wayPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaSlovakiaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandTurkeyUnited Kingdom



Currencies

EuroSweden KronorUS DollarSwiss FrancsDenmark KronerNorway KronerIceland KronurGreat Britain Pounds



Questions?

Contact Us

Large Group?



Tell A Friend


Tell someone you know about this product.



Ideas...


Classical Bratislava Walking Tour
17EUR




Monday 04 September, 2006 Site managed by BestOfProductions

[princessflower]

Background
Medieval Texts
Modern Texts
Images
Bibliography
Camelot Project Main Menu


KING ARTHUR

Background:

King Arthur is the figure at the heart of the Arthurian legends. He is said to be the son of Uther Pendragon and Ygraine of Cornwall. Arthur is a near mythic figure in Celtic stories such as Culhwch and Olwen. In early Latin chronicles he is presented as a military leader, the dux bellorum. In later romance he is presented as a king and emperor. One of the questions that has occupied those interested in King Arthur is whether or not he is a historical figure. The debate has raged since the Renaissance when Arthur's historicity was vigorously defended, partly because the Tudor monarchs traced their lineage to Arthur and used that connection as a justification for their reign. Modern scholarship has generally assumed that there was some actual person at the heart of the legends, though not of course a king with a band of knights in shining armor--though O.J. Padel in "The Nature of Arthur" argues that "historical attributes of just the kind that we find attached to Arthur can be associated with a figure who was not historical to start with." If there is a historical basis to the character, it is clear that he would have gained fame as a warrior battling the Germanic invaders of the late fifth and early sixth centuries. Since there is no conclusive evidence for or against Arthur's historicity, the debate will continue. But what can not be denied is the influence of the figure of Arthur on literature, art, music, and society from the Middle Ages to the present. Though there have been numerous historical novels that try to put Arthur into a sixth-century setting, it is the legendary figure of the late Middle Ages who has most captured the imagination. It is such a figure, the designer of an order of the best knights in the world, that figures in the major versions of the legend from Malory to Tennyson to T. H. White. Central to the myth is the downfall of Arthur's kingdom. It is undermined in the chronicle tradition by the treachery of Mordred. In the romance tradition that treachery is made possible because of the love of Lancelot and Guinevere.


Medieval Texts:

Alliterative Morte Arthure (© TEAMS)

Introduction
Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV
Annales Cambriae (Annals of Wales), Arthurian References in (c. 960-80)

The Avowyng of Arthur (© TEAMS)

Introduction
Text
The Awntyrs off Arthur (© TEAMS)

Introduction
Text
Culwch and Olwen (translated by Lady Charlotte Guest as Kilhwch and Olwen)

Geoffrey of Monmouth (c. 1100-1155), Arthurian Passages from The History of the Kings of Britain (completed c. 1138)

Gerald of Wales (1146-1223), Gerald of Wales on the Finding of King Arthur's Tomb, translated by John William Sutton

King Arthur and King Cornwall (© TEAMS)
Introduction
Text
Nennius, From: The History of the Britons (Historia Brittonum) (c. 800)

The Spoils of Annwn (Preiddeu Annwn), edited and translated by Sarah Higley

Stanzaic Morte Arthur (© TEAMS)

Introduction
Part I
Part II
Part III

Modern Texts:

