Country Profile Part 5

1. Water transportation
     The Port of Valencia is the largest ocean port in spain and is located in Valencia in the Mediterranean Sea basin. The traffic capacity of this port in about 57 million metric tons of cargo. The port also employs many residents of the area and generates 51% of Spain's GDP.
     Other major ports in Spain include the Port of Barcelona, Algeciras, and the Port of Vigo. The Port of Barcelona is Catalonia's largest port. Algeciras is one of the largest ports in Europe. The Port of Vigo is the biggest fishing port in the world.

2. Land transportation
     There are a number of high speed rail lines in spain known as the AVE (Alta Velocidad Español) and like most of the trains in Spain, it is operated by RENFE. RENFE also operates freight systems on the Spanish nationalized infrastructure company. The rail line is 2,665 km long and is the longest in Europe and 2nd longest in the world after China. The line connects Madrid with several other large cities in Spain. These high speed trains can reach speeds up to 186 mph. Also, Madrid has the sixth longest subway system in the world.
     The Spanish motorway network is the fourth largest in the world behind the United States, China, and Canada. There are two types of roads in spain autopistas and autovías. The difference between these two kinds of roads is mainly historical. Both are divided highways with full access control with speeds between 37 and 75 mph. Autopistas are mainly for travel and are often toll roads. Autovías are usually upgrades of older roads and do not contain tolls. These roads are meant for slower speeds so it is acceptable for bicycles and agricultural machinery to use them.

3. Air transportation
     The biggest international airport in Spain is Madrid-Barajas airport which is the main international airport in madrid serving over 49 million passengers in 2010 and 2011. Since opening in 1928 it has become one of the most important aviation centers in europe. The second biggest international airport is Barcelona-El Prat. The airport mainly serves domestic flights in Europe and North Africa, but also offers flights to southeast Asia, Latin America, and North America. The Alicante airport is the sixth busiest airport in spain and about 80% of flights are international.
     Two very important domestic airports in spain are the Sabadell airport and the Cuatro Vientos airport. The Sabadell airport in located in Sabadell and the Cuatro Vientos airport is located in Madrid and is the oldest airport in Spain. The Cuatro Vientos was originally a military airbase and was then converted to a civil airport. The Sabadell airports is home to the oldest aviation club in spain and includes a training school.