Andorra AD
| City | Andorra la Vella |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 79,034 |
| GDP per Capita | 66,883 $ |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Members | 28 |
| Number of Women | 14 |
| Share of Women | 50 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 2,823 |
| Flag |
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| Axiometry |
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Location
Andorra la Vella Google Maps |
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| Architect | José Gonzalez Gallegos (ES), Stefaan Loncke (ES), Joan Kopf (ES) |
| Year of Construction | 1580 / 2011 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 15,700 m3 |
| Notes | "Casa de la Vall" is the seat of the General Council of the Valleys. A stone patrician house built in 1580, it has been used as a parliament building since 1702 and still features old fixtures such as a kitchen from times when General Councillors were not allowed to leave the building until they had reached an agreement. A modern new building was built in 2011 next to the old one, that remains an important symbol still in use today. |
United Arab Emirates AE
| City | Abu Dhabi |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Elective monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 9,365,145 |
| GDP per Capita | 83,727 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 31.5 t |
| CO2 (total) | 295.11 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 2.9 |
| Members | 40 |
| Number of Women | 20 |
| Share of Women | 50 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 234,129 |
| Flag |
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| Axiometry |
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Location
Abu Dhabi Google Maps |
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| Year of Construction | 1970s |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 137,500 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Modern, Central Symmetry |
| Notes | The Federal National Council and parliament of the United Arab Emirate’s bicameral system convenes in Abu Dhabi. This city’s architecture is aptly reflected in its generously built road networks and striking monumental buildings. In 2011, Ehrlich Architects succeeded in winning the competition for the new parliament building. Their design combines Arab architecture with contemporary stylistic elements and state-of-the-art technology. |
Afghanistan AF
| City | Kabul |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Provisional Islamic Republic |
| Inhabitants | 40,099,462 |
| GDP per Capita | 1,666 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 0.7 t |
| CO2 (total) | 29.12 mio t |
| HDI | 0.5 |
| Democracy Index | 0.3 |
| Members | 0 |
| Number of Women | 0 |
| Share of Women | 0 % |
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| Axiometry |
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Location
Kabul Google Maps |
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| Architect | Central Public Works Department (IN) |
| Year of Construction | u.c. |
| Plenary Hall Type | unknown |
| Volume | 179,000 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Massive Columns |
| Notes | Construction of the new Afghan parliament complex was funded by the Indian state and consists of four sections: the Lower House, the Upper House, offices, and the entrance area. It had originally been planned to make the façade of Afghan Samangan marble, but owing to the security situation in the province of the same name, it was not possibly to quarry sufficient quantities of this marble-like stone. Update The new Parliament building was inaugurated by the President Ashraf Ghani and Indian Prime Minister Modi in 2015. The Parliament has been suspended in August 2021, following the Taliban takeover. |
Antigua and Barbuda AG
| City | Saint John's |
| Continent | Central America and the Caribbean |
| System | Constitutional monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 93,220 |
| GDP per Capita | 22,225 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 3.9 t |
| CO2 (total) | 0.36 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Members | 18 |
| Number of Women | 1 |
| Share of Women | 5.6 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 5,179 |
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| Axiometry |
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Location
Saint John's Google Maps |
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| Architect | OBM International (US) |
| Year of Construction | 1980s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | British |
| Volume | 15,500 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry |
| Notes | The parliament of the island state of Antigua and Barbuda is modelled on colonial villas. At least for certain people, Antigua and Barbuda’s “Citizenship by Investment” programme lets people become citizens by making a direct payment or by investing in the country. |
Albania AL
| City | Tirana |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 2,854,710 |
| GDP per Capita | 17,875 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 2.8 t |
| CO2 (total) | 7.98 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 6.4 |
| Members | 140 |
| Number of Women | 50 |
| Share of Women | 35.7 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 20,391 |
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| Axiometry |
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Location
Tirana Google Maps |
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| Architect | S.Luarasi (AL), D. Vasilef (RU) |
| Year of Construction | 1955 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 12,500 m3 |
| Notes | "Kuvendi i Shqipërisë" means “Albanian Assembly” and is a building in the style of socialist realism from the mid-20th century. The unicameral parliament may soon make way for a Coop Himmelb(l)au building. Whether or not their design from 2011 will replace the Enver Hoxha Mausoleum or an older project for an extension will be built has yet to be decided. Update After a change of government in 2013, the Coop Himmelb(l)au projects were no longer pursued. |
Armenia AM
| City | Yerevan |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 2,790,974 |
| GDP per Capita | 17,795 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 3.4 t |
| CO2 (total) | 9.38 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 5.6 |
| Members | 107 |
| Number of Women | 38 |
| Share of Women | 35.5 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 26,084 |
| Flag |
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| Axiometry |
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Location
Yerevan Google Maps |
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| Architect | Mark Grigoryan (AM) |
| Year of Construction | 1950 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 260,200 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The building which houses the Armenian National Assembly today was originally the seat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party. Its architect Mark Grigoryan was the author of a number of important buildings in Yerevan during Armenia’s time as a Soviet republic. Grigoryan was awarded a state prize of the USSR for the current parliament building in 1951. |
Angola AO
| City | Luanda |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 34,503,774 |
| GDP per Capita | 6,923 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.9 t |
| CO2 (total) | 66.48 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Democracy Index | 4 |
| Members | 220 |
| Number of Women | 74 |
| Share of Women | 33.6 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 156,835 |
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| Axiometry |
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Location
Luanda Google Maps |
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| Architect | Teixeira Duarte (PT) |
| Year of Construction | u.c. |
| Plenary Hall Type | unknown |
| Volume | 237,900 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | “In Luanda there are no matches. Nor is there any soap, milk, salt or aspirin”, wrote Gabriel García Márquez on the capital of Angola in 1977. Oil and diamonds have made Luanda the most expensive city in Africa today. The neoclassicist parliament building begun in 2010 is to cost 200 million dollars, covering a more than 35,000m² plot and providing parking for 503 cars. Update The new parliament building was inaugurated in 2015. |
Argentina AR
| City | Buenos Aires |
| Continent | South America |
| System | Federal Republic |
| Inhabitants | 45,276,780 |
| GDP per Capita | 26,467 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 8.5 t |
| CO2 (total) | 382.99 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 6.9 |
| Members | 257 |
| Number of Women | 115 |
| Share of Women | 44.7 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 176,174 |
| Flag |
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| Axiometry |
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Location
Buenos Aires Google Maps |
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| Architect | Vittorio Meano (IT)/ Julio Dormal (BE) |
| Year of Construction | 1906 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 218,000 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The source of inspiration for the Argentinian “Palacio del Congreso Nacional Argentino” is obvious: the distinctive dome is immediately reminiscent of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. The Avenida de Mayo connects the building directly with the seat of the executive, the unmistakable “Casa Rosada” (pink house). |
Austria AT
| City | Vienna |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Federal Republic |
| Inhabitants | 8,922,082 |
| GDP per Capita | 66,984 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 8.6 t |
| CO2 (total) | 76.74 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 8.2 |
| Members | 183 |
| Number of Women | 75 |
| Share of Women | 41 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 48,755 |
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| Axiometry |
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Location
Vienna Google Maps |
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| Architect | Theophil Hansen (DK) |
| Year of Construction | 1883 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 549,800 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The tympanum on the Austrian parliament’s portico shows the Austrian emperor Franz Josef I in a very prominent spot – handing over the constitution to personifications of the various nations of the Habsburg Monarchy. However, the emperor’s actual interest in democracy was quite limited: he never once visited his box in the chamber of the Austrian Imperial Council. Update The builing was renovated from 2018 to 2022 by the architects Jabornegg & Pálffy and reopened 2023. A new glass cupola exposes the members of parliament to plain daylight and critical views from above. |
Australia AU
| City | Canberra |
| Continent | Oceania |
| System | Federal Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 25,921,089 |
| GDP per Capita | 62,714 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 22 t |
| CO2 (total) | 571.38 mio t |
| HDI | 1 |
| Democracy Index | 8.7 |
| Members | 151 |
| Number of Women | 58 |
| Share of Women | 38.4 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 171,663 |
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| Axiometry |
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Location
Canberra Google Maps |
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| Architect | Romaldo Giurgola (IT) |
| Year of Construction | 1988 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 1,092,700 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | In its new constitution, the 1901 Federation of Australia decided to establish a capital city that would be at least 100 miles away from Sydney. In 1927, the parliament in Canberra initially moved to an interim building with 185 rooms. Their new building containing 4500 rooms was erected next to the old one and opened in 1988. It was designed as an artificial hill with boomerang-shaped incisions that would fit into the surrounding landscape. The only vertical structure is an 81-metre lightweight flagpole construction made of steel. |
Azerbaijan AZ
| City | Baku |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 10,312,992 |
| GDP per Capita | 17,668 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 6.7 t |
| CO2 (total) | 68.88 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 2.9 |
| Members | 118 |
| Number of Women | 22 |
| Share of Women | 18.6 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 87,398 |
| Flag |
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| Axiometry |
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Location
Baku Google Maps |
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| Year of Construction | 2000s |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 397,500 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Modern, Ramps |
| Notes | The building of the National Assembly of the Republic of Azerbaijan is more consistent with buildings from Soviet modernism than with the new and emerging physiognomy of the capital Baku: often likened to Dubai, everything – even Azerbaijani dwellings or former Soviet monuments – must make way for public building plans. |
Bosnia and Herzegovina BA
| City | Sarajevo |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Federal Republic |
| Inhabitants | 3,270,943 |
| GDP per Capita | 18,464 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 9 t |
| CO2 (total) | 29.32 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 5 |
| Members | 42 |
| Number of Women | 8 |
| Share of Women | 19 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 77,880 |
| Flag |
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| Axiometry |
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Location
Sarajevo Google Maps |
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| Architect | Juraj Neidhardt (BA) |
| Year of Construction | 1982 / 2008 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 205,000 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Ramps |
| Notes | After a prolonged delay in the start of building (the project was approved in 1956), the building was finally completed in 1982, after four years of construction. Severe damage in the Bosnian War in 1992 made renovation necessary, which was commenced in 1996 and only completed in 2008. The square in front of the building was also refurbished up to 2010. |
Barbados BB
| City | Bridgetown |
| Continent | Central America and the Caribbean |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 281,200 |
| GDP per Capita | 17,359 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 3.3 t |
| CO2 (total) | 0.93 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Members | 30 |
| Number of Women | 8 |
| Share of Women | 26.7 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 9,373 |
| Flag |
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| Axiometry |
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Location
Bridgetown Google Maps |
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| Year of Construction | 1874 |
| Plenary Hall Type | British |
| Volume | 205,000 m3 |
| Notes | Barbados has a parliamentary tradition dating back to 1639, surpassed in the Commonwealth only by England and Bermuda. The neo-Gothic Parliament Buildings in which the bicameral parliament styled after the British Westminster system convenes was built between 1870 and 1874. The 136-year-old clock in the clocktower stopped for a few years after Hurricane Tomas in 2010. |
Bangladesh BD
| City | Dhaka |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 169,356,251 |
| GDP per Capita | 7,951 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.7 t |
| CO2 (total) | 281.08 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 6 |
| Members | 350 |
| Number of Women | 73 |
| Share of Women | 20.9 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 483,875 |
| Flag |
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| Axiometry |
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Location
Dhaka Google Maps |
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| Architect | Louis Kahn (EE) |
| Year of Construction | 1983 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 630,400 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Central Symmetry, Ramps |
| Notes | A parliament building that changes its nation in the course of construction is an architectural curio: Louis I. Kahn’s monumental, additive and highly geometric building was initially designed as a parliament building of East Pakistan; the plans were revised and slightly modified following the independence of Bangladesh in 1971. |
Belgium BE
| City | Brussels |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Federal Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 11,611,420 |
| GDP per Capita | 63,070 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 9.8 t |
| CO2 (total) | 114.03 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 7.6 |
| Members | 150 |
| Number of Women | 64 |
| Share of Women | 42.7 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 77,409 |
| Flag |
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| Axiometry |
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Location
Brussels Google Maps |
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| Architect | Gilles-Barnabé Guimard (FR) |
| Year of Construction | 1783 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 60,500 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns |
| Notes | The neoclassicist “Palace of Nations” was built by the French architect Gilles-Barnabé Guimard. Charles Alexander of Lorraine commissioned him in 1768 to plan the levelling of the site of Coudenberg Palace, that had been devastated by a blaze in 1731. Guimard thus began work on this area in 1770, that would later be the new centre of government in Brussels. |
Burkina Faso BF
| City | Ouagadougou |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 22,100,684 |
| GDP per Capita | 2,574 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.7 t |
| CO2 (total) | 36.5 mio t |
| HDI | 0.4 |
| Democracy Index | 3.1 |
| Members | 71 |
| Number of Women | 12 |
| Share of Women | 16.9 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 311,277 |
| Flag |
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| Axiometry |
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Location
Ouagadougou Google Maps |
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| Year of Construction | 1960s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 11,500 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern |
| Notes | The "Assemblée Nationale" building features elements of classical parliaments. Three steps lead up to the building, the frames of the high window frontage spanning several storeys are reminiscent of columns, thus suggesting a portico. In the plenary hall, a slight bend in the front-facing rows of seats hints at a classical semicircle. |
Bulgaria BG
| City | Sofia |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 6,885,868 |
| GDP per Capita | 30,216 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 9.9 t |
| CO2 (total) | 68.41 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 6.5 |
| Members | 240 |
| Number of Women | 58 |
| Share of Women | 24.2 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 28,691 |
| Flag |
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| Axiometry |
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Location
Sofia Google Maps |
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| Architect | Arq.Carlo Rodrigo Leo |
| Year of Construction | 1886 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 40,800 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Ramps |
| Notes | The neo-Renaissance building housing the National Assembly is today a cultural monument. It was built between 1884 and 1886 to plans of the architect Konstantin Jovanovič, who had studied in Vienna and Zürich. The interior was redesigned in 1961 and 1977, but the basic appearance has been preserved in its original form. |
Bahrain BH
| City | Manama |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 1,463,266 |
| GDP per Capita | 58,083 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 47.8 t |
| CO2 (total) | 69.98 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 2.5 |
| Members | 40 |
| Number of Women | 8 |
| Share of Women | 20 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 36,582 |
| Flag |
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| Axiometry |
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Location
Manama Google Maps |
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| Year of Construction | 1970s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 15,500 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns |
| Notes | The parliament in Bahrain has only few powers and never convened between 1975 and 2002. In 2002, it was converted into a bicameral parliament consisting of the "Madschlis asch-Schura", an upper house with forty members, and the new lower house "Madschlis an-Nuwwab", also with forty members. The lower house voted against a royal decree for the first time in 2012. Since 2014, construction is under way on a new building complex on a 100,000m2 plot on an artificial island. |
Burundi BI
| City | Bujumbura |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 12,551,213 |
| GDP per Capita | 856 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 0.6 t |
| CO2 (total) | 7.48 mio t |
| HDI | 0.4 |
| Democracy Index | 2.1 |
| Members | 123 |
| Number of Women | 47 |
| Share of Women | 38.2 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 102,042 |
| Flag |
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| Axiometry |
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Location
Bujumbura Google Maps |
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| Year of Construction | 1984 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 24,200 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Ramps |
| Notes | The parliament housed in the “Palais des Congrès de Kigobe” - built with North Korean funding - consists of 60% Hutu and 40% Tutsi deputies. This ethnologically dubious division was introduced by the colonial powers. A distinction was made on the basis of cattle ownership: those with more than ten head of cattle were made Tutsi, those with less, Hutu. |
Benin BJ
| City | Porto-Novo |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 12,996,895 |
| GDP per Capita | 4,024 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.6 t |
| CO2 (total) | 20.69 mio t |
| HDI | 0.5 |
| Democracy Index | 4.3 |
| Members | 109 |
| Number of Women | 29 |
| Share of Women | 26.6 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 119,238 |
| Flag |
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| Axiometry |
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Location
Porto-Novo Google Maps |
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| Architect | – / Kéré architects |
| Year of Construction | 2003 |
| Plenary Hall Type | unknown |
| Volume | 104,100 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | – /Modern, Central Symmetry/ –, – /Massive Columns, Traditional Roof |
| Notes | The “Palais des Congrès” of this West African state was built in 2003. The People’s Republic of China funded 80% of the 25-million-dollar building. A large arched figure with three truncated cones, it cites the traditional castle-like houses of the Somba people that once protected inhabitants from wild animals and potential attackers. Update Since 2021, Benin has been building a new parliament in Porto-Novo according to plans by architect Francis Kéré, who proposed a construction reminiscent of a baobab tree that provides shade. Another parliament building, begun in 2006, has not been completed and remains in ruins at the entrance bridge to the city. |
Brunei BN
| City | Bandar Seri Begawan |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 445,373 |
| GDP per Capita | 70,500 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 33.3 t |
| CO2 (total) | 14.83 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Members | 34 |
| Number of Women | 4 |
| Share of Women | 11.8 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 13,099 |
| Flag |
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| Axiometry |
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Location
Bandar Seri Begawan Google Maps |
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| Year of Construction | 2007 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 196,500 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Traditional Roof |
| Notes | The parliament was dissolved in 1962 when the state of emergency was declared and has only advisory status. Political parties have been banned since 1988. Tentative “democratisation” became apparent in 2004 when the Legislative Council was reactivated, with most of the thirty-three members being appointed by the Sultan. The parliament building is situated in the neoclassicist “Dewan Majilis Baru”, the government complex completed in 2007. |
Bolivia BO
| City | La Paz |
| Continent | South America |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 12,079,472 |
| GDP per Capita | 9,910 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 4.8 t |
| CO2 (total) | 58.46 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 4.5 |
| Members | 130 |
| Number of Women | 60 |
| Share of Women | 46.2 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 92,919 |
| Flag |
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| Axiometry |
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Location
La Paz Google Maps |