Akhurst, W. M. (1822-1878), Arthur the King, or, The Knights of the Round Table and Other Funny-ture (1871)
(Anonymous), "The Temptation of Arthur" (1870)
Aytoun, William Edmonstoune (1813-1865), "La Morte d'Arthur: Not by Alfred Tennyson" (1843)
Babcock, William H. (1849-1922), Cian of the Chariots (1898)
Blackmore, Richard (1654-1729), King Arthur: An Heroick Poem in Twelve Books: Part I (Preface and Books 1-6); Part II (Books 7-12); Index (1697)
Blackmore, Richard (1654-1729), Prince Arthur: An Heroick Poem in Ten Books: Part I (Preface and Books 1-5); Part II (Books 6-10) (1695)
Blaikie, J. Arthur, "Arthur in Avalon" (1884)
Bridges, Sally, "Excalibur" (1864)
Bridges, Sally, "The King and the Bard" (1864)
Buchanan, Robert (1785-1873), "Camlan" (1859)
Buchanan, Robert (1785-1873), "Gawayne's Ghost" (1859)
Campion, Thomas (1567-1620), "An Epigram" (1607)
Carr, J. Comyns (1849-1916), King Arthur: A Drama in a Prologue and Four Acts (1895) Chausson, Ernest (1855-1899)
Chausson, Ernest (1855-1899), Le Roi Arthus (1892-1896); translated by Judyth Schaubhut Smith
Cram, Ralph Adams (1863-1942), Excalibur: An Arthurian Drama (1893; published 1909)
Costello, Louisa Stuart (1799-1870), "A Dream" (1815)
De Beverley, Thomas, "The Youth of King Arthour" (1925)
Evans, Sebastian (1830-1909), "Arthur's Knighting" (1875)
Evans, Sebastian (1830-1909), ""The Eve of Morte Arthur" (1875)
Fawcett, Edgar (1847-1904), The New King Arthur (1885)
Fowler Wright, S[ydney] (1874-1965), "Scenes from the Morte d'Arthur" (from the S. Fowler Wright Website)
Fowler Wright, S[ydney] (1874-1965), The Song of Arthur (Index) (from the S. Fowler Wright Website)
Fowler Wright, S[ydney] (1874-1965), The Song of Arthur (Part 1: Arthur) (from the S. Fowler Wright Website)
Fowler Wright, S[ydney] (1874-1965), The Song of Arthur (Part 2: Lancelot) (from the S. Fowler Wright Website)
Fowler Wright, S[ydney] (1874-1965), The Song of Arthur (Part 3: Gareth and Lionore) (from the S. Fowler Wright Website)
Fowler Wright, S[ydney] (1874-1965), The Song of Arthur (Part 4: Carbonac) (from the S. Fowler Wright Website)
Hall, John Lesslie (1856-1928), "Cerdic and Arthur" (1899)
Hawker, Robert Stephen (1803?-1875), "King Arthur's Waes-hael" (1869)
Heber, Reginald (1783-1826), "Morte D'Arthur: A Fragment" (unfinished and posthumously published, first in 1830)
Hughes, Thomas (fl. 1587), The Misfortunes of Arthur (1587)
Johnson, Richard (fl. 1592-1622), Tom a Lincoln (Part I, first published 1599; Part II, first published 1607) (Edited by Ryan Harper);
Introduction by Ryan Harper
Johnston, Annie Fellows (1863-1931), Keeping Tryst (1906)
Linton, W. J. (1812-1898), "The Old Legend of King Arthur" (1865)
Mcnary, Sarah H., "Beowulf and Arthur as English Ideals" (1894)
Morris, William (1834-96), "In Arthur's House" (c. 1870)
Palfrey, Sara Hammond (1823-1914), "King Arthur in Avalon" (1900)
Peacock, Thomas Love (1785-1866), Calidore: A Fragment of a Romance (ca. 1816)
Peacock, Thomas Love (1785-1866), "The Round Table; or King Arthur's Feast" (1817)
Percy, Bishop Thomas (1729-1811), "The Boy and the Mantle" from Reliques of Ancient English Poetry (compiled 1765)
Percy, Bishop Thomas (1729-1811), " King Arthur's Death" from Reliques of Ancient English Poetry (compiled 1765)
Percy, Bishop Thomas (1729-1811), "King Ryence's Challenge" from Reliques of Ancient English Poetry (compiled 1765)
Percy, Bishop Thomas (1729-1811), "The Legend of King Arthur" from Reliques of Ancient English Poetry (compiled 1765)
Rhys, Ernest (1859-1946), "King Arthur's Sleep: A Ballad of Bala Fair" (1898)
Rhys, Ernest (1859-1946), "The Waking of King Arthur" (1898)
Scott, Sir Walter (1771-1832), "The Bridal of Triermain" (1813)
Six Ballads about King Arthur (Anonymous) (1881)
Sladen, Douglas B. W. (1856-1947), "Camelford" (1885)
Swinburne, Algernon Charles (1837-1909), "The Day Before the Trial" (written 1857-58)
Taylor, Tom (1817-1880), translator, "The March of Arthur" ("Bale Arzur") (1865)
Tennyson, Alfred, Lord (1809-1892), "The Coming of Arthur" from The Idylls of the King
Tennyson, Alfred, Lord (1809-1892), "The Passing of Arthur" from The Idylls of the King
Thelwall, John (1764-1834), The Fairy of the Lake (1801)
Warton, Thomas (1728-1790), "The Grave of King Arthur" (1777)
Warton, Thomas (1728-1790), "On King Arthur's Round-table at Winchester" (1777)
Westwood, Thomas (1814?-1888), "The Sword of Kingship" (1866)
Images

