Cortes Generales facts for kids

The Cortes Generales ( English: Spanish Parliament, lit. 'General Courts') are the bicameral legislative chambers of Spain. It is made up of the Congress of Deputies (the lower house), and the Senate (the upper house).

The Congress of Deputies meets in the Palacio de las Cortes. The Senate meets in the Palacio del Senado. Both are in Madrid.

The members of the Cortes Generales serve four-year terms, and they are representatives of the Spanish people.

Images for kids

Saint Isidoro Basilica, where Cortes of León were celebrated
Queen Maria de Molina presents her son Fernando IV in Valladolid Cortes of 1295.
A meeting of the Catalan Courts in the 15th century. Spain was de facto unified when Charles I (V of the Holy Roman Empire) assumed the thrones of both Castile and Aragon in 1516; the different territories of the Spanish monarchy retained some different degrees of autonomy and were not fully centralized until its first modern Constitution was passed in 1812
Jurement of the Cortes of Cádiz
The President of Israel Reuven Rivlin addresses the Cortes Generales during his state visit to Madrid in November 2017
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signs the Book of Distinguished Guests at the Cortes Generales in Madrid on 3 March 2009