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| Architect | – / Group of 8 young Architects: Arq.Carlo Rodrigo León Velarde, Arq.Carmen Añamuro Criales; Arq.Daniel Rivas Lazarte, Arq.Maria del Carmen Silva Pozo, Arq.José Luis Autalio Chambi Arq.Carmen Claudia Vera Chavez, Arq.Mayra Portillo Miranda, Arq.Cristian Sossa Rodriguez |
| Year of Construction | 1926 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 72,000 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), – /Modern, Massive Columns |
| Notes | The legislative palace formerly housed a convent and a university before it became the plurinational legislative assembly of the multiethnic and multilingual state of Bolivia. The building faces the Palace of Government, to which, despite having been reconstructed entirely after a fire, Bolivians still refer as the “Burned Palace”. Both are on Plaza Murillo, which is regularly tumultuous owing to a lively culture of participation and protest. Update The building was extended in 2021 by a new construction that includes, among other functions, the plenary hall. The 36 m wide glass cube stands for the 36 indigenous representatives who are part in the National Council of the Plurinational State and rises above the original building. |
Brazil BR
| City | Brasília |
| Continent | South America |
| System | Federal Republic |
| Inhabitants | 214,326,223 |
| GDP per Capita | 17,939 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 6.1 t |
| CO2 (total) | 1,310.5 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 6.8 |
| Members | 513 |
| Number of Women | 90 |
| Share of Women | 17.5 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 417,790 |
| Flag |
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| Axiometry |
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Location
Brasília Google Maps |
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| Architect | Oscar Niemeyer (BR) |
| Year of Construction | 1960 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 326,700 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Modern |
| Notes | The Monumental Axis (Eixo Monumental) in Brasília, a key work of Oscar Niemeyer’s Brazilian modernism, merges different buildings at its western end, each corresponding to the separation of powers: the Congresso Nacional (legislature) is flanked by the Presidential Palace (executive) and the Supreme Court of the Brazilian Federation (judiciary). |
Bahamas BS
| City | Nassau |
| Continent | Central America and the Caribbean |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 407,906 |
| GDP per Capita | 41,023 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 4.6 t |
| CO2 (total) | 1.88 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Members | 39 |
| Number of Women | 7 |
| Share of Women | 17.9 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 10,459 |
| Flag |
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| Axiometry |
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Location
Nassau Google Maps |
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| Year of Construction | 1815 |
| Plenary Hall Type | British |
| Volume | 7,300 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns |
| Notes | The pink buildings in the British colonial style from the beginning of the 19th century in Parliament Square cluster around a marble statue of Queen Victoria built in 1905. The more influential of the two chambers of the Bahamas, the “House of Assembly”, claims – along with the Icelandic Parliament - to be the world’s longest continuously running parliamentary assembly. |
Bhutan BT
| City | Thimphu |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 777,487 |
| GDP per Capita | 13,165 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 3.9 t |
| CO2 (total) | 3.07 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 5.5 |
| Members | 46 |
| Number of Women | 8 |
| Share of Women | 17.4 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 16,902 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Thimphu Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1953 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 92,600 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Traditional Roof |
| Notes | Parliamentary democracy was introduced in Bhutan in 2008 in a transformation from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy. The remote Himalayan kingdom, that reviews policies with respect to their potential to contribute to Gross National Happiness (GNH), now has a bicameral parliament with directly elected representatives. |
Botswana BW
| City | Gaborone |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 2,588,423 |
| GDP per Capita | 18,347 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 4.9 t |
| CO2 (total) | 12.61 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 7.7 |
| Members | 63 |
| Number of Women | 7 |
| Share of Women | 11.1 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 41,086 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Gaborone Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1965 |
| Plenary Hall Type | British |
| Volume | 21,900 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Massive Columns |
| Notes | Botswana’s National Assembly is located in the midst of a government enclave of buildings housing government ministries, the House of Chiefs, and State Archives surrounding a war memorial and a statue of Botswana’s first President Sir Seretse Khama. As the only African country, Botswana has a clean record of free and fair elections in the post-colonial period after its independence in 1965 and boasts a vibrant multi-party system. |
Belarus BY
| City | Minsk |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 9,578,168 |
| GDP per Capita | 22,312 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 10.4 t |
| CO2 (total) | 99.87 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 2 |
| Members | 110 |
| Number of Women | 44 |
| Share of Women | 40 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 87,074 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Minsk Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Joseph Langbard (PL) |
| Year of Construction | 1934 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 212,100 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Central Symmetry |
| Notes | The government building characterised by plain geometric shapes was designed by Josef Langbard. His firm also created the designs for the Opera House and the Academy of Sciences in Minsk along with the House of Soviets in Mogilev. Politically, the Belarusian parliament consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Council of the Republic. |
Belize BZ
| City | Belmopan |
| Continent | Central America and the Caribbean |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 400,031 |
| GDP per Capita | 10,440 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 2.4 t |
| CO2 (total) | 0.98 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Members | 32 |
| Number of Women | 5 |
| Share of Women | 15.6 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 12,501 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Belmopan Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Norman & Dawbarn (GB) |
| Year of Construction | 1970 |
| Plenary Hall Type | British |
| Volume | 7,600 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Central Symmetry, Ramps |
| Notes | The National Assembly moved to Independence Plaza in Belmopan after Belize City’s near-total destruction by a hurricane. The architecture mimics a pre-Columbian Mayan temple with Brutalist elements. It is a bicameral parliament with a House of Representatives made up of 31 directly elected members and a Senate with 15 appointed members. |
Canada CA
| City | Ottawa |
| Continent | Northern America |
| System | Federal Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 38,155,012 |
| GDP per Capita | 58,292 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 19.8 t |
| CO2 (total) | 756.81 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 8.9 |
| Members | 336 |
| Number of Women | 103 |
| Share of Women | 30.7 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 113,557 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Ottawa Google Maps |
|
| Architect | John A. Pearson, Jean Omer Marchand (GB) |
| Year of Construction | 1920 |
| Plenary Hall Type | British |
| Volume | 417,800 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Ramps |
| Notes | Up until 1955, cats were employed by the Canadian parliament to control various rodents in the building: although they were gradually replaced by pesticides, the retired parliamentary cats did not leave “Parliamentary Hill” – and a small colony was still looked after by volunteers until 2013. |
Democratic Republic of Congo CD
| City | Kinshasa |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 95,894,119 |
| GDP per Capita | 1,379 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 0.6 t |
| CO2 (total) | 61.64 mio t |
| HDI | 0.5 |
| Democracy Index | 1.5 |
| Members | 500 |
| Number of Women | 64 |
| Share of Women | 12.8 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 191,788 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Kinshasa Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1979 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 374,700 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | After a visit to China, former President Mobuto Sese Seko commissioned China with the construction of the Palace of the People. The colossal mansion, built from marble and richly decorated with gold leaf, houses the nearly 100 different parties that almost hold 500 seats altogether. Despite this fragmented opposition, the parliament attempts to review the country’s growing number of resource-exploitation contracts, many of which have been made with China. |
Central African Republic CF
| City | Bangui |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 5,457,155 |
| GDP per Capita | 1,080 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 2.5 t |
| CO2 (total) | 13.45 mio t |
| HDI | 0.4 |
| Democracy Index | 1.4 |
| Members | 140 |
| Number of Women | 18 |
| Share of Women | 12.9 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 38,980 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Bangui Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1960s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 86,000 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | „A hot breeze blows down empty corridors of the mostly vacant national assembly building here”, states the NY Times in January 2014, commenting on the ongoing violence and lawlessness, in which the CAR has drifted into. The extensively fenced off parliamentary building nevertheless meets the representational pretension formulated by CAR’s political elites. |
Congo CG
| City | Brazzaville |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 5,835,806 |
| GDP per Capita | 4,889 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 4.4 t |
| CO2 (total) | 25.96 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Democracy Index | 2.8 |
| Members | 151 |
| Number of Women | 22 |
| Share of Women | 14.6 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 38,648 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Brazzaville Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1984 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 155,600 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | – /Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps/ – |
| Notes | The National Assembly is the lower chamber of the bicameral system of the Republic of the Congo. The 139 members of the National Assembly are elected for a five-year term. The seat of government is in Brazzaville, for a short time the capital of Free France as of 1940. The Ministry of Trade of the People’s Republic of China is indicated as the owner of this impressive government building. Update Following a visit by Xi Jinpin in 2013, China supported the Republic of Congo in its plans for a new parliament building, which was inaugurated in 2021. The two plenary halls are located in the central courtyard, surrounded by offices that stand out behind a monumental columned facade. |
Switzerland CH
| City | Bern |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Federal Republic |
| Inhabitants | 8,691,407 |
| GDP per Capita | 84,661 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 5.2 t |
| CO2 (total) | 45.56 mio t |
| HDI | 1 |
| Democracy Index | 9.1 |
| Members | 199 |
| Number of Women | 83 |
| Share of Women | 41.7 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 43,675 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Bern Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Hans Wilhelm Auer (CH) |
| Year of Construction | 1902 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 199,300 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry |
| Notes | The Swiss “Bundeshaus” is a fine example of late 19th century parliamentary building design. With a combination of monumental gesture, materials from all Swiss cantons and reflection of national myths in its architecture and interior painting, this building represents a national monument to honour the unification of the Swiss Confederation. |
Côte d'Ivoire CI
| City | Abidjan |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 27,478,249 |
| GDP per Capita | 6,524 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.3 t |
| CO2 (total) | 36.18 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Democracy Index | 4.2 |
| Members | 255 |
| Number of Women | 35 |
| Share of Women | 13.7 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 107,758 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Abidjan Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1960s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 78,900 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The National Assembly is the parliament in the unicameral system of Côte d'Ivoire. The 254 members are elected for a five-year term. The building is situated on Boulevard de la Republique in the immediate vicinity of the Nigerian embassy. Postponed several times since 2005, parliamentary elections were finally held in December 2011. |
Chile CL
| City | Valparaíso |
| Continent | South America |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 19,493,185 |
| GDP per Capita | 29,083 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 7 t |
| CO2 (total) | 137.01 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 8.2 |
| Members | 155 |
| Number of Women | 55 |
| Share of Women | 35.5 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 125,762 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Valparaíso Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Juan Cárdenas, José Covacevic and Raúl Farrú (CL) |
| Year of Construction | 1990 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 221,600 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The Congress in Valparaíso was only reconstituted after the end of the military dictatorship under Augusto Pinochet. The monumental portico of the postmodern building is reminiscent of the old classicist parliament in Santiago de Chile. Not without reason does the administration building behind cite the theme of the triumphal arch: a house in which Pinochet had spent some of his youth had to be demolished to make room for construction. |
Cameroon CM
| City | Yaoundé |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 27,198,628 |
| GDP per Capita | 4,415 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.6 t |
| CO2 (total) | 43.17 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Democracy Index | 2.6 |
| Members | 180 |
| Number of Women | 61 |
| Share of Women | 33.9 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 151,103 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Yaoundé Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1960s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 56,900 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, – /Central Symmetry, – /Massive Columns |
| Notes | The National Assembly approved a disputed amendment to the constitution with an overwhelming majority in April 2008: this change guaranteed the President immunity from prosecution for official acts and allowed him to run for unlimited terms. The National Assembly is the parliament in the bicameral system of Cameroon and has its seat in Yaoundé.Update The parliament building was almost completely destroyed by fire in 2017. A new building is currently under construction. Partly financed by China, the building is scheduled for completion in 2024. |
China CN
| City | Beijing |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 1,425,893,465 |
| GDP per Capita | 21,392 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 11 t |
| CO2 (total) | 15,684.63 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 1.9 |
| Members | 2977 |
| Number of Women | 790 |
| Share of Women | 26.5 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 478,970 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Beijing Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Zhang Bo (CN) |
| Year of Construction | 1959 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 1,611,000 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns |
| Notes | The “Great Hall of the People” was built during the disastrous “Great Leap Forward” on the tenth anniversary of the People’s Republic. In addition to the congresses of the Communist Party, the meetings of the National People’s Congress, and other political assemblies, the building has since recently also been a venue for pop concerts. The musicals “Cats” and “Chicago” have already been performed in the building too. |
Colombia CO
| City | Bogotá |
| Continent | South America |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 51,516,562 |
| GDP per Capita | 18,762 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 4.2 t |
| CO2 (total) | 215.54 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 6.7 |
| Members | 187 |
| Number of Women | 54 |
| Share of Women | 28.9 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 275,490 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Bogotá Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Thomas Reed (DK)/ Alberto Manrique Martin (CO) |
| Year of Construction | 1926 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 121,700 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The classicist “Capitolio Nacional de Colombia” building of the Colombian parliament was begun by the Danish architect Thomas Reed in 1876 and completed in 1926. In addition to the Congress, Thomas Reed also built a panopticon-style prison in Bogotá that remained in use until 1946. It now houses the Museo Nacional de Colombia. |
Costa Rica CR
| City | San José |
| Continent | Central America and the Caribbean |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 5,153,957 |
| GDP per Capita | 25,005 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 3.3 t |
| CO2 (total) | 16.86 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 8.3 |
| Members | 470 |
| Number of Women | 262 |
| Share of Women | 55.7 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 10,966 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
San José Google Maps |
|
| Architect | José María Barrantes (CR) / Javier Salinas |
| Year of Construction | 1958 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 56,700 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | – /Modern, – /Ramps |
| Notes | The "Asamblea Legislativa" meets in the so-called "Edificio Central" which was designed to house the presidential palace. Works started in 1937 soon had to be terminated due to World War II and the lack of building materials. Construction proceeded in 1957, and the legislature moved into the premises in 1958. The legislature’s new building, a 76 million dollar monumental bridge construction spanning the old building and its surrounding area overhead, is due for completion in 2018. Update The architectural design that won the 2013 competition for a new building met hard citique. However, the project was not abandoned and in 2021 the 17-story concrete cuboid (nicknamed 'replica of the Chernobyl sarcophag') was opened. |
Cuba CU
| City | Havana |
| Continent | Central America and the Caribbean |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 11,256,373 |
| GDP per Capita | 12,300 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 3.9 t |
| CO2 (total) | 44.38 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 2.7 |
| Members | 57 |
| Number of Women | 27 |
| Share of Women | 47.4 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 197,480 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Havana Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Raúl Otero and Eugenio Rayneri Piedra (CU) |
| Year of Construction | 1929 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 467,500 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | This monumental building, modeled on the Capitol in Washington, lost its function after the 1959 revolution. Towering above the entrance hall at a height of over 15 metres, the golden statue of the Republic now guards the Academy of Sciences which has resided here ever since. The building, which has undergone renovation work since 2013, will serve as the seat of the national assembly when it is finished. At present, this body assembles in a 1970s congress centre. |
Cape Verde CV
| City | Praia |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 587,925 |
| GDP per Capita | 9,019 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 2.2 t |
| CO2 (total) | 1.3 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 7.7 |
| Members | 72 |
| Number of Women | 30 |
| Share of Women | 41.7 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 8,166 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Praia Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1981 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 88,300 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The unicameral stately hall of the National Assembly in the rather young, but thriving multiparty democracy of Cape Verde was sponsored by China, as were a number of other significant buildings. Relations between China and Cape Verde are longstanding: the first diplomatic representation of the small archipelago was in Beijing and Chinese migrant workers are increasingly tapping into the local market. |
Cyprus CY
| City | Nicosia |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 1,244,188 |
| GDP per Capita | 51,775 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 8.5 t |
| CO2 (total) | 10.63 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 7.4 |
| Members | 56 |
| Number of Women | 8 |
| Share of Women | 14.3 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 22,218 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Nicosia Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Kythreotis Architects (CY) |
| Year of Construction | 2006 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 31,500 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern |
| Notes | The modern unicameral parliament of Nicosia is styled after the ancient Greek agora and amphitheatre as a place of gathering and debate. At the same time, one central dialogue does not take place in the Cypriot parliament: the twenty-four seats reserved for Turkish members of parliament have remained empty since 1974. Despite intensive negotiation efforts, the island is still divided into a north and south half. |
Czech Republic CZ
| City | Prague |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 10,510,751 |
| GDP per Capita | 49,421 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 11.8 t |
| CO2 (total) | 124.5 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 8 |
| Members | 200 |
| Number of Women | 52 |
| Share of Women | 26 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 52,554 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Prague Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1720 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 50,500 m3 |
| Notes | The originally baroque Thun Palace, later renovated, is the seat of the Chamber of Deputies or Lower House. In the days of Czechoslovakia, it was the home of the National Assembly. The Czech Senate is located in Wallenstein Palace, an early Bohemian baroque style building with mannerist features built between 1623 and 1630. The assembly hall is housed in the former stables. |
Germany DE
| City | Berlin |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 83,408,555 |
| GDP per Capita | 63,816 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 9.4 t |
| CO2 (total) | 784 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 8.8 |
| Members | 736 |
| Number of Women | 258 |
| Share of Women | 35.1 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 113,327 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Berlin Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Paul Wallot (DE)/ Norman Robert Foster (GB, ren) |
| Year of Construction | 1894 / 1999 (ren) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 334,100 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The "Reichstag" building has survived three different forms of government and five varying territories: built during the German Empire, it was abused for persecuting political opponents (“Reichstag Fire”) in the National Socialist period before being used for plenary meetings once again after reunification. The steel-and-glass dome was a bone of contention even when it was built. It finally became the dominant element once again in the Foster+Partners project. |
Djibouti DJ
| City | Djibouti |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 1,105,558 |
| GDP per Capita | 6,470 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 2 t |
| CO2 (total) | 2.23 mio t |
| HDI | 0.5 |
| Democracy Index | 2.7 |
| Members | 65 |
| Number of Women | 15 |
| Share of Women | 23.1 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 17,009 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Djibouti Google Maps |