Bibliography:

Ashe, Geoffrey. The Discovery of King Arthur. Garden City, NY: Anchor Press/Doubleday, 1985.

Barber, Richard. The Figure of Arthur. Cambridge: D.S. Brewer, 1972.

Chambers, E. K. Arthur of Britain. New York: October House, 1967.

Jones, W. Lewis. King Arthur in History and Legend. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1911.

King Arthur: A Casebook. Ed. Edward Donald Kennedy.New York: Garland, 1996.

Korrel, Peter. An Arthurian Triangle: A Study of the Origin, Development and Characterization of Arthur, Guinevere and Modred. Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1984.

Morris, Rosemary. The Character of King Arthur in Medieval Literature. Cambridge: D. S. Brewer, 1982.

Padel, O.J. "The Nature of Arthur." Cambrian Medieval Celtic Studies 27 (Summer 1994): 1-31

[princessflower]

in All Infoplease Almanacs • General • Entertainment • Sports Biographies Dictionary Encyclopedia
Daily Almanac for Sep 7, 2006Search White Pages
Skip Navigation Home Almanacs Atlas Encyclopedia Dictionary Thesaurus Features Quizzes

World & News

United States

History & Gov't

Biography

Sports

Arts & Ent.

Business

Society & Culture

Health & Science

Homework Center
Fact Monster
Kid's reference,
games, quizzes
RSS Daily Almanac
This Day in History
Today's Birthday
Word of the Day
Editor's Favorites
Back to School
Hispanic Heritage Month
Pluto Demoted!
Munich Massacre
Notable Tennis Players
Sept. 11
World Trade Center
al-Qaeda
West Nile Virus
Lyme Disease
Common Grammar Problems
Bios: Activists & Reformers
Bios: Rap & Hip Hop Musicians
Bios: Media Personalities
What's GDP mean?
Poincaré Conjecture
Games for Grownups!
Names—Meanings & Origins
IP's Most Popular Pages
Fall Equinox
Calendar & Holidays
2006 Calendar
Infoplease Tools
Periodic Table
Conversion Tool
Perpetual Calendar
Year by Year
Career Center
Job Search
Post Your Resume
Continuing Ed.
College Center
Scholarship Search
Colleges & Universities
College Resources
New/Updated
Most Expensive Colleges
Largest U.S. Universities
Average SAT Scores
Coups since 2000
Help | Site Map
Search: Infoplease

