Spain is a parliamentary monarchy and democratic country where all citizens are equal under the law. It adopted its constitution in 1978 which established it as a democracy and is the highest law. Spain is divided into 17 autonomous communities and two cities, with communities composed of provinces and municipalities. The European Union is an economic and political union of 28 European countries that Spain joined in 1986, providing benefits like tax-free trade, a shared currency, and guaranteed product quality standards.

1. Social Science 5th level
UNIT 3 - WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY: SPAIN AND THE EU
SPAIN IS A DEMOCRACY
Spain is a parliamentary monarchy. The King is the head of state and must
respect the decisions of the Cortes.
Spain became a democracy in 1978. The fundamental law of the Spanish
State is the Constitution.
● All Spanish people are equal before the law, with the same rights and
freedoms and the same responsibilities.
● The Spanish people have the power. We vote to choose our leaders.
● The Constitution is the most important law in Spain and Spanish people
voted to adopt it in 1978.
THE TERRITORIAL ORGANISATION OF SPAIN
Spain is divided into 17 autonomous communities and two autonomous cities
(Ceuta and Melilla).
An autonomous community is a Spanish territory that has common
geographical, historical and cultural characteristics.
Autonomous communities are divided into provinces. A province includes
several municipalities.
A municipality is the smallest territorial division of Spanish territory it is
governed by a local council.
WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION?
The European Union (EU) is a community of 28 European countries. They all

2. share a common economic and political project. Spain became part of this
community in 1986.
The main advantages of being member of the European single market are:
- They can buy products from any EU country without paying taxes.
- They can use the same currency, the euro, in many countries in the EU.
- The quality of the products made in the European Union is guaranteed.