|
| Architect | KZ-Stratus (KZ) |
| Year of Construction | 2010 |
| Plenary Hall Type | unknown |
| Volume | 27,000 m3 |
| Notes | The National Assembly is the only chamber of parliament and is situated in the centre of Djibouti in the immediate vicinity of the university and the "Gymnase du Lycée d’Etat". In this modern building – that replaced its predecessor in 2010 – the front façade projects out at an angle, thus suggesting an east-west axis of the building. |
Denmark DK
| City | Copenhagen |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 5,854,241 |
| GDP per Capita | 70,924 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 7.8 t |
| CO2 (total) | 45.8 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 9.3 |
| Members | 179 |
| Number of Women | 78 |
| Share of Women | 43.6 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 32,705 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Copenhagen Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Thorvald Jørgensen (DK) |
| Year of Construction | 1928 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 300,000 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry |
| Notes | The Danish parliament has come to pop culture prominence in recent years above all thanks to “Borgen”, a successful TV series which has garnered several international awards. “Borgen” is the colloquial name of Christiansborg Palace, the joint home of the executive, judiciary and legislature, the "Folketing" Parliament. |
Dominica DM
| City | Dominica |
| Continent | Central America and the Caribbean |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 72,413 |
| GDP per Capita | 13,072 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 2 t |
| CO2 (total) | 0.15 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Members | 32 |
| Number of Women | 12 |
| Share of Women | 37.5 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 2,263 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Dominica Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1993 |
| Plenary Hall Type | British |
| Volume | 3,600 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry |
| Notes | The parliament of the Caribbean island state – known in its national anthem as the “Isle of Beauty, Isle of Splendour” – was built in the colonial style in 1993. In the bicameral system of Dominica, the “House of Assembly” is the lower chamber. Because Dominica’s economy consists mainly of banana plantations, falling banana prices and the global recession led to an economic depression in 1990. |
Dominican Republic DO
| City | Roseau |
| Continent | Central America and the Caribbean |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 11,117,874 |
| GDP per Capita | 24,135 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 3.8 t |
| CO2 (total) | 41.86 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 6.4 |
| Members | 190 |
| Number of Women | 53 |
| Share of Women | 27.9 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 58,515 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Roseau Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Guillermo Gonzales Sanchez (DO) |
| Year of Construction | 1955 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 152,900 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Central Symmetry |
| Notes | To mark the 25th anniversary of dictator Rafael Trujillo’s rule, the Dominican Republic organised a Fair of Peace and Fraternity of the Free World (Feria de la Paz y Confraternidad del Mundo Libre) in 1955. The “Congreso Nacional” building was erected in the same year. Architect Guillermo Gonzalez Sanchez, who also designed the urban map for that exhibition, is regarded as the father of modern Dominican architecture. |
Algeria DZ
| City | Algiers |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 44,177,969 |
| GDP per Capita | 12,867 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 6.4 t |
| CO2 (total) | 284.45 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 3.7 |
| Members | 407 |
| Number of Women | 32 |
| Share of Women | 7.9 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 108,545 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Algiers Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Jean Niermans (FR) |
| Year of Construction | 1951 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 91,200 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns |
| Notes | The People's National Assembly „al-Majlis al-Sha'abi al-Watani” is the directly elected lower house of Algeria's bicameral parliament. It is housed in what used to be the City Hall, a monumental building facing the ocean that was constructed during French colonial rule. The National Liberation Front that fought the French for independence remains the dominant force in parliament. |
Ecuador EC
| City | Quito |
| Continent | South America |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 17,797,737 |
| GDP per Capita | 12,830 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 4.3 t |
| CO2 (total) | 76.94 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 5.7 |
| Members | 137 |
| Number of Women | 53 |
| Share of Women | 38.7 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 129,910 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Quito Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Alfredo Leon Cevallos |
| Year of Construction | 1959 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 93,200 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Central Symmetry, Ramps |
| Notes | The government palace building was built in the International style in the course of an urban development modernisation programme to mark the eleventh Pan-American Conference of 1959. The stone friezes to the left and right of the entrance were done by Luis Mideros. The controversial mural in the plenary chamber is by Oswaldo Guayasamín, arguably Ecuador’s most important visual artist of the twentieth century. |
Estonia EE
| City | Tallinn |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 1,328,701 |
| GDP per Capita | 45,206 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 10.4 t |
| CO2 (total) | 13.81 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 8 |
| Members | 101 |
| Number of Women | 29 |
| Share of Women | 28.7 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 13,155 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Tallinn Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Eugen Habermann (EE), Herbert Johanson (EE) |
| Year of Construction | 18th cent. |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 114,500 m3 |
| Notes | The government building on the Toompea Hill in Tallinn was built inside the mighty walls of the mediaeval castle in the days of the first Estonian republic. Abstract criss-cross patterns feature throughout the interior. The most impressive room is probably the three-storey-spanning parliamentary chamber with ultramarine walls and lemon-yellow ceiling. |
Egypt EG
| City | Cairo |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 109,262,178 |
| GDP per Capita | 16,080 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 3.5 t |
| CO2 (total) | 377.78 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 2.9 |
| Members | 592 |
| Number of Women | 163 |
| Share of Women | 27.5 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 184,564 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Cairo Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1923 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 26,900 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), – / Central Symmetry, Massive Columns |
| Notes | The parliamentary palace "Maglis El Shura" houses the Egyptian bicameral parliament built in the British style. It was extensively renovated after a fire in 2008. The new Egyptian constitution passed in a referendum in January 2014 features a unicameral system. The "Shura Council", the Egyptian upper house, was eliminated from the draft constitution following broad debate. Update Following the upheaval of the "Arab spring", the plan for a new Parliament was made, located ouside the city, as part of the vast masterplan of NAC (New Administrative Capital), 40km from Kairo and it's rebllious Tahir Square. Constructions started 2019 and is expected to be finished in 2023, with preparations to move staff ongoing. |
Eritrea ER
| City | Asmara |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 3,620,312 |
| GDP per Capita | 2,086 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.9 t |
| CO2 (total) | 6.95 mio t |
| HDI | 0.5 |
| Democracy Index | 2 |
| Members | 0 |
| Number of Women | 0 |
| Share of Women | 0 % |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Asmara Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1990s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | unknown |
| Volume | 34,700 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Central Symmetry |
| Notes | Eritrea’s caretaker government has been in office since independence in 1993 and is officially still being constituted. New parliamentary elections have been postponed indefinitely since 2001. The current “Freedom of the World” report – a gauge of democracy and human rights – lists Eritrea among the bottom ten. The National Assembly building is dominated by a central tower with a narrow portal. |
Spain ES
| City | Madrid |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 47,486,935 |
| GDP per Capita | 47,111 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 6.9 t |
| CO2 (total) | 328.59 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 8.1 |
| Members | 349 |
| Number of Women | 148 |
| Share of Women | 42.4 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 136,066 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Madrid Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Narciso Pascual Colomer (ES) / Rubert de Ventos (ES), Oriol Clos (ES) and Josep Parcerisa (ES) |
| Year of Construction | 1850 / 1990 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 130,900 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Central Symmetry, Massive Columns |
| Notes | Inaugurated by Queen Isabella II on 31 October 1850, this building’s main façade is amongst Spain’s masterpieces of neoclassicism. A flight of steps ascends to a portico dominated by six Corinthian pillars. The two bronze lions at either side of the main steps are made from cannons captured from the opponents of the 1860 African war. In 1990 an extension was erected, featuring plenty of curved glazing and natural stone. |
Ethiopia ET
| City | Addis Ababa |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Federal Republic |
| Inhabitants | 120,283,026 |
| GDP per Capita | 3,435 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.6 t |
| CO2 (total) | 192.47 mio t |
| HDI | 0.5 |
| Democracy Index | 3.2 |
| Members | 472 |
| Number of Women | 195 |
| Share of Women | 41.3 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 254,837 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Addis Ababa Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1934 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 6,200 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Ramps |
| Notes | The Art Deco Building was built under Emperor Haile Selassie I and housed the first Parliament until it was deserted under Dergue rule. It sports mosaics of Ethiopia’s patron saint, St. George, and the Dragon as well as two Lions of Judah, a symbol of the Israelite tribe of Judah. Two gilt winged lions grace the gates to the building with the prominent clock tower which is now – returning to its original purpose – home to the bicameral assembly. |
Finland FI
| City | Helsinki |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 5,535,992 |
| GDP per Capita | 58,651 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 9.9 t |
| CO2 (total) | 54.81 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 9.3 |
| Members | 200 |
| Number of Women | 92 |
| Share of Women | 46 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 27,680 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Helsinki Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Johan Sigfrid Sirén (FI) |
| Year of Construction | 1931 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 195,600 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The classicist building of the Finnish parliament was extended twice in the course of its history – in 1978 and 2004. Europe’s most densely wooded country opted for panelling in different types of wood for the conference rooms in the most recent annex: ash, maple, birch, black poplar, alder, pine and elm are also the names of the various rooms. |
Fiji FJ
| City | Suva |
| Continent | Oceania |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 924,610 |
| GDP per Capita | 14,237 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 3.2 t |
| CO2 (total) | 2.98 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 5.6 |
| Members | 55 |
| Number of Women | 6 |
| Share of Women | 10.9 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 16,811 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Suva Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Vitia Architects (FJ) / Walter Frederick Hedges |
| Year of Construction | 1992 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 27,600 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, – /Massive Columns, Ramps, Traditional Roof/ – |
| Notes | Today’s parliament building in Fiji was built after the military putsch in 1987: characteristically, the architecture is dominated by autochthonous structures. Clear reference is made to the traditional Fijian dwelling – an allusion to the fact that the military putsch was characterised by ethnic conflict, particularly discrimination against the political and economic presence of the Fiji Indians. After the upcoming general elections in September 2014, the assembly plans to relocate to the government building complex in Suva. Update In 2014 the Government moved back to the existing building of the Colonial Administration in Suva, Classicist Building by Walter Frederick Hedges built between 1937-39. |
Federated States of Micronesia FM
| City | Palikir |
| Continent | Oceania |
| System | Federal Republic |
| Inhabitants | 113,131 |
| GDP per Capita | 3,688 $ |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Members | 14 |
| Number of Women | 2 |
| Share of Women | 14.3 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 8,081 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Palikir Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Architects Hawaii Limited (US) |
| Year of Construction | 1980s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Circular |
| Volume | 24,700 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Ramps, Traditional Roof |
| Notes | The 607 islands are governed by a popularly elected unicameral Congress of fourteen members, housed in a building of vernacular architecture. The executive branch consists of the President and his cabinet. As part of a Free Association with the United States, the federation receives regular financial aid from the US administration. After World War II, the islands were administered by the US as part of the United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI). |
France FR
| City | Paris |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 64,531,444 |
| GDP per Capita | 56,426 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 6.7 t |
| CO2 (total) | 430.36 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 8.1 |
| Members | 577 |
| Number of Women | 218 |
| Share of Women | 37.8 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 111,840 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Paris Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Lorenzo Giardini (IT)/ Jacques Gabriel (FR) |
| Year of Construction | 1728 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 160,100 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The changing owners of Palais Bourbon reflect France’s historico-political development, as the structure, originally built for the daughter of Louis XIV, was bought by his successor for the crown and later nationalised during the French Revolution. The “Council of the Five Hundred” first used it as the legislative Lower House, which it remains until today. Under Napoleon, architect Bernard Poyet designed the portico facing the banks of the river Seine. |
Gabon GA
| City | Libreville |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 2,341,179 |
| GDP per Capita | 18,171 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 8 t |
| CO2 (total) | 18.63 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 3.4 |
| Members | 143 |
| Number of Women | 21 |
| Share of Women | 14.7 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 16,372 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Libreville Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1990s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 152,400 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns |
| Notes | Since its independence in 1960, Gabon has had only three presidents, with France intervening twice to preserve the 33-year-long rule of Omar Bongo. The National Assembly with its vast portico resembles the shape of a crown and is about to see the construction of an annex worth 108 million dollars by a French construction company. Gabon is rich in oil and the French oil company Elf Aquitaine plays an important role in economic and political life. |
United Kingdom GB
| City | London |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 67,281,040 |
| GDP per Capita | 54,795 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 6.3 t |
| CO2 (total) | 426.56 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 8.3 |
| Members | 648 |
| Number of Women | 225 |
| Share of Women | 34.7 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 103,829 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
London Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Charles Barry (GB), Augustus Pugin (GB) |
| Year of Construction | 1870 |
| Plenary Hall Type | British |
| Volume | 350,000 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Massive Columns |
| Notes | Alongside the "Capitol" in Washington, the Houses of Parliament – properly known as the "Palace of Westminster" – in the United Kingdom were the foremost inspiration for building parliaments in modern-day Europe – and beyond. The neo-Gothic building was designed by Charles Barry and Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin after its predecessor was largely destroyed by fire. |
Grenada GD
| City | St. George’s |
| Continent | Central America and the Caribbean |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 124,610 |
| GDP per Capita | 18,757 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.6 t |
| CO2 (total) | 0.19 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Members | 16 |
| Number of Women | 5 |
| Share of Women | 31.3 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 7,788 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
St. George’s Google Maps |
|
| Architect | – / COCOA Architects |
| Year of Construction | late 17th century |
| Plenary Hall Type | unknown |
| Volume | 4,800 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | – /Cupola(s), – /Modern, – /Massive Columns |
| Notes | Historic York House, the seat of Grenada’s bicameral parliaments, was severely damaged by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, along with 90% of all homes on the island. Constructed around 1700 in an ornate Georgian style, the heritage site was pronounced structurally unsafe thereafter. Major funding for a new parliamentary building is being provided by Australia and the United Arab Emirates, and the local firm COCOA has been commissioned with its realisation. Update In 2018 the Government moved to a new building in St. George. The neo-classicist building holds a oval (nutmeg pod) plenary, designed by local architects and was financed by Australia, Grenada, Mexico and the UAE. |
Georgia GE
| City | Kutaisi |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 3,757,980 |
| GDP per Capita | 20,244 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 4.8 t |
| CO2 (total) | 18.05 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 5.2 |
| Members | 141 |
| Number of Women | 26 |
| Share of Women | 18.4 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 26,652 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Kutaisi Google Maps |
|
| Architect | CMD Ingenieros (ES) / Viktor Kokorin, Giorgie Lezhava, Vladimer Nasaridze |
| Year of Construction | 2011 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 273,600 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, – /Massive Columns, – /Ramps |
| Notes | The semi-spherical construction outside the capital has sparked heated debate. Proponents stress the symbolism of the transparent design and see its new location near Abkhazia as a decentralization of power, while critiques fear a marginalisation of the unicameral legislature whose power has grown following the Rose Revolution in 2003. On top of that, the new building stands on a former Soviet war memorial, whose clumsy demolition caused two deaths. Update The Parliament building in Kutasi is looking for new use after the government moved back to the old building in Tbilisi in 2019, a socialist realism building by the architects Viktor Kokorin, Giorgie Lezhava and Vladimer Nasaridze built between 1938 – 1953. |
Ghana GH
| City | Accra |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 32,833,032 |
| GDP per Capita | 6,779 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.6 t |
| CO2 (total) | 53.01 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Democracy Index | 6.4 |
| Members | 275 |
| Number of Women | 40 |
| Share of Women | 14.5 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 119,393 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Accra Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1965 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 28,000 m3 |
| Notes | The parliament house of Ghana is the seat of the unicameral legislature. The historic building was designed by the country's first president Kwame Nkrumah and underwent renovation recently. The unostentatious structure in front of a massive office-block meets with Ghana's record as one of Africa’s most shining democracies. It is flanked by two recent extensions, one of them housing the plenary hall. |
Gambia GM
| City | Conakry |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 2,639,916 |
| GDP per Capita | 2,634 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 0.9 t |
| CO2 (total) | 2.34 mio t |
| HDI | 0.5 |
| Democracy Index | 4.5 |
| Members | 58 |
| Number of Women | 5 |
| Share of Women | 8.6 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 45,516 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Conakry Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Shapoorji Palloni Engineering & Construction (IN) |
| Year of Construction | 2012 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 34,100 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Ramps |
| Notes | The financial resources for construction of Gambia’s new National Assembly building come from loans from the Republic of India. At the end of last year, just as the final phase of construction was under way, the country underwent a change in its diplomatic orientation, leaving the Commonwealth and establishing diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. |
Guinea GN
| City | Guinea |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 13,531,906 |
| GDP per Capita | 3,010 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 2.2 t |
| CO2 (total) | 29.28 mio t |
| HDI | 0.5 |
| Democracy Index | 2.3 |
| Members | 81 |
| Number of Women | 24 |
| Share of Women | 29.6 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 167,061 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Guinea Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | u.c |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 143,100 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | Opposite the monument to independence in a coastal park, the “Palace of the People” housed the unicameral parliament until it was suspended in 2008 following a coup d’état. Elections were delayed many times over the course of six years, sparking protests that killed dozens of people. Parliament was finally reinstated through elections in 2013 following mediation by the UN. The assembly held its opening session in January 2014. |
Equatorial Guinea GQ
| City | Malabo |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 1,634,466 |
| GDP per Capita | 18,716 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 7.1 t |
| CO2 (total) | 11.55 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Democracy Index | 1.9 |
| Members | 100 |
| Number of Women | 31 |
| Share of Women | 31 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 16,345 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Malabo Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1960s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | unknown |
| Volume | 4,500 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns |
| Notes | Malabo has had a bicameral parliament since 2011. The majority of the members of the senate are elected directly. President Nguema Obiang is the longest-serving president in the world, with his party winning all seats but one in the upper and lower house in 2013. While the small state has vast oil reserves, 76% of the population live below the national poverty line. |
Greece GR
| City | Athens |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 10,445,365 |
| GDP per Capita | 36,909 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 7.3 t |
| CO2 (total) | 76.03 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 8 |
| Members | 300 |
| Number of Women | 72 |
| Share of Women | 24 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 34,818 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Athens Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Bavaria Friedrich von Gärtner (DE) |