Info search tips
Search: Biographies

Bio search tips

World—World Statistics—Political Statistics
Kingdoms and Monarchs of the World
Country Monarch Type of monarchy
Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa Constitutional
Belgium King Albert II Constitutional
Bhutan King Jigme Singye Wangchuck Transitional1
Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Constitutional
Cambodia King Norodom Sihamoni Constitutional
Denmark Queen Margrethe II Constitutional
Japan Emperor Akihito Constitutional
Jordan King Abdullah II Constitutional
Kuwait Sheikh Saad Al Abdullah Al Salim Al Sabah Constitutional
Lesotho King Letsie III Constitutional
Liechtenstein Prince Hans Adam II Constitutional
Luxembourg Grand Duke Henri Constitutional
Malaysia King Syed Sirajuddin Constitutional
Monaco Prince Albert II Constitutional
Morocco King Muhammad VI Constitutional
Nepal King Gyanendra Constitutional2
Netherlands Queen Beatrix Constitutional
Norway King Harald V Constitutional
Oman Sultan Qabus ibn Sa'id Absolute
Qatar Emir Sheik Hamad ibn Khalifa al-Thani Constitutional
Samoa Malietoa Tanumafili II Constitutional
Saudi Arabia King Abdullah Absolute
Spain King Juan Carlos I Parliamentary
Swaziland King Mswati III Absolute
Sweden King Carl XVI Gustaf Constitutional
Thailand King Bhumibol Adulyadej Constitutional
Tonga King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV Constitutional
United Kingdom Queen Elizabeth II3 Constitutional4

1. Bhutan is in the process of becoming a constitutional monarchy.
2. Constitutional monarchy suspended in 2002, when King Gyanendra assumed power. A popular uprising in 2006, however, forced him to relinquish much of his power.
3. Queen Elizabeth II is also the Sovereign of 15 countries in the Commonwealth of Nations: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu.
4. Also parliamentary democracy.
See also World Rulers.



Information Please® Database, © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Coups Since 2000 Political Statistics International Statistical Agencies

Page Tools:CitePrintEmailHotWords
More on Kingdoms and Monarchs of the World from Infoplease:
Britain's Royal Family Tree - Click on a royal family member to read the complete biography by David Johnson RELATED LINKS More ...
British Royalty - Biographies of the British Royalty and other information about monarchies
Queen Victoria - England's longest-ruling monarch
Countries of the World - Facts on world and country flags, maps, geography, history, statistics, disasters, current events, and international relations. Profiles of every country include geography, maps, history, current ruler, area, population, capital, largest city, and more.
Royal Titles: How to get your own - Even if you're not Prince Charles, don't lose hope by David Johnson RELATED LINKS Queen Mum ...


Premium Partner Content

Related content from HighBeam Research on:
Kingdoms and Monarchs of the World

Will the real Henry VIII please stand up? Henry VIII may be our most famous monarch, a man who still bestrides English history as...... (History Today)

Saudi Arabia: torn between ancient traditions and the modern world, Saudis search for balance in the post-9/11 glare.(Kingdom On Edge)... (National Geographic)

Will trade ties pave the way to regional concord? In December 2005, Saudi Arabia became the 149th member of the World Trade Organisation....... (The Middle East)

Awesome Aggregations: students study overwintering biology and behavioral ecology with model monarch butterflies. (The Science Teacher)

Moving the Monarch. The Rhetoric of Persuasion in Camoes's Lusiadas. (Renaissance Quarterly)

Monarch and monarchy: the Queen at seventy. (Queen Elizabeth II of England) (Contemporary Review)

Search HighBeam Research for:
Additional search results provided by HighBeam Research, LLC. © Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.



© 2000–2006 Pearson Education, publishing as Infoplease • RSS • About • Contact • Link to Us • Advertise with Us • Terms of Use • Privacy • Related sites: Family Education • TeacherVision

[princessflower]

Every counrty in the world is a kingdom.

The real true government in the world is the kingdom kings queens and palaces even russias everyones.

Look around you find out what governments are around you russia - KINGDOMS! if you dont believe me I will prove it!

