Economy, Transportation

Spain had 663,795 km (412,463 mi) of roads, and 389 passenger cars for every 1,000 inhabitants, in 1997. Rail service over 14,059 km (8,736 mi) of track is provided by both government-owned and private companies. In the late 1960s and 1970s Spain's railroads were extensively modernized. New equipment, including an updated version of the Talgo, a light train, was introduced; roadbeds were improved; and sharp curves and grades were reduced. In 1993 the first stage of a high-speed network, made possible by EU grants, opened between Madrid, Cordoba, and Seville. The government-controlled Iberia Airlines operates domestic and international services. The airline, which needed financial rescue by the government in the mid-1990s, also serves Spain through a number of subsidiaries. In 2001 the merchant marine consisted of 1,345 vessels; the total capacity of the fleet was 0.5 million gross registered tons.