| Year of Construction | 1847 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 153,900 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The Greek parliament building is sometimes still referred to as the “Old Royal Palace”, as its original purpose was as a royal palace for King Otto of Greece. With the abolition of the monarchy, the building with the square plot, large portico and two interior courtyards was put to different purposes. Although the monarchy was reinstated briefly in 1935, Greece's now unicameral parliament has convened in the palace ever since. |
Guatemala GT
| City | Guatemala City |
| Continent | Central America and the Caribbean |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 17,608,484 |
| GDP per Capita | 10,023 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 2.6 t |
| CO2 (total) | 45.02 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Democracy Index | 4.7 |
| Members | 160 |
| Number of Women | 31 |
| Share of Women | 19.4 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 110,053 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Guatemala City Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1934 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 11,800 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry |
| Notes | The building which had previously housed “La Sociedad Económica de Amigos del País” had to be demolished as a result of severe damage incurred during an earthquake in 1917. Work on the new government building already commenced in 1926. This neo-classicist-style edifice with its 18 Ionic pillars cast in reinforced concrete is characterised by its dedication to minute detail. |
Guinea-Bissau GW
| City | Bissau |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 2,060,721 |
| GDP per Capita | 2,892 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.6 t |
| CO2 (total) | 3.24 mio t |
| HDI | 0.5 |
| Democracy Index | 2.6 |
| Members | 102 |
| Number of Women | 10 |
| Share of Women | 9.8 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 20,203 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Bissau Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 2004 |
| Plenary Hall Type | unknown |
| Volume | 18,500 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Traditional Roof |
| Notes | The Palace of the People and seat of “Assembleia Nacional Popular da Guiné-Bissau” consists of a central circular building topped by a truncated cone, which houses the plenary hall, and two elongated wings on either side for the administrative body. Its material and stylistic elements originate from the generic repertoire of international monumental construction. This construction project was funded by the People’s Republic of China. |
Guyana GY
| City | Georgetown |
| Continent | South America |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 804,567 |
| GDP per Capita | 42,699 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 9.7 t |
| CO2 (total) | 7.79 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 6.3 |
| Members | 71 |
| Number of Women | 26 |
| Share of Women | 36.6 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 11,332 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Georgetown Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Joseph Hadfield (GB) |
| Year of Construction | 1834 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 17,900 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry |
| Notes | This parliament building is a good example of 19th century neo-renaissance architecture. The walls of the plenary hall are made from mahogany and the floors are of local greenheart wood, which is an extremely hard and robust species and difficult to work using conventional hand tools. |
Honduras HN
| City | Tegucigalpa |
| Continent | Central America and the Caribbean |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 10,278,346 |
| GDP per Capita | 6,832 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 2.3 t |
| CO2 (total) | 23.74 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Democracy Index | 5.2 |
| Members | 128 |
| Number of Women | 35 |
| Share of Women | 27.3 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 80,300 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Tegucigalpa Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Mario Valenzuela (HN) |
| Year of Construction | 1951 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 22,900 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Massive Columns |
| Notes | What characterises this modern edifice of the “Palacio Legislativo” is its plenary hall on stilts, which appears to float like a ship above the audience at public events. The funnel-shaped and slightly curved building is connected to an administration wing, which is also built on stilts. This architectural ensemble seems to be as fragile as the country’s democracy, which was destabilised following the 2009 coup d’état. |
Croatia HR
| City | Zagreb |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 4,060,136 |
| GDP per Capita | 40,143 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 6 t |
| CO2 (total) | 24.18 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 6.5 |
| Members | 151 |
| Number of Women | 48 |
| Share of Women | 31.8 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 26,888 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Zagreb Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Lav Kalda and Karlo Susan |
| Year of Construction | 1737 / 1911 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 80,700 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Massive Columns |
| Notes | Although it had existed ever since the 13th century, the Croatian parliament only held its first session in its own building in 1737. Since this building soon became too small, neighbouring houses were purchased and merged to form a large palace. Because of this gradual process of adaptation, the parliament building represents a stylistic mixture of neo-classicism, neo-renaissance and art nouveau. |
Haiti HT
| City | Port-au-Prince |
| Continent | Central America and the Caribbean |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 11,447,569 |
| GDP per Capita | 3,161 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.3 t |
| CO2 (total) | 14.87 mio t |
| HDI | 0.5 |
| Democracy Index | 2.8 |
| Members | 0 |
| Number of Women | 0 |
| Share of Women | 0 % |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Port-au-Prince Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | u.c |
| Plenary Hall Type | unknown |
| Volume | 35,200 m3 |
| Notes | Haiti was the first independent nation of Latin America and the only nation worldwide established as a result of a slave revolt. Haiti’s Parliament building was destroyed during the earthquake in 2010. Since then, Haiti’s lawmakers have been meeting in a provisional building. In 2013, construction of a new building began, while the country is still struggling with the aftermath of an earthquake that left up to 316.000 people dead and 1.6 million homeless. |
Hungary HU
| City | Budapest |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 9,709,786 |
| GDP per Capita | 42,044 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 6.8 t |
| CO2 (total) | 66.21 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 6.6 |
| Members | 199 |
| Number of Women | 28 |
| Share of Women | 14.1 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 48,793 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Budapest Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Imre Steindl (HU) |
| Year of Construction | 1904 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 492,200 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Massive Columns |
| Notes | Situated on the riverfront, this neo-Gothic parliament building’s likeness to London’s Houses of Parliament is only a superficial one. While the asymmetric and differently sized towers of Westminster Palace rather highlight the picturesque aspect of Gothic architecture, Budapest’s parliament is strictly symmetric and dominated by the central cupola. The Crown of St. Stephen and Hungary’s imperial insignia are kept beneath this cupola as a symbol of national independence. |
Indonesia ID
| City | Jakarta |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 273,753,191 |
| GDP per Capita | 14,687 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 4.5 t |
| CO2 (total) | 1,240.83 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 6.7 |
| Members | 575 |
| Number of Women | 124 |
| Share of Women | 21.6 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 476,093 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Jakarta Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Soejoedi Wirjoatmodjo (ID) |
| Year of Construction | 1968 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 168,800 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Modern, Central Symmetry, Ramps |
| Notes | The “DPR/MPR building” houses the legislative, which has been a bicameral parliament since 2004. Commissioned by former President Suharto, it was intended to house the Conference of New Emerging Forces (CONEFO), a rival organisation of the UN that would comprise non-aligned countries. The building complex's main assembly hall seats 1700 people. During the events that eventually led to Suharto's fall, the parliament building was occupied by 80.000 students. |
Ireland IE
| City | Dublin |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 4,986,526 |
| GDP per Capita | 133,789 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 12.5 t |
| CO2 (total) | 62.42 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 9.1 |
| Members | 160 |
| Number of Women | 37 |
| Share of Women | 23.1 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 31,166 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Dublin Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Richard Cassels (DE) |
| Year of Construction | 1747 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 41,700 m3 |
| Notes | The home to Ireland’s bicameral parliament, also referred to as “Oireachtas”, began as a private mansion. Upon the landlord’s ascent to a Duke of Leinster in 1776, the mansion was given the title “Leinster House”. Before becoming the house of the legislature in 1922, the Royal Dublin Society used it as its headquarters, holding horse shows on the lawn which now hosts an obelisk, dedicated to the architects of Irish independence. |
Israel IL
| City | Jerusalem |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 9,550,000 |
| GDP per Capita | 52,349 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 9.2 t |
| CO2 (total) | 87.75 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 7.9 |
| Members | 120 |
| Number of Women | 29 |
| Share of Women | 24.2 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 79,583 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Jerusalem Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Joseph Klarwein (PL) |
| Year of Construction | 1966 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 209,500 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | While early representational buildings of Zionism strove to form a synthesis of western modernist and local architectural traditions, Israel’s “Knesset” building has emerged as a classical monumental parliament building. A colonnade of full-length columns surrounds a broad cubiform structure and an inner courtyard divided by the plenary hall. Josef Klarwein’s original design was substantially modified following criticism of its alleged fascist-connoted neoclassicism. |
India IN
| City | New Delhi |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 1,407,563,842 |
| GDP per Capita | 8,329 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 2.8 t |
| CO2 (total) | 3,943.26 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Democracy Index | 7 |
| Members | 538 |
| Number of Women | 82 |
| Share of Women | 15.2 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 2,616,290 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
New Delhi Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Edwin Lutyens (GB), Herbert Baker (GB) / Bimal Patel (IN) |
| Year of Construction | 1927 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 513,600 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s)/ – , Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The Indian parliament building “Sansad Bhavan” combines the circle – a prominent symbol of Indian iconology – with classicist elements of European tradition. Surrounded by a colonnade, this monumental parliament building rises majestically above a circular base. The central cupola hall is currently used for sessions of both chambers. Update The new Indian Parliament was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023. It is part of the "Great Vista Master Plan" for a new administrative area. The new building comprises two chambers in a triangular layout, with a structure similar to the current circular building but omitting courtyards and natural light. |
Iraq IQ
| City | Baghdad |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Federal Republic |
| Inhabitants | 43,533,593 |
| GDP per Capita | 12,322 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 8.5 t |
| CO2 (total) | 367.94 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 3.1 |
| Members | 329 |
| Number of Women | 95 |
| Share of Women | 28.9 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 132,321 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Baghdad Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1980s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 189,100 m3 |
| Notes | The Iraqi constitution vests two bodies with legislative authority, but the Council of Union has not yet been constituted, making the parliament de facto unicameral. It convenes in the Baghdad Convention Center within the International Green Zone until the new design by Iraqi-born architect Zaha Hadid is erected. The location of the building, aiming to represent a new, sovereign Iraq, is on the site of an unfinished mosque project by Saddam Hussein. |
Iran IR
| City | Tehran |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Islamic Republic |
| Inhabitants | 87,923,433 |
| GDP per Capita | 18,635 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 10.8 t |
| CO2 (total) | 951.98 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 2 |
| Members | 286 |
| Number of Women | 16 |
| Share of Women | 5.6 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 307,425 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Tehran Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Polmir Consulting Architects Engineers & Planners Co. (IR) |
| Year of Construction | 2004 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 369,400 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Central Symmetry, Ramps |
| Notes | The Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran or “Majlis” is housed in a modern building, shaped like a pyramid. The unicameral parliament can draft, debate, and pass legislation, but requires the approval of the Guardian Council for its decisions to turn into law. Candidacies for parliament are also approved or disqualified by the Guardian Council, which is in turn overseen by the Supreme Leader, leading to a high concentration of power at the top. |
Iceland IS
| City | Reykjavík |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 370,335 |
| GDP per Capita | 66,512 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 12.9 t |
| CO2 (total) | 4.77 mio t |
| HDI | 1 |
| Democracy Index | 9.5 |
| Members | 63 |
| Number of Women | 30 |
| Share of Women | 47.6 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 5,878 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Reykjavík Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Ferdinand Meldahl (DK)/ Batteriid Architects (IS, ext) |
| Year of Construction | 1881 / 2002 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 11,400 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Central Symmetry |
| Notes | Iceland – like the Bahamas – claims to have the oldest parliament in the world: political gatherings are said to have been held here continuously since the 10th century. The building housing the “Althing” today was built when the Danish crown granted Iceland its own constitution in 1874 – marking the 1000th anniversary of settlement. Batteriid Architects added an annex in 2002. |
Italy IT
| City | Rome |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 59,240,330 |
| GDP per Capita | 51,847 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 6.7 t |
| CO2 (total) | 394.75 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 7.7 |
| Members | 400 |
| Number of Women | 129 |
| Share of Women | 32.3 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 148,101 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Rome Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Gian Lorenzo Bernini (IT)/ Carlo Fontana (IT)/ Ernesto Basile (IT) |
| Year of Construction | 1694 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 205,400 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry |
| Notes | Palazzo Montecitorio has been the seat of the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian parliament since 1871. Before the capital of the Kingdom of Italy was relocated to Rome, the Chamber of Deputies met in buildings that were equally fascinating in terms of power politics: Palazzo Vecchio in Florence (i.a. the palace of Cosimo I de Medici) and Palazzo Carignano in Turin (i.a. the birthplace of Vittorio Emanuele II). |
Jamaica JM
| City | Kingston |
| Continent | Central America and the Caribbean |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 2,827,695 |
| GDP per Capita | 12,159 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 2.7 t |
| CO2 (total) | 7.71 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 7.1 |
| Members | 63 |
| Number of Women | 18 |
| Share of Women | 28.6 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 44,884 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Kingston Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Wilson Chong and Hoeck (JM) |
| Year of Construction | 1960 |
| Plenary Hall Type | British |
| Volume | 7,200 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern |
| Notes | Jamaica's bicameral parliament is seated at the “George William Gordon House”, named after a member of the House of Assembly - a predecessor to today's parliament - who was accused of instigating a revolt against colonial rule. A new building is in planning, as "Gordon House" only has one chamber. The Jamaican diaspora overseas might fund a new structure, as the country currently lives under the strict auspices of an IMF agreement on behalf of its indebtedness. |
Jordan JO
| City | Amman |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 11,148,278 |
| GDP per Capita | 12,106 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 3.1 t |
| CO2 (total) | 34.54 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 3.2 |
| Members | 130 |
| Number of Women | 16 |
| Share of Women | 12.3 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 85,756 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Amman Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Rasem Badran (JO, US) / Sigma Consulting Engineers (JO) |
| Year of Construction | 1980 / 1999 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Circular |
| Volume | 47,000 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry |
| Notes | With the exception of green Italian marble, only indigenous materials were used for the costly and elaborate interior decorations of this Parliament building. The polygonal assembly chamber with its oak panelling spans a cupola with a width of 28 metres. In 1999, the building was modernised both technically and structurally under the auspices of Sigma Architects. |
Japan JP
| City | Tokyo |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 124,612,531 |
| GDP per Capita | 49,044 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 9.5 t |
| CO2 (total) | 1,182.77 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 8.3 |
| Members | 462 |
| Number of Women | 48 |
| Share of Women | 10.4 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 269,724 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Tokyo Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Watanabe Fukuzo (JP), Takeuchi Shinshichi (JP) |
| Year of Construction | 1936 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 644,800 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Ramps |
| Notes | Berlin architects Wilhelm Böckmann and Hermann Ende, who had been invited to Tokyo as town planners in 1886, were the first to draft a design for the Japanese parliament. However, a temporary building was erected in 1890 instead of their monumental design. In 1918, Watanabe Fukuzo won the competition to design a new building. The tower and portico were built in a more contemporary style, inspired by another competition entry by Takeuchi Shinshichi. |
Kenya KE
| City | Nairobi |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 53,005,614 |
| GDP per Capita | 6,144 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 2.2 t |
| CO2 (total) | 117.89 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Democracy Index | 5.1 |
| Members | 348 |
| Number of Women | 81 |
| Share of Women | 23.3 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 152,315 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Nairobi Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Harold Thornley Dyer (GB) / Amyas Douglas Connell (NZ) |
| Year of Construction | 1954 / 1964 (ext) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 57,100 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern |
| Notes | The older part of the Kenyan parliament building resembles the Houses of Parliament in London. Besides featuring visible similarities, such as a clock tower like Big Ben, there are also some hidden ones. The building’s foundation stone, for instance, which had been recovered from the ruins of Westminster Palace after a 1941 air raid, was presented to the Kenyan parliament as a symbol of both countries’ close relations. |
Kyrgyzstan KG
| City | Bishkek |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 6,527,744 |
| GDP per Capita | 5,930 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 3.4 t |
| CO2 (total) | 21.94 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 3.6 |
| Members | 90 |
| Number of Women | 18 |
| Share of Women | 20 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 72,530 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Bishkek Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1970s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 94,800 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The building of the “Jogorku Kengesh” (Supreme Council) reflects the traditional character of Kyrgyz architecture. In 2005, it was the scene of violent uprisings during the Tulip Revolution. Although President Bakiyev’s position was initially strengthened, democratic forces finally asserted themselves in the long run. After the overthrow of Bakiyev in 2010, Kyrgyzstan became a parliamentary republic. |
Cambodia KH
| City | Phnom Penh |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 16,589,024 |
| GDP per Capita | 5,601 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 3 t |
| CO2 (total) | 50.02 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Democracy Index | 3.2 |
| Members | 125 |
| Number of Women | 26 |
| Share of Women | 20.8 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 132,712 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Phnom Penh Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 2007 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 188,700 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Traditional Roof |
| Notes | The bicameral parliament is housed in a Khmer-style building which was inaugurated in 2007, the year of the parliament's 60th anniversary. The legislature, which consists of the National Assembly (“Radhsphea”) and the Senate (“Protsaphea”) is now the most modern government building in the country. Built on the site of its predecessor but exceeding it many times in size, the castellated mansion that stands next to a casino cost 26 million dollars. |
Kiribati KI
| City | Ambo |
| Continent | Oceania |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 128,874 |
| GDP per Capita | 2,271 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 0.9 t |
| CO2 (total) | 0.11 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Members | 45 |
| Number of Women | 3 |
| Share of Women | 6.7 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 2,864 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Ambo Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Raymond Architectural Design Office (JP) |
| Year of Construction | 2000 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 13,900 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Traditional Roof |
| Notes | The “Maneaba Ni Maungatabu” is the unicameral parliament of Kiribati. The modern building was inaugurated in 2000 and mimics the style of traditional Kiribati huts. The structure which overlooks the ocean was built by a Japanese construction company. During World War II, the island nation was occupied by Japan and a site for US-Japanese warfare. |
Comoros KM
| City | Moroni |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 821,626 |
| GDP per Capita | 3,358 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.1 t |
| CO2 (total) | 0.92 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Democracy Index | 3.2 |
| Members | 24 |
| Number of Women | 4 |
| Share of Women | 16.7 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 34,234 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Moroni Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1970s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 41,400 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Ramps |