[princessflower]

In this article we will tell you something about the government of Monaco.The principality of Monaco was an absolute monarchy until 1910. A monarch was the governor of Monaco. Prince Albert was the first monarch who made a constitution in 1911, which was changed in 1917. Prince Louis II confirmed this constitution in 1933. Prince Rainier III changed the constitution in 1962.The constitution of 1962 said that the successor of the throne has to be someone who is a descendant of the family of the ruling prince. An adopted child is the successor if there are not any direct descendants. The monarch takes care that the relations between the other foreign countries are good and he signs the acts.

The Council of the Government

The minister of the state who is assisted by the council, leads the management. The monarch chooses from a list containing the names of three French diplomats, one person who will be the minister of state. He also chooses three council members. One person who takes care of the economy and finances, one for Home Affairs and one for social affairs. The minister of state and his three council members have to account for their acts to the monarch.

The National Council

This is a group of 18 people who are chosen once in five years to represent their people. The voters are at least 21 years old and have had the Monegasque nationality for five years. The candidates have to be older than 25 years. The legislature is executed by the monarch and the National Council. This council also votes about the allocation of the budget. There are two meetings a year, but the council can be summoned for a special meeting by the monarch.

The Royal Council

There are seven people with a Monegasque Nationality in this council, who are chosen by the monarch. The sovereign chooses the president and three members. Important persons of the National Council choose the other members.The council has at least two meetings a year. They then discuss important problems of the state.

Fiscal policy

Companies have to pay tax over their turnover if they are foreign for 25 % , the date of reckoning being 1963 and after. Since 1 January 1993 there has been a tax, which amounts to 33,33 %.

Relations with France

The political relations between France and Monaco are defined by a treaty of 27 July 1918 and article 436 of the "Peace Of Versailles" (18 July 1919). A two-sided relation between Monaco and France was established. It is stated that France protects Monaco's independence and sovereignty and that Monaco has a special relationship with France. The government has to try to make their rights the same as the French rights. New treaties were signed after the Second World War in 1945 and in 1951. The target was to make some changes in these agreements. They can create their own economic and social conditions.

The International Organisation of which Monaco is a member

Monaco has been a member of the United Nations since 1993. Other organisations Monaco is a member of are: the International Telecommunication Union, the World Health Organisation, the United Nations for Education, Culture and Science, the International Atom Power Treaty and many more.

The Grimaldis

The Grimaldis have been living in Monaco since 1297. The Grimaldis were originally an influential family, who lived in the neighbourhood of Genoa. Francois Grimaldi took possession of the fortress of Monaco on 8 January 1297. After Francois Grimaldi had taken it, it was a long time before a very famous person held Monaco. The man to do so is well known by many people. He was Prins Rainier III.

Prins Rainier III

Prins Rainier became prince of Monaco on the 9th of May 1949. One of the most important events in the history of Monaco is the first constitution. That's one of the important things that he had made for Monaco.He takes care of good relationships between France and the other countries.The Principality became a member of many international organisations such as the United States on the 28th of May 1993. Prince Rainier III takes care that the health care is protected. He also sees to it that the infrastructure is up-to-date for tourism and that there are techinical facilities to hold international and professional conferences in Monaco. In order to develop tourism and business activities he encourages and promotes the industry and service sectors, because they provide the major earnings of Monaco. The Grimaldis had a party on the rock of Monaco in 1997 to celebrate their 700 year anniversary.They wil celebrate this year that Prince Rainier has enjoyed the power over Monaco for 50 years, a man who has definite ideas about the future of Monaco.