| Notes | The unicameral “Assembly of the Union of the Comoros” is housed in a modern building constructed with financial aid from China. In 1975, the parliament passed a unilateral resolution declaring independence from French rule. The three main islands that form the nation have significant independence under the Union and their respective constitutions, presidents and parliaments. The presidency of the Union rotates between them. |
Saint Kitts and Nevis KN
| City | Saint Kitts and Nevis |
| Continent | Central America and the Caribbean |
| System | Federal Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 47,607 |
| GDP per Capita | 27,617 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 3.2 t |
| CO2 (total) | 0.15 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Members | 16 |
| Number of Women | 5 |
| Share of Women | 31.3 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 2,975 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Saint Kitts and Nevis Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1980s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | British |
| Volume | 10,500 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Massive Columns |
| Notes | The “National Assembly” is the legislature of the federal two-island nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, the smallest state in the Americas. Though a unicameral parliament, it consists of directly elected representatives and appointed senators alike. Two senators are appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister and one on the advice of the opposition leader. |
North Korea KP
| City | Pyongyang |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 25,971,909 |
| GDP per Capita | 1,700 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 3.1 t |
| CO2 (total) | 81.29 mio t |
| Democracy Index | 1.1 |
| Members | 687 |
| Number of Women | 121 |
| Share of Women | 17.6 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 37,805 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Pyongyang Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1984 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 1,452,300 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The monumental, neoclassical “Mansudae” Assembly Hall, decorated with marble, granite and mural paintings, houses the Supreme People's Assembly. While formally the main legislature, the 687 representatives rarely convene, leaving the higher-ranking Presidium with all legislative power. Although the late Kim Il-Sung's self-proclaimed “Juche” ideology posits that the Korean people are the self-reliant masters of their own development, the dictatorian reality is leading the country into total isolation. |
Korea KR
| City | Seoul |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 51,830,139 |
| GDP per Capita | 53,736 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 14 t |
| CO2 (total) | 725.74 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 8 |
| Members | 299 |
| Number of Women | 57 |
| Share of Women | 19.1 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 173,345 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Seoul Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1975 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 561,300 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | Built in the tradition of the monumental archetype, this building consists of an oblong structure topped by a cupola and surrounded by a colonnade featuring full-length columns. The perforated façade, however, is somewhat untypical with its small structures and narrow windows behind the columns, which detract from the building’s otherwise grand appearance. This huge building was originally designed to house a grand Korean parliament after the unification of North and South Korea. |
Kuwait KW
| City | Kuwait City |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 4,250,114 |
| GDP per Capita | 51,471 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 39.5 t |
| CO2 (total) | 167.86 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 3.8 |
| Members | 50 |
| Number of Women | 1 |
| Share of Women | 2 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 85,002 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Kuwait City Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Jan und Jørn Utzon (DK) |
| Year of Construction | 1982 / 1992 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 253,300 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Massive Columns |
| Notes | The design of the National Assembly in Kuwait is reminiscent of a souk, while the canopy mimics Bedouin desert tents. During Gulf War I, the retreating Iraqi forces set fire to the building, resulting in partial damage that has since been restored. The Parliament was the first of the region and plays an active role in monitoring the government, as it has the constitutional right to approve and disapprove the ruling emir. |
Kazakhstan KZ
| City | Astana |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 19,196,466 |
| GDP per Capita | 30,544 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 17.3 t |
| CO2 (total) | 331.53 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 3.1 |
| Members | 98 |
| Number of Women | 18 |
| Share of Women | 18.4 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 195,882 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Astana Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Ahsel Group (TR) |
| Year of Construction | 2004 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 636,000 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Massive Columns |
| Notes | The seat of Kazakhstan's bicameral parliament pays tribute to President Nazarbayev's quest of replacing old Soviet architecture with modern buildings, even if it was not – as many others – regarded worthy of being commissioned to a star architect. Nazarbayev was the country's leader prior to the fall of the Soviet Empire and is its first and only president since its independence in 1991. The lower house shares the right of legislative initiative with the government, but the president can veto legislation passed by parliament. |
Laos LA
| City | Vientiane |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 7,425,058 |
| GDP per Capita | 9,207 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 5 t |
| CO2 (total) | 36.86 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Democracy Index | 1.8 |
| Members | 164 |
| Number of Women | 36 |
| Share of Women | 22 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 45,275 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Vientiane Google Maps |
|
| Architect | |
| Year of Construction | 1990 (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 23,200 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | – /Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, – / Massive Columns |
| Notes | The National Assembly is the unicameral parliament of Laos. Laos is a single-party state, dominated by the Revolutionary People's Party as the sole decision-maker. Despite the creation of the parliament in 1991 to replace the former Supreme People's Assembly, Laos is not an electoral democracy, as candidates for the National Assembly are selected by the Party. Currently a mere 4 out of 132 seats in the assembly are held by independent representatives. Update In 2021 Laos inaugurated a new parliament building. The huge construction located in Vientian, follows the scheme of classical symmetry and is crowned by a wide dome. The building was financed by Vietnam. |
Lebanon LB
| City | Beirut |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 5,592,631 |
| GDP per Capita | 14,257 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 5.7 t |
| CO2 (total) | 31.93 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 3.6 |
| Members | 128 |
| Number of Women | 8 |
| Share of Women | 6.3 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 43,692 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Beirut Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Mardiros H. Altounan (AM) |
| Year of Construction | 1933 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 26,400 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry |
| Notes | Lebanon's national assembly building is revivalist of orientalism and predated the golden age of the 1950's that would turn Beirut into the Arab world's avant-garde capital. Since its independence in 1926, the electoral laws of the unicameral parliament are based on a confessional quorum. But as the relative political weight of the confessional groups is a highly sensitive issue, no official census has been carried out since 1932. |
Saint Lucia LC
| City | Saint Lucia |
| Continent | Central America and the Caribbean |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 179,652 |
| GDP per Capita | 17,348 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 2.4 t |
| CO2 (total) | 0.43 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Members | 18 |
| Number of Women | 2 |
| Share of Women | 11.1 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 9,981 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Saint Lucia Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1980s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Circular |
| Volume | 9,400 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern |
| Notes | Under the 1979 constitution, Saint Lucia's bicameral parliament consists of a 18-member „House of Assembly“, elected for five years, and an appointed 11-member Senate. When the house is in session, a mace is placed on the parliament clerk's table. As in many other Commonwealth nations, the mace - in other cases a szepter - is a symbol of the authority of the parliament, with a sergeant at arms as its custodian. |
Liechtenstein LI
| City | Vaduz |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 39,040 |
| GDP per Capita | 139,100 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 5.1 t |
| CO2 (total) | 0.2 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Members | 25 |
| Number of Women | 7 |
| Share of Women | 28 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 1,562 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Vaduz Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Hansjörg Göritz (DE) |
| Year of Construction | 2008 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Circular |
| Volume | 14,700 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Traditional Roof |
| Notes | The Principality of Liechtenstein’s new »Landtag« building consists of different structures bearing the descriptive names of High House and Long House. As a place of assembly, one could interpret the High House with its saddle roof as a as a parliamentary »primitive hut«. Somewhat further up on the same slope with a direct sightline to the parliamentary complex stands Vaduz Castle – the seat of the Princely Family of Liechtenstein. |
Sri Lanka LK
| City | Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 21,773,441 |
| GDP per Capita | 14,283 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.8 t |
| CO2 (total) | 38.8 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 6.5 |
| Members | 225 |
| Number of Women | 12 |
| Share of Women | 5.3 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 96,771 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Deshamanya Geoffrey Bawa (LK) |
| Year of Construction | 1982 |
| Plenary Hall Type | British |
| Volume | 255,800 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Ramps, Traditional Roof |
| Notes | With its clear-cut geometric forms, nevertheless reflecting local influences, and its specific link to the environment, the parliamentary complex in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is in the style of tropical modernism pioneered by its architect Geoffrey Bawa. The precursor of this building was a classicist parliament building erected by the British colonial administration in Colombo. |
Liberia LR
| City | Monrovia |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 5,193,416 |
| GDP per Capita | 1,690 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1 t |
| CO2 (total) | 5.31 mio t |
| HDI | 0.5 |
| Democracy Index | 5.4 |
| Members | 73 |
| Number of Women | 8 |
| Share of Women | 11 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 71,143 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Monrovia Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Robert R. Köster (DE) / Monrovia General Construction Company (LR) |
| Year of Construction | 1956 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 45,700 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Massive Columns |
| Notes | The “Capitol Building” faces the President's mansion in the government quarter of Capitol Hill, paying tribute to the fact that the Liberian government is modelled on that of the USA. The design of the Capitol itself, which was partly damaged by a fire in 2013, also mimics its American counterpart. Despite these monumental buildings, the government is contemplating to move the capital away from the coast due to climate change and a growing population. |
Lesotho LS
| City | Maseru |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 2,281,455 |
| GDP per Capita | 3,100 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.3 t |
| CO2 (total) | 3.02 mio t |
| HDI | 0.5 |
| Democracy Index | 6.2 |
| Members | 121 |
| Number of Women | 32 |
| Share of Women | 26.4 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 18,855 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Maseru Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Yanjian Group Co. (CN) |
| Year of Construction | 2012 |
| Plenary Hall Type | unknown |
| Volume | 48,900 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps, Traditional Roof |
| Notes | Lesotho's bicameral parliament is housed in a modern building bankrolled by the Chinese government. Lesotho supports the One-China-Policy, as China only provides funds or aid to countries that do not maintain relations with Taiwan. The 2012 elections resulted in the successful transition of power to the opposition and the first coalition government in the tiny, landlocked mountain kingdom with a raging HIV/AIDS pandemic that infected one third of its population. |
Lithuania LT
| City | Vilnius |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 2,786,651 |
| GDP per Capita | 47,107 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 7.5 t |
| CO2 (total) | 20.85 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 7.3 |
| Members | 141 |
| Number of Women | 40 |
| Share of Women | 28.4 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 19,763 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Vilnius Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Algimantas & Vytautas Nasvytis (LT), Robertas Stasėnas (LT) |
| Year of Construction | 1980 / 2007 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 128,300 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Massive Columns |
| Notes | The tripartite Seimas Palace is home to the Lithuanian “Seimas” parliament. Designed by the brothers Algimantas and Vytautas Nasvytis who had actively participated in the Lithuanian »Sąjūdis« independency movement, this building integrates the barricades of 13th January 1991.Those barricades had been erected in order to protect the building, and thus national independence, against pro-Soviet fighters. |
Luxembourg LU
| City | Luxembourg City |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 639,321 |
| GDP per Capita | 138,193 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 13.3 t |
| CO2 (total) | 8.48 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 8.8 |
| Members | 60 |
| Number of Women | 21 |
| Share of Women | 35 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 10,655 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Luxembourg City Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Antoine Hartmann (LU) |
| Year of Construction | 1860 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 8,500 m3 |
| Notes | The Hall of the “Chamber of Deputies” houses Luxembourg's unicameral parliament, also referred to as "Krautmaart" after the street on which the historistic building stands. As the world`s last grand duchy, the Chamber shares legislative power with the government and the Grand Duke, with the latter fulfilling mainly a representative role. The constitution also provides for a Council of State: a de facto second chamber which advises the Chamber of Deputees. |
Latvia LV
| City | Riga |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 1,873,919 |
| GDP per Capita | 38,545 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 5.9 t |
| CO2 (total) | 11.11 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 7.4 |
| Members | 100 |
| Number of Women | 29 |
| Share of Women | 29 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 18,739 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Riga Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Robert Pflug (RU), Jānis Baumanis (LV) |
| Year of Construction | 1867 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 38,600 m3 |
| Notes | Latvia's unicameral "Saeima" parliament is housed in a building of an eclecticist design, with the facade and the plenary hall in the renaissance and some of the remaining halls in gothic style. During World War II, the SS occupied the building and looted its interiors. After the war, the Supreme Soviet convened in its halls, before the "Saeima" moved back into it in 1993 after Lithuanian independence. |
Libya LY
| City | Tripoli |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 6,735,277 |
| GDP per Capita | 20,358 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 15.5 t |
| CO2 (total) | 104.51 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 2.1 |
| Members | 170 |
| Number of Women | 28 |
| Share of Women | 16.5 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 39,619 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Tripoli Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Tabanlıoğlu Architects (TR) |
| Year of Construction | 2010 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 252,200 m3 |
| Notes | The National Congress, which has replaced the National Transitional Council since the end of civil war, holds its sessions in a contemporary building once planned as a congress centre. Surrounded by woodland, the building’s spacious entrance hall opens up into the surrounding countryside. The main building is flanked by a water basin that provides cool air circulation. Update The building was the scene of fierce fighting in 2014 and later abandoned. After a turbulent history, it is not possible to state the current seat of the Libyan Parliament. |
Morocco MA
| City | Rabat |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 37,076,585 |
| GDP per Capita | 9,878 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 3.1 t |
| CO2 (total) | 114.77 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 5 |
| Members | 395 |
| Number of Women | 96 |
| Share of Women | 24.3 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 93,865 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Rabat Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Adrien Laforgue (UY) |
| Year of Construction | 1930 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 43,600 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Massive Columns |
| Notes | The Moroccan House of Representatives convenes in the “Palais de Justice”, a soberly executed monumental design by architect Laforgue. He belonged to a group of architects that exerted a long-lasting influence on Moroccan architecture during the 1930s, in that they abstained from ornamental design, introducing abstract and reduced stylistic elements instead. |
Monaco MC
| City | Monaco |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 36,686 |
| GDP per Capita | 115,700 $ |
| Members | 24 |
| Number of Women | 11 |
| Share of Women | 45.8 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 1,529 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Monaco Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Jean-Michel Ughes, Cédric Reneville (Archistudio, MC) |
| Year of Construction | 2012 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 20,400 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Massive Columns |
| Notes | A semi-sphere forms the characteristic element in the new “Conseil National”. Clearly visible behind a glass façade, it projects the form of the plenary hall onto the outside, thus presenting the building’s purpose to the public. Before then, the National Council had held its meetings at the former Museum of Anthropology, where, due to the lack of office space, members of parliament had their desks in the corridors. |
Moldova MD
| City | Chisinau |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 3,061,507 |
| GDP per Capita | 15,617 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 4 t |
| CO2 (total) | 12.32 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 6.2 |
| Members | 101 |
| Number of Women | 39 |
| Share of Women | 38.6 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 30,312 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Chisinau Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Alexander Cherdantsev, Gregori Bosenko |
| Year of Construction | 1979 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 72,600 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Central Symmetry, Massive Columns |
| Notes | Originally, the parliament building housed the headquarters of the Communist party. This imposing building resembles an open book. Four large columns extending to the full height of the building mark the central entrance area. In spring 2009 the building was attacked by protesting students who had organised themselves via mobile phone. This revolution is since known as the “Twitter Revolution”. |
Montenegro ME
| City | Podgorica |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 627,859 |
| GDP per Capita | 25,927 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 2.9 t |
| CO2 (total) | 1.8 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 6.5 |
| Members | 81 |
| Number of Women | 23 |
| Share of Women | 28.4 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 7,751 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Podgorica Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1954 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 16,600 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern |
| Notes | The building of the Montenegrin parliament in Podgorica was designed in 1954. The parliament building was originally built as an offshoot of the National Bank of the Federative People’s Republic of Yugoslavia in Titograd – the former name of Podgorica. The Montenegrin Central Bank still uses the building’s basement today. |
Madagascar MG
| City | Antananarivo |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 28,915,653 |
| GDP per Capita | 1,821 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.2 t |
| CO2 (total) | 34.98 mio t |
| HDI | 0.5 |
| Democracy Index | 5.7 |
| Members | 151 |
| Number of Women | 28 |
| Share of Women | 18.5 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 191,494 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Antananarivo Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1960s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 20,400 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Central Symmetry |
| Notes | The National Assembly is the Lower House within the bicameral system of the second largest island state by surface area. It consists of 147 members in all and convenes in the capital Antananarivo. In 2014, Christine Razanamahasoa Harijaona was elected the first female President of the Lower House of this former French colony. |
Marshall Islands MH
| City | Majuro |
| Continent | Oceania |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 42,050 |
| GDP per Capita | 4,402 $ |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Members | 33 |
| Number of Women | 2 |
| Share of Women | 6.1 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 1,274 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Majuro Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1994 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 37,000 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Traditional Roof |
| Notes | Although both buildings hardly bear any formal resemblance to one another, the parliament building of the Marshall Islands does allude to the Capitol in Washington, at least by name. The Marshall Islands are in a Free Association with the United States, which allows the latter to carry out nuclear tests on the island state’s atolls. |
North Macedonia MK
| City | Skopje |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 2,103,330 |
| GDP per Capita | 20,053 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 5.3 t |
| CO2 (total) | 11.18 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 6.1 |
| Members | 120 |
| Number of Women | 51 |
| Share of Women | 42.5 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 17,528 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Skopje Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Victor J. Hudak (CZ)/ Biljana Ivanovska (CZ, ext) |
| Year of Construction | 1938 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 76,600 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Modern, Central Symmetry, Ramps |
| Notes | Although North Macedonia has existed under different governments and within varying borders since the construction of its parliament building, the building has always been used as a place of assembly. Since 2010, it has been continually adapted and extended, for example, to include a large cupola above the central axis. These extensions are expected to yield an additional 3900 m² of utility space. |
Mali ML
| City | Bamako |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 21,904,983 |
| GDP per Capita | 2,514 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 2.3 t |
| CO2 (total) | 49.38 mio t |
| HDI | 0.4 |
| Democracy Index | 3.2 |
| Members | 147 |
| Number of Women | 42 |
| Share of Women | 28.6 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 149,013 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Bamako Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1960s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 42,900 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Massive Columns |
| Notes | Two mosaic works are on display next to the entrance of the “Assemblée Nationale”, spelled out in bold letters on its roof. One of them depicts traditional Mali, while the other reflects the country’s splendid future in unity and prosperity. The latter has been at risk in the past, especially since the military coup of 2012. |
Myanmar MM
| City | Naypyidaw |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 53,798,085 |
| GDP per Capita | 4,847 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 3.1 t |
| CO2 (total) | 169.39 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Democracy Index | 0.7 |
| Members | 425 |
| Number of Women | 65 |
| Share of Women | 15.3 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 126,584 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Naypyidaw Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 2011 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 1,516,100 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps, Traditional Roof |
| Notes | With their construction of the planned city Naypyidaw during the last decade, the political elites of Myanmar have erected a monument in their own honour. The bicameral parliament “Pyidaungsu Hluttaw” is located in a megalomaniac complex consisting of 31 individual buildings and a presidential palace with 100 rooms in all. Formally, the roof of the palace resembles East Asian pagoda architecture. |
Mongolia MN
| City | Ulaanbaatar |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 3,347,783 |
| GDP per Capita | 13,971 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 18.8 t |
| CO2 (total) | 62.79 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 6.4 |
| Members | 76 |
| Number of Women | 13 |
| Share of Women | 17.1 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 44,050 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Ulaanbaatar Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 2006 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 252,400 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps, Traditional Roof |
| Notes | Visitors to the parliament building of the world’s least populated landlocked country are hailed by a statue of Genghis Khan seated on a throne upon the building’s central axis. The façade boasts lavish marble and brass decorations. Symmetrically arranged glazed superstructures on the roof are reminiscent of nomad yurts. |
Mauritania MR
| City | Nouakchott |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Islamic Republic |
| Inhabitants | 4,614,974 |
| GDP per Capita | 7,013 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 3.6 t |
| CO2 (total) | 16.67 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Members | 176 |
| Number of Women | 41 |
| Share of Women | 23.3 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 26,221 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Nouakchott Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1960s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 26,500 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | – / Central Symmetry, Ramps / – |
| Notes | The bicameral parliament consists of a directly elected national assembly and an indirectly elected senate with three seats reserved for Mauritanians overseas. After a military coup in 2008, the resource-rich country, in which an estimated half a million people continue to live under conditions of slavery, held disputed national elections in 2013. The EU pays the country 70 million Euros annually in exchange for allowing European vessels to fish in its waters. Update The government inaugurated the new Parliament - a building in historic islamic style - in 2023. |
Malta MT
| City | Valletta |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 526,748 |
| GDP per Capita | 58,072 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 4.1 t |
| CO2 (total) | 2.18 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 7.7 |
| Members | 79 |
| Number of Women | 22 |
| Share of Women | 27.8 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 6,668 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Valletta Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Renzo Piano (IT) |
| Year of Construction | u.c. |
| Plenary Hall Type | British |
| Volume | 20,800 m3 |
| Notes | In 2009 Renzo Piano started redesigning Valletta’s city gate, which included the conversion of the ruins of the opera house into an open-air theatre and the construction of a new parliament building. The new parliament’s façade creates an impressive visual impact through the pattern of thousands of stone panels, creating a structure both defensive and a fragile in character. |
Mauritius MU
| City | Port Louis |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 1,298,915 |
| GDP per Capita | 26,851 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 4.9 t |
| CO2 (total) | 6.41 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 8.1 |
| Members | 70 |
| Number of Women | 14 |
| Share of Women | 20 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 18,556 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Port Louis Google Maps |
|
| Architect | - - - / E.Maxwell Fry, Jane Drew and Partners (GB) |
| Year of Construction | 1738 / 1978 (ext) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 69,200 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The “National Assembly” is the unicameral parliament of Mauritius. It consists of 62 elected and 7 additional appointed members, known as "best losers" to ensure minority equal representation. The new building, with its modular elements, is related to Brutalist architecture. The façade shows the coat of arms with the dodo bird, which was native to the island and became extinct 300 years ago. |
Maldives MV
| City | Malé |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 521,458 |
| GDP per Capita | 33,208 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 4.6 t |
| CO2 (total) | 2.42 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Members | 87 |
| Number of Women | 4 |
| Share of Women | 4.6 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 5,994 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Malé Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1998 / 2011 (ext) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 27,000 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Traditional Roof |
| Notes | The Islamic island state`s unicameral parliament, known as “Majlis”, has its seat in the capital and economic centre of the Maldives, Malé. According to building restrictions imposed on the cityscape, no building is permitted to exceed the height of the tower of the Friday mosque. The parliament is a combination of geometrical shapes and unobtrusive Arabesque ornaments. |
Malawi MW
| City | Lilongwe |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 19,889,742 |
| GDP per Capita | 1,628 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.1 t |
| CO2 (total) | 20.92 mio t |
| HDI | 0.5 |
| Democracy Index | 5.9 |
| Members | 193 |
| Number of Women | 40 |
| Share of Women | 20.7 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 103,056 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Lilongwe Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 2000s |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 244,400 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | Embedded in an extensive garden complex, Malawi’s parliament building was funded by the People’s Republic of China after both nations had renewed diplomatic relations in 2008, and Malawi had openly endorsed the One-China policy. In recent years, the People’s Republic of China has contributed financially to a stadium and university. |
Mexico MX
| City | Mexico City |
| Continent | Central America and the Caribbean |
| System | Federal Republic |
| Inhabitants | 126,705,138 |
| GDP per Capita | 22,726 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 6.5 t |
| CO2 (total) | 819.87 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 5.3 |
| Members | 500 |
| Number of Women | 250 |
| Share of Women | 50 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 253,410 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Mexico City Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Pedro Ramírez Vázquez (MX) |
| Year of Construction | 1981 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 763,500 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The "Palacio Legislativo de San Lázaro" was named after its patron saint, Saint Lazarus, which may seem a bit strange for a parliament building: Saint Lazarus is the patron saint of butchers, gravediggers, beggars, and lepers. However, a symbolic connection can be excluded, because the railroad station, which was once located at this place, was also dedicated to Saint Lazarus. |
Malaysia MY
| City | Kuala Lumpur |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Federal Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 33,573,874 |
| GDP per Capita | 34,392 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 10.5 t |
| CO2 (total) | 353.92 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 7.3 |
| Members | 222 |
| Number of Women | 30 |
| Share of Women | 13.5 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 151,234 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Kuala Lumpur Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Malaysian Public Works Department (MY) |
| Year of Construction | 1963 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 175,200 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Massive Columns |
| Notes | The “Bangunan Parlimen Malaysia” building complex consists of a three-storey main building and a 17-storey highrise housing both chambers of the Malaysian parliament. Initiated by the first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, this building features international stylistic elements designed by Ivor Shipley, a British employee of the Malaysian governmental building authority. |
Mozambique MZ
| City | Maputo |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 32,077,072 |
| GDP per Capita | 1,468 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.2 t |
| CO2 (total) | 40.07 mio t |
| HDI | 0.4 |
| Democracy Index | 3.5 |
| Members | 250 |
| Number of Women | chamber is suspended |
| Inhabitants per MP | 128,308 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Maputo Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Group (CN) |
| Year of Construction | 1999 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 16,500 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern |
| Notes | Cordial relations have existed between China and Mozambique ever since the former supported the Mozambique Liberation Front’s quest for independence during the 1960s. In 1988, China also funded the “Assembleia da República”. China has listed the country as an approved travel destination since 2006. |
Namibia NA
| City | Windhoek |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 2,530,151 |
| GDP per Capita | 10,916 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 5.2 t |
| CO2 (total) | 13.1 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Democracy Index | 6.5 |
| Members | 104 |
| Number of Women | 46 |
| Share of Women | 44.2 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 24,328 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Windhoek Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Gottlieb Redecker (NA) |
| Year of Construction | 1913 |
| Plenary Hall Type | British |
| Volume | 60,100 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The National Assembly – the Republic of Namibia’s lower house – holds its sessions at the so-called “Ink Palace”. Originally designed as an administration centre, this building is a typical example of German colonial architecture. It was also during that period that the German people playfully nicknamed the building Ink Palace on account of the enormous amount of ink used by the officials working there. |
Niger NE
| City | Niamey |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 25,252,722 |
| GDP per Capita | 1,507 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.7 t |
| CO2 (total) | 43.24 mio t |
| HDI | 0.4 |
| Democracy Index | 3.7 |
| Members | 166 |
| Number of Women | 51 |
| Share of Women | 30.7 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 152,125 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Niamey Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1958 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 18,900 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry |
| Notes | The unicameral “Assemblée Nationale du Niger“, established through reforms during the independence of France in 1960, is the sole legislative body. During the course of military rule the assembly was modified, after the "Nigerien coup d’état" 1996 suspended and reinstated in 1999. The mud architecture of the parliament relates to the Sudano-Sahelian style common to the islamic peoples of the Sahel Zone. |
Nigeria NG
| City | Abuja |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 213,401,323 |
| GDP per Capita | 5,909 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.9 t |
| CO2 (total) | 407.69 mio t |
| HDI | 0.5 |
| Democracy Index | 4.2 |
| Members | 360 |
| Number of Women | 14 |
| Share of Women | 3.9 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 592,781 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Abuja Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Atelier Guillaume de Monfreid (FR) |
| Year of Construction | 2000 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 90,600 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The National Assembly of Africa’s most populous country is a bicameral system corresponding to the American model. Kenzo Tange designed the master plan for Abuja. The 60 million dollar building is symmetrically organised with a central cupola measuring 50 metres and flanked by flat rectangular buildings, held in the national colours of white and green. |
Nicaragua NI
| City | Managua |
| Continent | Central America and the Caribbean |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 6,850,540 |
| GDP per Capita | 7,181 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 3.1 t |
| CO2 (total) | 21.03 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 2.5 |
| Members | 91 |
| Number of Women | 47 |
| Share of Women | 51.6 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 75,281 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Managua Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Hopkins&Dentz (US) / Alfonso Matus & Jorge Sacasa (NI, ext) / Nelson Brown Barquero (NI, ext) |
| Year of Construction | 1938 / 1982 / 2001 (ext) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 215,300 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s) |
| Notes | The building complex of the “Asamblea Nacional” consists of three parts. Hopkins & Dentz Architects originally designed the oldest part in 1938 to house the State bank. In 1981, Alfonso Matus and Jorge Sacasa extended the building by adding an adjoining longitudinal wing to the west. In 2001, Nelson Brown Barquero enclosed the two existing building parts with L-shaped structures on two sides, according to his interpretation of local architecture. |
Netherlands NL
| City | The Hague |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 17,501,696 |
| GDP per Capita | 69,963 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 9.6 t |
| CO2 (total) | 167.85 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 9 |
| Members | 150 |
| Number of Women | 61 |
| Share of Women | 40.7 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 116,678 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
The Hague Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Pi de Bruijn (de Architekten Cie, NL) |
| Year of Construction | 1991 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 160,700 m3 |
| Notes | The new building for the Second Chamber of the States-General adjoins the “Binnenhof” complex in the Hague, that has grown since mediaeval times. As in British parliament, discussions in this assembly, which corresponds to a lower chamber, must go through the speaker: he is the only person who is addressed directly, and the third person must be used when responding to another member’s statement. |
Norway NO
| City | Oslo |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 5,403,021 |
| GDP per Capita | 78,408 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 12.9 t |
| CO2 (total) | 69.97 mio t |
| HDI | 1 |
| Democracy Index | 9.8 |
| Members | 169 |
| Number of Women | 78 |
| Share of Women | 46.2 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 31,971 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Oslo Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Emil Victor Langlet (SE) |
| Year of Construction | 1866 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 78,500 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | Emil Victor Langlet designed Norway’s parliament building “Stortinget” in neo-Romanesque style during his studies in Italy. From 1951 to 1959, it was restored and a new building added. The National Assembly is also known to most Norwegians as “Løvebakken”, meaning Lion’s Hill, because the main stairway is flanked by stone lions. |
Nepal NP
| City | Kathmandu |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Federal Republic |
| Inhabitants | 30,034,990 |
| GDP per Capita | 4,770 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.9 t |
| CO2 (total) | 56.74 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Democracy Index | 4.5 |
| Members | 272 |
| Number of Women | 90 |
| Share of Women | 33.1 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 110,423 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Kathmandu Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Chinese government architects (CN) |
| Year of Construction | 1993 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 134,700 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The second constitutional assembly of Nepal was elected in 2013 after the first had failed and was dissolved. Their seat is located in the former “Birendra International Convention Centre” in Kathmandu. Erected with financial aid from the People’s Republic of China and inaugurated in 1993, this building complex blends Nepalese and Chinese elements with modern architecture. |
Nauru NR
| City | Yaren |
| Continent | Oceania |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 12,512 |
| GDP per Capita | 11,026 $ |
| Members | 19 |
| Number of Women | 2 |
| Share of Women | 10.5 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 659 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Yaren Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Steve Langford & Peter Moore (NZ) |
| Year of Construction | 1990s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 2,000 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Traditional Roof |
| Notes | The 19 members of this parliament, known as “The House”, meet in an opulent building complex, mainly built of pink and white marble. For a long time, the Nauru people thrived very well from phosphate mining on their island. After completely extracting those resources, the country became increasingly impoverished. Meanwhile however, it has been able to stabilise its financial situation by putting supporting measures in place. |
New Zealand NZ
| City | Wellington |
| Continent | Oceania |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 5,129,728 |
| GDP per Capita | 51,861 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 16.1 t |
| CO2 (total) | 82.72 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 9.6 |
| Members | 120 |
| Number of Women | 60 |
| Share of Women | 50 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 42,748 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Wellington Google Maps |
|
| Architect | John Campbell (GB)/ Basil Spence (GB, Beehive) |
| Year of Construction | 1922 / 1981 (ext) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 170,500 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | Large parts of this government building were destroyed by a fire in 1907. In 1912, civil servant and official architect John Campbell submitted two design projects he had designed together with two other colleagues, winning the first and fourth places. As a result of subsequent protest, Mr Campbell lost his membership in the chamber of architects. In 1922, however, he was able to complete his neo-Baroque/neoclassicism style building up to the central projection. Finally, in 1981, Sir Basil Spence finished off the complex by adding a part known as the “Beehive”. |
Oman OM
| City | Muscat |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 4,520,471 |
| GDP per Capita | 41,251 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 30.4 t |
| CO2 (total) | 137.24 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 3.1 |
| Members | 86 |
| Number of Women | 2 |
| Share of Women | 2.3 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 52,564 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Muscat Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Moller Architects (NZ) |
| Year of Construction | 2012 |
| Plenary Hall Type | British |
| Volume | 779,900 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns |
| Notes | Inspired by Omani tradition, Moller Architects’ entry won the internationally tendered competition for the design of “Majlis Oman”. This 750 million dollar project was completed within three years. Its main structural elements consist of massive load-bearing walls with small-format openings in order to reduce the impact of solar radiation as well as for security reasons. |
Panama PA
| City | Panama City |
| Continent | Central America and the Caribbean |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 4,351,267 |
| GDP per Capita | 37,336 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 4.2 t |
| CO2 (total) | 18.48 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 6.9 |
| Members | 71 |
| Number of Women | 16 |
| Share of Women | 22.5 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 61,285 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Panama City Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Ignacio Mallol (Mallol & Mallol, PA) |
| Year of Construction | 2013 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 61,500 m3 |
| Notes | Inaugurated in 2013, the new building of “Asamblea Nacional de la República de Panamá” continues the tradition of its predecessor. According to parliamentary president Sergio Galvez, this triangular building with its envelope of shiny metal panels and tinted bulletproof glass represents a modern and self-confident edifice that holds its own amongst the parliaments of the world. |
Peru PE
| City | Lima |
| Continent | South America |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 33,715,472 |
| GDP per Capita | 15,325 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 3.1 t |
| CO2 (total) | 105.14 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 5.9 |
| Members | 129 |
| Number of Women | 50 |
| Share of Women | 38.8 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 261,360 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Lima Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Emile Robert (FR)/ Claudio Sahut (FR), Ricardo de Jaxa Malachowski (UA) |
| Year of Construction | 1908 / 1938 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 47,500 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns |
| Notes | Designed by French architect Emile Robert, the “Palacio del Congreso” was inaugurated in 1908. In the 1930ies, architects Claudio Sahut and Richard Jaxa Malachowski modified the building and redesigned its façade in Belle Époque style. Besides this conversion, Malachowski has shaped Lima’s cityscape with a series of prominent designs, such as for the Government Palace, the Columbian embassy and the façade of the City Theatre. |
Papua New Guinea PG
| City | Port Moresby |
| Continent | Oceania |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 9,949,437 |
| GDP per Capita | 4,282 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 0.9 t |
| CO2 (total) | 9.1 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Democracy Index | 6 |
| Members | 115 |
| Number of Women | 2 |
| Share of Women | 1.7 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 86,517 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Port Moresby Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Cecil Hogan (AU) |
| Year of Construction | 1984 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 169,200 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Traditional Roof |
| Notes | In December 2013, the Speaker of Parliament, Theo Zurenuoc, caused quite a stir when he had carvings removed from the lintel over the portal to parliament, claiming that they were demonic and cursed. Commentators see Zurenuoc’s actions not as a sign of magical beliefs, but rather as a targeted strategy to create a new national symbolism distinct from traditional forms. |
Philippines PH
| City | Manila |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 113,880,328 |
| GDP per Capita | 10,497 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 2.3 t |
| CO2 (total) | 265.3 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 6.7 |
| Members | 311 |
| Number of Women | 85 |
| Share of Women | 27.3 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 366,175 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Manila Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Felipe M. Mendoza (PH) |