About This Site >
Library >
FAQ >



Privacy Policy
Terms of Use

[princessflower]

. .
Geography

People

Government

Economy

Communicat's

Transportation

Military

Transnational
Issues


. Feedback

===========



[TOP]


Spain Government


Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Spain
conventional short form: Spain
local short form: Espana

Data code: SP

Government type: parliamentary monarchy

Capital: Madrid

Administrative divisions: 17 autonomous communities (comunidades autonomas, singular—comunidad autonoma); Andalucia, Aragon, Asturias, Baleares (Balearic Islands), Canarias (Canary Islands), Cantabria, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y Leon, Cataluna, Communidad Valencian, Extremadura, Galicia, La Rioja, Madrid, Murcia, Navarra, Pais Vasco (Basque Country)
note: there are five places of sovereignty on and off the coast of Morocco: Ceuta and Melilla are administered as autonomous communities; Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera are under direct Spanish administration

Independence: 1492 (expulsion of the Moors and unification)

National holiday: National Day, 12 October

Constitution: 6 December 1978, effective 29 December 1978

Legal system: civil law system, with regional applications; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: King JUAN CARLOS I (since 22 November 1975); Heir Apparent Prince FELIPE, son of the monarch, born 30 January 1968
head of government: President of the Government Jose Maria AZNAR Lopez (since 5 May 1996); First Vice President Francisco ALVAREZ CASCOS Fernandez (since 5 May 1996) and Second Vice President (and Minister of Economy and Finance) Rodrigo RATO Figaredo (since 5 May 1996)
cabinet: Council of Ministers designated by the president
note: there is also a Council of State that is the supreme consultative organ of the government
elections: the monarch is hereditary; president proposed by the monarch and elected by the National Assembly following legislative elections; election last held 3 March 1996 (next to be held by NA April 2000); vice presidents appointed by the monarch on proposal of the president
election results: Jose Maria AZNAR elected president; percent of National Assembly vote—NA

Legislative branch: bicameral; the General Courts or National Assembly or Las Cortes Generales consists of the Senate or Senado (256 seats—208 members directly elected by popular vote and the other 48 appointed by the regional legislatures to serve four-year terms) and the Congress of Deputies or Congreso de los Diputados (350 seats; members are elected by popular vote on block lists by proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate—last held 3 March 1996 (next to be held by April 2000); Congress of Deputies—last held 3 March 1996 (next to be held by April 2000)
election results: Senate—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—PP 132, PSOE 96, CiU 11, PNV 6, IU 2, others 9; Congress of Deputies—percent of vote by party—PP 38.9%, PSOE 37.5%, IU 10.7%, CiU 4.6%; seats by party—PP 156, PSOE 141, IU 21, CiU 16, other 16

Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo

Political parties and leaders:
principal national parties, from right to left: Popular Party or PP [Jose Maria AZNAR Lopez]; Spanish Socialist Workers Party or PSOE [Joaquin ALMUNIA Amann, secretary general]; Spanish Communist Party or PCE [Julio ANGUITA Gonzalez]; United Left or IU (a coalition of parties including the PCE and other small parties) [Julio ANGUITA Gonzalez]
chief regional parties: Convergence and Union or CiU [Jordi PUJOL i Soley, secretary general] (a coalition of the Democratic Convergence of Catalonia or CDC [Jordi PUJOL i Soley] and the Democratic Union of Catalonia or UDC [Josep Antoni DURAN y LLEIDA]); Basque Nationalist Party or PNV [Xabier ARZALLUS Antia]; Canarian Coalition or CC (a coalition of five parties) [Lorenzo OLLARTE Cullen]

Political pressure groups and leaders: on the extreme left, the Basque Fatherland and Liberty or ETA and the First of October Antifascist Resistance Group or GRAPO use terrorism to oppose the government; Euskal Herritarok or EH [Herri BATASUNA]; free labor unions (authorized in April 1977); Workers Confederation or CC.OO; the Socialist General Union of Workers or UGT and the smaller independent Workers Syndical Union or USO; business and landowning interests; the Catholic Church; Opus Dei; university students

International organization participation: AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MTCR, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIBH, UNU, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC

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

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Edward L. ROMERO
embassy: Serrano 75, 28006 Madrid
mailing address: 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