| Year of Construction | 1978 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 289,900 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Central Symmetry, Traditional Roof |
| Notes | Until 1944, the parliament of the Philippines shared a neo-classicist building with the National Library. The new building project commencing in Quezon City in 1956 was never completed. In 1973, one year after Ferdinand Marcos had promulgated martial law, the building was demolished and replaced by a new building designed by Felipe Mendoza. Since the country’s 1973 constitution had solely made provision for a unicameral system, the building only offers enough room for the House of Representatives. |
Pakistan PK
| City | Islamabad |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Federal Islamic Republic |
| Inhabitants | 231,402,117 |
| GDP per Capita | 6,685 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 2.4 t |
| CO2 (total) | 546.1 mio t |
| HDI | 0.5 |
| Democracy Index | 4.1 |
| Members | 342 |
| Number of Women | 70 |
| Share of Women | 20.5 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 676,614 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Islamabad Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Edward Durell Stone (US) |
| Year of Construction | 1986 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 220,000 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Central Symmetry |
| Notes | Because of his love of Mughal architecture, American architect Edward Durell Stone was commissioned by the Pakistan government to design three of Islamabad’s most important buildings: the seat of the President, the Parliament and the Cabinet. Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, his design ironically emphasizes horizontal alignment and is free from all traditional stylistic elements. |
Poland PL
| City | Warsaw |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 38,307,726 |
| GDP per Capita | 43,480 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 10.5 t |
| CO2 (total) | 400.82 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 7 |
| Members | 460 |
| Number of Women | 130 |
| Share of Women | 28.3 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 83,278 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Warsaw Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Kazimierz Skórewicz (PL) |
| Year of Construction | 1928 / 1952 (ren) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 212,900 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Ramps |
| Notes | The history of the “Sejm”, the Polish national assembly, dates back to the 12th century. The seat of this parliament has been located in an adapted girls’ school since 1919. During extension work in the 1920ies, the building received the plenary hall that has shaped public life until today. The building was renovated from 1949 to 1952, due to damage incurred during the Second World War, and several buildings were added to it. |
Palestine PS
| City | Ramallah |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Semi-autonomous republic |
| Inhabitants | 5,133,392 |
| GDP per Capita | 6,368 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 17.1 t |
| CO2 (total) | 87.75 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 3.9 |
| Members | 0 |
| Number of Women | 0 |
| Share of Women | 0 % |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Ramallah Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1970s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 8,400 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry |
| Notes | The Legislative Council, which is the parliament of the Palestinian territories, holds its sessions in the centre of Ramallah. However, the land has been governed by presidential decree as of June 2007, as no sessions have been held since then. The seat of the government planned to be erected in Abu Dis was never completed, because that part of East Jerusalem was cut off from the rest of the city when Israel started building a wall in December 2003. |
Portugal PT
| City | Lisbon |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 10,290,103 |
| GDP per Capita | 42,634 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 5.8 t |
| CO2 (total) | 59.71 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 8 |
| Members | 230 |
| Number of Women | 83 |
| Share of Women | 36.1 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 44,740 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Lisbon Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Baltazar Alvares (PS)/ Fernando Távora (PS, ext) |
| Year of Construction | 1598 / 1999 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 235,900 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | Once a Benedictine monastery, "São Bento Palace" houses the Assembly of the Republic. The once even more stately structure was severely damaged in the earthquake of 1755 and later nationalised when religious orders were expelled. A fire in 1895 led to the palace's restructuring in the neoclassical style, the stairs with the two marble lions flanking it were added in 1941. Today, the prime minister's office is situated in the rear of the building. |
Palau PW
| City | Ngerulmud |
| Continent | Oceania |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 18,024 |
| GDP per Capita | 14,526 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 78.7 t |
| CO2 (total) | 1.42 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Members | 16 |
| Number of Women | 1 |
| Share of Women | 6.3 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 1,127 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Ngerulmud Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Joe Farrell (Architects Hawaii Limited, US) |
| Year of Construction | 2006 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 76,900 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | Palau's bicameral parliament building "Olbiil Era Kelulau" is a miniature replica of Washington's Capitol and sits on a hill overlooking the small city which counts a mere 391 inhabitants. As part of the so-called Capitol-Complex funded by low-interest loans from Taiwan, it was newly constructed when the country's capital was moved from Koror, the biggest city, to Melekeok state on the biggest island, in an effort to redistribute power among the altogether 250 islands. |
Paraguay PY
| City | Asunción |
| Continent | South America |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 6,703,799 |
| GDP per Capita | 14,553 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 6.8 t |
| CO2 (total) | 45.57 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 5.9 |
| Members | 80 |
| Number of Women | 18 |
| Share of Women | 22.5 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 83,797 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Asunción Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Gaetano Moretti (IT) |
| Year of Construction | 2003 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 106,200 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | With a gleaming facade of glass under a flying roof and a singular red pillar, Paraguay's newly constructed legislative palace is rich in postmodern symbolism. The structure replaced a historic building that mixed neoclassical elements and colonial style archways as home to the country's bicameral congress. In 2012, the Congress voted near-unanimously to impeach then President Lugo and oust him after a two-day trial in what many consider was a coup d'etat. |
Qatar QA
| City | Doha |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 2,688,235 |
| GDP per Capita | 115,045 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 72.4 t |
| CO2 (total) | 194.65 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 3.7 |
| Members | 45 |
| Number of Women | 2 |
| Share of Women | 4.4 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 59,739 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Doha Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Rader Mileto Batori Architects (IT) |
| Year of Construction | 1983 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 233,900 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | Qatar passed a new constitution in 2003 that created a legislative body: two thirds of this Advisory Council "Majlis Al-Shura" are to be elected directly and one third appointed by the Emir, whose family has had a monopoly in power since the mid-19th century. The first general elections for the new consultative assembly, which requires the Emir's endorsement for new laws to pass, were initially planned for 2013, but then indefinitely postponed. |
Romania RO
| City | Bucharest |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 19,328,560 |
| GDP per Capita | 38,721 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 6.1 t |
| CO2 (total) | 117.06 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 6.5 |
| Members | 330 |
| Number of Women | 63 |
| Share of Women | 19.1 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 58,571 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Bucharest Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Anca Petrescu (RO) |
| Year of Construction | 1997 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 2,293,600 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | Architect Anca Petrescu won the competition to design the Palace of the People in 1983 when she was only 26. Housing estates containing roughly 40,000 living units, a dozen churches and three synagogues had to be demolished to make way for this project. After the overthrow of dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu, it was considered turning this complex into casinos and luxury hotels. Today it is home to the Romanian parliament and other cultural institutions. |
Serbia RS
| City | Beograd |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 7,296,769 |
| GDP per Capita | 23,920 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 4.2 t |
| CO2 (total) | 30.87 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 6.3 |
| Members | 250 |
| Number of Women | 87 |
| Share of Women | 34.8 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 29,187 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Beograd Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Jovan Ilkić (RS)/ Pavle Ilkić (RS) |
| Year of Construction | 1936 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 106,500 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The National Assembly "Skupština" is housed in a domed building with a grand portico in the style of classical rationalism. Its construction was postponed due to the outbreak of World War I which led to a number of stylistic modifications in order to accommodate the bicameral parliament of the former Kingdom of Yugoslavia. During the October Overthrow of Milošević in 2000, the building was damaged and some of its interior art work looted. |
Russia RU
| City | Moscow |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Federal Republic |
| Inhabitants | 145,102,755 |
| GDP per Capita | 33,263 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 17.8 t |
| CO2 (total) | 2,579.8 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 2.3 |
| Members | 450 |
| Number of Women | 74 |
| Share of Women | 16.4 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 322,451 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Moscow Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Arkady Langman (UA) |
| Year of Construction | 1935 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 373,500 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns |
| Notes | The Russian “Duma” is the lower house of the Russian Federation. Built in constructivist style, this 10-storey building’s eventful history includes housing the Soviet Council of Ministers prior to a change in the constitution in 1993, when today’s bicameral parliament replaced the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union. Russian parliament has the right to override the President’s veto. In the so-called hunter’s row in sight distance of the Kremlin, the façade of this monumental building still bears the old Soviet coat of arms. |
Rwanda RW
| City | Kigali |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 13,461,888 |
| GDP per Capita | 2,867 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 0.7 t |
| CO2 (total) | 9.03 mio t |
| HDI | 0.5 |
| Democracy Index | 3.1 |
| Members | 80 |
| Number of Women | 49 |
| Share of Women | 61.3 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 168,274 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Kigali Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1960s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 68,600 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Ramps |
| Notes | Rwanda has the highest share of women in parliament in the world, as the constitution reserves 30% of the seats in both chambers for women. Nonetheless, women's participation as leaders outside the parliament remains marginal, and women's seats are elected by provincial councils. The parliament lacks independence, and restrictions banning parties based on ethnicity or religion following the Tutsi genocide have further manifested the rule of the dominant party. |
Saudi Arabia SA
| City | Riyadh |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 35,950,396 |
| GDP per Capita | 61,808 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 22.5 t |
| CO2 (total) | 810.51 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 2.1 |
| Members | 151 |
| Number of Women | 30 |
| Share of Women | 19.9 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 238,082 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Riyadh Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1990s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 391,300 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The Consultative Assembly ("Majlis as-Shura") was introduced in 1993 as part of limited reforms, but power remains with the royal family and political parties are forbidden. The king legislates by decree and the Consultative Assembly, whose members are appointed by the king, merely acts in an advisory capacity. The first female councillors appointed in 2013 use separate entrances to access the building, the porticos of which reflect the style of early Islamic archways. |
Solomon Islands SB
| City | Honiara |
| Continent | Oceania |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 707,851 |
| GDP per Capita | 2,325 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 0.8 t |
| CO2 (total) | 0.59 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Members | 50 |
| Number of Women | 4 |
| Share of Women | 8 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 14,157 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Honiara Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1994 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Circular |
| Volume | 28,000 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Central Symmetry, Ramps, Traditional Roof |
| Notes | Since the pivotal role of the Solomons in the Pacific War, the United States has maintained close diplomatic relations with this island state, funding construction of the parliament building after independence – among other things to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Guadalcanal Campaign. Fifty years later, it was also possible to overcome an old enmity – the construction firm was from Japan. |
Seychelles SC
| City | Victoria |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 106,471 |
| GDP per Capita | 37,089 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 11.3 t |
| CO2 (total) | 1.2 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Members | 35 |
| Number of Women | 8 |
| Share of Women | 22.9 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 3,042 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Victoria Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1990s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | British |
| Volume | 15,300 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns |
| Notes | The Seychellois unicameral parliament „Lasanble Nasyonal Sesel” consists of 32 members who are partly directly elected and partly appointed proportional to the percentage of votes received by each party. China was involved in the design and contributed the majority of the required funds for this as well as a number of other public buildings, which prompted many members of the opposition party to abstain from the opening ceremony in protest. |
Sudan SD
| City | Omdurman |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 45,657,202 |
| GDP per Capita | 4,366 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 0.5 t |
| CO2 (total) | 21 mio t |
| HDI | 0.5 |
| Democracy Index | 2.5 |
| Members | 481 |
| Inhabitants per MP | 94,921 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Omdurman Google Maps |
|
| Plenary Hall Type | Circular |
| Volume | 108,400 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns |
| Notes | Sudan's bicameral parliament operates on the basis of the interim constitution from 2005. A new constitution is being written following South Sudan's independence, but the opposition and civil society are excluded from the process. Nearly continuous civil war since 1956, a president charged with genocide and rigged elections obstruct democracy in the country, whose oilfields are dominated by China in exchange for aid. |
Sweden SE
| City | Stockholm |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 10,467,097 |
| GDP per Capita | 65,496 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 5.8 t |
| CO2 (total) | 60.64 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 9.4 |
| Members | 349 |
| Number of Women | 162 |
| Share of Women | 46.4 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 29,992 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Stockholm Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Aron Johansson (SE) |
| Year of Construction | 1905 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 256,800 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The Swedish “Riksdag” is located in a building complex that was originally intended for the Parliament and the State bank. The State bank was situated in the rear, semi-circular structure, where today’s assembly rooms for the political fractions are. The newly erected plenary hall is located on the top floor, offering panoramic views over the city. Just as in Norway, the Swedish parliament’s seating plan is arranged according to regions, not political parties. |
Singapore SG
| City | Singapore |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 5,941,061 |
| GDP per Capita | 127,564 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 11.9 t |
| CO2 (total) | 70.47 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 6.2 |
| Members | 103 |
| Number of Women | 30 |
| Share of Women | 29.1 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 57,680 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Singapore Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Public Works Departement (SG) |
| Year of Construction | 1999 |
| Plenary Hall Type | British |
| Volume | 115,400 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | In order to find an adequate design for a new parliament building in the early 1990s, the unicameral assembly assigned a Committee on the Parliament Complex Development Project to consult with architects. The parliamentary committee made overseas visits to the Parliament House in Canberra, Australia and to parliamentary buildings in Europe to incorporate some role models in the new design. |
Slovenia SI
| City | Ljubljana |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 2,119,410 |
| GDP per Capita | 50,059 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 8.6 t |
| CO2 (total) | 18.28 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 7.8 |
| Members | 90 |
| Number of Women | 34 |
| Share of Women | 37.8 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 23,549 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Ljubljana Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Vinko Glanz (ME) |
| Year of Construction | 1959 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Circular |
| Volume | 48,700 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Central Symmetry |
| Notes | The parliamentary building in Ljubljana houses both chambers of the bicameral legislature. The plain appearance of the building which was also used as a meeting place during the Socialist Republic of Slovenia is contrasted by the figurative decoration of the portal, depicting workers as lively sculptures. |
Slovakia SK
| City | Bratislava |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 5,447,622 |
| GDP per Capita | 39,490 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 8.4 t |
| CO2 (total) | 45.56 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 7.1 |
| Members | 150 |
| Number of Women | 33 |
| Share of Women | 22 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 36,317 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Bratislava Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Ľudovít Jendreják, Peter Puškár, Ján Šilinger |
| Year of Construction | 1993 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 87,500 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Ramps |
| Notes | Situated on Alexander-Dubček Square, the building faces a bust of that key politician of the Prague Spring. Originally conceived in 1986 as Slovakia’s parliament within the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, the building was still unfinished after the velvet revolution of 1989. For converting it into the seat of the Slovakian National Council, statues of Communist leader Klement Gottwald had to be removed. |
Sierra Leone SL
| City | Freetown |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 8,420,641 |
| GDP per Capita | 1,986 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 0.8 t |
| CO2 (total) | 7.12 mio t |
| HDI | 0.5 |
| Members | 146 |
| Number of Women | 19 |
| Share of Women | 13 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 57,676 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Freetown Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Dov Karmi (IL), Ram Karmi (IL) |
| Year of Construction | 1961 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 21,400 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Modern, Ramps |
| Notes | The parliament building in Sierra Leone was bankrolled by Israeli loans at the wake of the independence of the country. The architectural firm Karmi, Melzer & Karmi was commissioned with the design of the building, which blends into its surroundings using red stone that was excavated from the very hill of the building. Dov and Ram Karmi were also involved in the design of the “Knesset”, the Israeli parliament. |
San Marino SM
| City | San Marino |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 33,746 |
| GDP per Capita | 75,335 $ |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Members | 60 |
| Number of Women | 20 |
| Share of Women | 33.3 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 562 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
San Marino Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Francesco Azzurri (IT) |
| Year of Construction | 1894 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 16,500 m3 |
| Notes | Erected in the 19th century, the Palazzo Pubblico, which is home to the unicameral parliament of San Marino, the “Consiglio Grande e Generale”, is reminiscent of the defensive architecture of Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio, the latter having been at the centre of world power for centuries. The parliament of this tiny landlocked country re-elects its heads of state every six months. |
Senegal SN
| City | Dakar |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 16,876,720 |
| GDP per Capita | 4,126 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.8 t |
| CO2 (total) | 30.61 mio t |
| HDI | 0.5 |
| Democracy Index | 5.7 |
| Members | 165 |
| Number of Women | 76 |
| Share of Women | 46.1 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 102,283 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Dakar Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Daniel Badani (FR), Pierre Roux-Dorlut (FR) |
| Year of Construction | 1956 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 55,400 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Central Symmetry, Ramps |
| Notes | Senegal’s national assembly represents the lower house of the country’s bicameral system, whose seat is at the former building of the “Grand Conseil de l’Afrique Occidentale Française”. This building’s imposing block structure is intersected by a flatter wing with a prominent ramp ascending to its main entrance. Inaugurated in 1956, this building was erected with French financial aid. |
Somalia SO
| City | Mogadishu |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Federal Republic |
| Inhabitants | 17,065,581 |
| GDP per Capita | 1,323 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 2 t |
| CO2 (total) | 33.36 mio t |
| Members | 274 |
| Number of Women | 54 |
| Share of Women | 19.7 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 62,283 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Mogadishu Google Maps |
|
| Architect | MAJOVAKI (IT) |
| Year of Construction | 1972 / 2013 |
| Plenary Hall Type | unknown |
| Volume | 49,000 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | Somalia’s parliament used to convene in a building in the capital Mogadishu that was renowned for its well-balanced alignment and elegant proportions. After suffering severe damage during the 2010 civil war, the building lay in ruins. It was partially rebuilt with the help of Turkey in 2012. |
Suriname SR
| City | Paramaribo |
| Continent | South America |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 612,985 |
| GDP per Capita | 17,550 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 7.3 t |
| CO2 (total) | 4.5 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 7 |
| Members | 51 |
| Number of Women | 15 |
| Share of Women | 29.4 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 12,019 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Paramaribo Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Peter Nagel (NL) |
| Year of Construction | 1954 |
| Plenary Hall Type | British |
| Volume | 11,800 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Traditional Roof |
| Notes | Originally built of timber in 1718, the seat of the Suriname national assembly was completely destroyed by a fire on August 1st 1996. The parliament then relocated to the “Het Park” building situated on Independence Square in Paramaribo. This contemporary concrete building was civil engineer P.J Nagel’s first assignment in Suriname. |
South Sudan SS
| City | Juba |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Federal Republic |
| Inhabitants | 10,748,273 |
| GDP per Capita | 484 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 0.1 t |
| CO2 (total) | 1.58 mio t |
| HDI | 0.4 |
| Democracy Index | 2.5 |
| Members | 550 |
| Number of Women | 178 |
| Share of Women | 32.4 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 19,542 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Juba Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 2000s |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 48,300 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Ramps |
| Notes | Since the current transitional constitution concedes enormous power to President Salva Kiir – he is politically immune and has the power to dissolve the parliament – the country is not an elective democracy. The first permanent constitution is to be drafted by 2015. However, this crucial step is likely to be further postponed because of the bloody conflict in connection with the vice president’s failed coup d’état in December 2013. |
São Tomé and Príncipe ST
| City | São Tomé |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 223,108 |
| GDP per Capita | 4,704 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.2 t |
| CO2 (total) | 0.26 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Members | 55 |
| Number of Women | 8 |
| Share of Women | 14.5 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 4,057 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
São Tomé Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1975 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 77,100 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | Completed directly after the country’s accession to independence (1975), this building is amongst Africa’s older generation of infrastructural buildings funded by the People’s Republic of China. As opposed to current investments, earlier projects had been the logical result of the Cold War and process of decolonisation. However, it is worth noting that this small country maintains diplomatic relations to Taiwan. |
El Salvador SV
| City | San Salvador |
| Continent | Central America and the Caribbean |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 6,314,168 |
| GDP per Capita | 10,989 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 2.1 t |
| CO2 (total) | 13.07 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 5.1 |
| Members | 84 |
| Number of Women | 23 |
| Share of Women | 27.4 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 75,169 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
San Salvador Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Juan José Rodríguez (SV) |
| Year of Construction | 1975 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 138,100 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern |
| Notes | Salvadorian architect Juan José Rodrigez designed the »Edificio Salón Azul«, the parliament building and home to the plenary hall of San Salvador. Standing on a slight elevation at the end of a spacious square, this building is accessible over a broad flight of steps. The façade of the building, which tapers towards the rear, arches over to the outside, thus repeating the curve of the plenary hall. |
Syria SY
| City | Damascus |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 21,324,367 |
| GDP per Capita | 2,900 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 2.2 t |
| CO2 (total) | 46.31 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Democracy Index | 1.4 |
| Members | 250 |
| Number of Women | 27 |
| Share of Women | 10.8 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 85,297 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Damascus Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1954 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 21,300 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Massive Columns |
| Notes | The building with the ornate facade housing the unicameral People's Council "Majlis al-Sha'ab" draws on elements from Abbasid and Fatimid architecture. Until 2012 Syria was constitutionally a single-party state, ruled by Assad's Baath party, and elections in 2012 were held among open warfare and boycotted by the opposition. A coalition of opposition forces aiming to replace Bashar al-Assad's government has formed an interim government. |
Swaziland SZ
| City | Lobamba |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 1,192,271 |
| GDP per Capita | 10,882 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 2.8 t |
| CO2 (total) | 3.39 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Democracy Index | 3 |
| Members | 74 |
| Number of Women | 11 |
| Share of Women | 14.9 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 16,112 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Lobamba Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1990s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 18,400 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Ramps |
| Notes | Despite the fact that King Mswati III signed the first constitution in 2005, Swaziland can hardly be described as a democracy. The king is an absolute monarch equipped with supreme power over the cabinet, legislative and judicative bodies. Political parties are prohibited, and members of the bicameral parliament, which is elected for a five-year term, are not allowed to initiate legislation. |
Chad TD
| City | N'Djamena |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 17,179,740 |
| GDP per Capita | 1,711 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 5.2 t |
| CO2 (total) | 89.84 mio t |
| HDI | 0.4 |
| Democracy Index | 1.7 |
| Members | 197 |
| Number of Women | 51 |
| Share of Women | 25.9 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 87,207 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
N'Djamena Google Maps |
|
| Architect | ISC Corporation (TD) |
| Year of Construction | 2013 |
| Plenary Hall Type | unknown |
| Volume | 77,900 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | Despite a tense political situation, a new parliament was inaugurated in Chad at the end of 2013. A government press release describes the building as the “fruit of cooperation with China”, with the latter funding the project with loans and donations. Oil-rich Chad maintains close relations with the People’s Republic of China on other infrastructure projects too. |
Togo TG
| City | Lomé |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 8,644,829 |
| GDP per Capita | 2,577 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.3 t |
| CO2 (total) | 11.09 mio t |
| HDI | 0.5 |
| Democracy Index | 3 |
| Members | 91 |
| Number of Women | 18 |
| Share of Women | 19.8 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 94,998 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Lomé Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1975 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 81,300 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern/ – , Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, – / Ramps |
| Notes | A curved, tent-shaped, free-form archway with a centrally inserted circular balcony marks the entrance of the “Palais du Congrès”. This flat three-armed concave building is not only home to the national assembly – the parliament of Togo’s unicameral system – but also to the National Museum whose opening was celebrated in 1975. Update A new Parliament, inaugurated in 2018, was financed and built by China. |
Thailand TH
| City | Bangkok |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 71,601,103 |
| GDP per Capita | 21,153 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 6.5 t |
| CO2 (total) | 463.87 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 6.7 |
| Members | 500 |
| Number of Women | 96 |
| Share of Women | 19.2 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 143,202 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Bangkok Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Pol Chulasawake |
| Year of Construction | 1973 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 57,100 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps, Traditional Roof |
| Notes | The curved roof of Thailand's Parliament House distinguishes it as a building from the modern period of Thai architecture, which reflected the cultural transition in economic, social and political life from the 30s to the 70s. Elections to the bicameral parliament in 2014 were annulled after the outnumbered opposition blocked polling stations in protest of the elections, because it demands an appointed people's council as opposed to a democratically elected government. Update The new, monumental parliament building was inaugurated in 2021. It combines a classicist-western overall design with Buddhist formal elements, such as the roof of the building with a temple form in the center. In addition to the parliament, the huge building complex includes other public and private uses. |
Tajikistan TJ
| City | Dushanbe |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 9,750,064 |
| GDP per Capita | 4,943 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 2.3 t |
| CO2 (total) | 22.83 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 1.9 |
| Members | 31 |
| Number of Women | 8 |
| Share of Women | 25.8 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 314,518 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Dushanbe Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1940s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 72,000 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | – /Cupola(s), – /Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | Dushanbe is increasingly modernising its architectural face but has preserved an example of early Soviet architecture for its bicameral parliament. The building used to house the Supreme Soviet, and recent renovation work revealed the busts of Stalin, Lenin, Marx and Engels in a hidden room. The poorest of the post-Soviet republics continuously fails to meet basic democratic standards. |
East Timor TL
| City | Dili |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 1,320,942 |
| GDP per Capita | 5,479 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.9 t |
| CO2 (total) | 2.48 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Democracy Index | 7.1 |
| Members | 65 |
| Number of Women | 22 |
| Share of Women | 33.8 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 20,322 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Dili Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 2002 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 59,700 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Traditional Roof |
| Notes | In 2002, the parliament building of East Timor was renovated with the help of Australian development aid during the course of the country’s independence. It is a one-storey building bordered with arcades that are effectively doubled by a further row of frieze-like blind arcades on the protruding cornices of the building. East Timor was the first country to become independent in the 21st century. |
Turkmenistan TM
| City | Ashgabat |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 6,341,855 |
| GDP per Capita | 19,059 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 20.3 t |
| CO2 (total) | 128.92 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 1.7 |
| Members | 125 |
| Number of Women | 32 |
| Share of Women | 25.6 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 50,735 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Ashgabat Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 2002 |
| Plenary Hall Type | unknown |
| Volume | 98,900 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The parliament of this gas-rich state is housed in a classicist building, with a tent-like dome intended to lend a local touch to the whole. It is situated in the capital Ashgabat, which features prominently in the Guinness Book of World Records: from the highest density of white marble to the largest area of public wells and the largest covered Ferris wheel – the capital of Turkmenistan is a city of superlatives. |
Tunisia TN
| City | Le Bardo |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 12,262,946 |
| GDP per Capita | 12,723 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 4.1 t |
| CO2 (total) | 49.82 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 5.5 |
| Members | 154 |
| Number of Women | 25 |
| Share of Women | 16.2 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 79,630 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Le Bardo Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Hamda ibn Uthman (TN), Muhammad al-Gharbi (TN) |
| Year of Construction | 13th cent. / 19th cent. (ext) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 62,300 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s) |
| Notes | Tunisia's Constituent Assembly is the country's provisional legislative organ instructed with the task of governing and devising a new constitution following the 2011 Jasmine revolution. It convenes in the "Bardo Palace" which also houses the National Museum and dates back to the 13th century. Representatives in the Constituent Assembly were voted to the Assembly in the first free and fair elections in the country's history. |
Tonga TO
| City | Nukuʻalofa |
| Continent | Oceania |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 106,017 |
| GDP per Capita | 6,686 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 2.7 t |
| CO2 (total) | 0.28 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Members | 28 |
| Number of Women | 2 |
| Share of Women | 7.1 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 3,786 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Nukuʻalofa Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1990s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 500 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Traditional Roof |
| Notes | The unicameral “Fale Alea” is the legislative assembly of the constitutional monarchy under King Topou VI. Like some other representational buildings in Tonga’s capital, the parliament house was prefabricated in New Zealand. Out of the 28 members of parliament only 17 are directly elected, the remaining 11 are appointed by the 33 hereditary nobles of Tonga or ex officio members. |
Turkey TR
| City | Ankara |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 84,775,404 |
| GDP per Capita | 39,301 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 8.1 t |
| CO2 (total) | 687.53 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 4.4 |
| Members | 600 |
| Number of Women | 119 |
| Share of Women | 19.8 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 141,292 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Ankara Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Clemens Holzmeister (AT) |
| Year of Construction | 1961 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 343,100 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The design of Austrian architect Clemens Holzmeister, who fled the Nazis, was embraced by Atatürk as he felt it radiated the strength and durability of the Republic of Turkey. The ideas of Kemalist laicism continue to clash with religious-conservative visions of statehood. Parliamentary elections in 2011 saw the first legal campaigning in Kurdish, but state repression of Kurdish opposition parties and high electoral thresholds for small parties to enter parliament persist. |
Trinidad and Tobago TT
| City | Port of Spain |
| Continent | Central America and the Caribbean |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 1,525,663 |
| GDP per Capita | 30,075 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 30.1 t |
| CO2 (total) | 45.91 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 7.2 |
| Members | 42 |
| Number of Women | 12 |
| Share of Women | 28.6 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 36,325 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Port of Spain Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Richard Bridgens (TT)/ D.M. Hahn (TT, ren) |
| Year of Construction | - - - / 1906 (rec, ren) |
| Plenary Hall Type | British |
| Volume | 47,600 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Massive Columns |
| Notes | The "Red House", named after its striking colour, is home to the island nation's Westminster-model parliament. Damaged in 1903, it was rebuilt and refined with stucco ceilings, a rotunda cupola and a parapet on the roof. An attempted coup d'état in 1990 left the building shelled and 24 people dead, but democracy intact. |
Tuvalu TV
| City | Vaiaku |
| Continent | Oceania |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 11,204 |
| GDP per Capita | 5,376 $ |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Members | 16 |
| Number of Women | 1 |
| Share of Women | 6.3 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 700 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Vaiaku Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Landmark Inc (CN) |
| Year of Construction | 2005 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 23,300 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Traditional Roof |
| Notes | Covering a site of 1800m², the parliament in Tuvalu’s capital and main atoll Funafuti is the largest building anywhere on the atoll. The new building was a gift from the People’s Republic of China to Tuvalu. The greatest challenge facing the fourth-smallest state in the world is the ongoing reduction of available land caused by the predicted sea level rise. |
Taiwan TW
| City | Taipei |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 23,859,912 |
| GDP per Capita | 69,151 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 12.9 t |
| CO2 (total) | 307.68 mio t |
| Democracy Index | 9 |
| Members | 0 |
| Number of Women | 0 |
| Share of Women | 0 % |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Taipei Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1960s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 96,000 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry |
| Notes | The legislative "Yuan" has replaced the former National Assembly in a series of reforms until the latter‘s suspension in 2005. Parliamentary conduct is lively, and brawls and fist fights involving dozens of legislators have occurred multiple times. In March of 2014, students have occupied the debating chamber, demanding the renegotiation of an economic cooperation agreement with China and legislation that grants parliament the right to scrutinise such agreements. |
Tanzania TZ
| City | Dodoma |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 63,588,334 |
| GDP per Capita | 3,394 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.4 t |
| CO2 (total) | 89.38 mio t |
| HDI | 0.5 |
| Democracy Index | 5.1 |
| Members | 393 |
| Number of Women | 147 |
| Share of Women | 37.4 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 161,802 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Dodoma Google Maps |
|
| Architect | K&M Archplans Limited (KE) |
| Year of Construction | 2008 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 55,200 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Massive Columns |
| Notes | The unicameral National Assembly building "Bunge" with a conical and vaulted roof that mimics traditional houses has a lively debating culture that borders on uncontrollable mass walkouts and shouting matches. Parliamentarians inquired into the linkage between aid and oil field licenses given to a Chinese company conglomerate. They succeeded in revoking the licenses, but the country is struggling to pay for its own development. |
Ukraine UA
| City | Kyiv |
| Continent | Europe |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 43,531,422 |
| GDP per Capita | 12,660 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 4.8 t |
| CO2 (total) | 208.61 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 5.4 |
| Members | 416 |
| Number of Women | 85 |
| Share of Women | 20.4 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 104,643 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Kyiv Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Volodymyr Zabolotny (UA) |
| Year of Construction | 1939 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 77,900 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The “Verkhovna Rada” is a typical example of neoclassical Soviet architecture from the Stalin-era. Home to a unicameral parliament, it is designed in a rectangular symmetric form with an octagonal session hall, spanned by a dome made from glass and metal that illuminates the structure at night. A gilded Soviet star from the top of the building was cut off in a symbolic act, while the Ukrainian flag was flying at half-mast in mourning of the dead of the Euromaidan-crisis. |
Uganda UG
| City | Kampala |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 45,853,778 |
| GDP per Capita | 3,027 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.2 t |
| CO2 (total) | 56.49 mio t |
| HDI | 0.5 |
| Democracy Index | 4.6 |
| Members | 556 |
| Number of Women | 188 |
| Share of Women | 33.8 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 82,471 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Kampala Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Peatfield & Bodgener (UG) |
| Year of Construction | 1962 |
| Plenary Hall Type | British |
| Volume | 75,900 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The building that houses the unicameral legislative of Uganda was commissioned when Uganda was still a British protectorate, and was complemented by the “Independence Arch” at the wake of the country’s independence. The prominent water tower not only supplies water for the complex, but also indicates ongoing parliamentary sessions with light signals, a reference to the Kenyan parliament building, which includes a replica of “Big Ben”. |
United States of America US
| City | Washington, D.C. |
| Continent | Northern America |
| System | Federal Republic |
| Inhabitants | 336,997,624 |
| GDP per Capita | 76,348 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 17.9 t |
| CO2 (total) | 6,017.44 mio t |
| HDI | 0.9 |
| Democracy Index | 7.9 |
| Members | 435 |
| Number of Women | 125 |
| Share of Women | 28.7 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 774,707 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Washington, D.C. Google Maps |
|
| Architect | William Thornton (GB)/ Benjamin Henry Latrobe (GB), Charles Bulfinch (US)/ Thomas U. Walter (US, ext) |
| Year of Construction | 1826 / 1836 (ext) / 2008 (ext) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 590,800 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The “United States Capitol“, located on Capitol Hill, houses the bicameral legislature of the USA, the Congress. The building served as a role model for many other parliament buildings with its neo-classical structure and its iconic dome. The Capitol was built in very long construction periods and with adaptions under various architects, due to changing needs of the legislative chambers, the restoration after the War of 1812, and planning mistakes. |
Uruguay UY
| City | Montevideo |
| Continent | South America |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 3,426,260 |
| GDP per Capita | 27,227 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 12.2 t |
| CO2 (total) | 41.91 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Democracy Index | 8.9 |
| Members | 99 |
| Number of Women | 26 |
| Share of Women | 26.3 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 34,609 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Montevideo Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Jacobo Vásquez Varela (UY), Antonio Banchini (IT) |
| Year of Construction | 1925 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 180,000 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The neo-classicist “Palacio Legislativo” building was inaugurated on 25th August 1925 to mark the country’s 100th year of independence from Brazil, and is the largest building in Uruguay. Italian architect Victor Meano submitted the original design. After his death in 1904, Varela and Banchini continued his work. Italian architect Moretti designed the interior of the building. |
Uzbekistan UZ
| City | Tashkent |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 34,081,449 |
| GDP per Capita | 9,634 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 6.7 t |
| CO2 (total) | 227.21 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 2.1 |
| Members | 140 |
| Number of Women | 47 |
| Share of Women | 33.6 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 243,439 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Tashkent Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Valerij Akopjanyan |
| Year of Construction | 1997 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Circular |
| Volume | 188,000 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The classicist, domed building supported by white columns with a lavish interior of gold, granite and a chandelier weighing 4 ½ tons houses the Supreme Assembly "Oliy Majlis". Content does not, however, follow form: longterm President Karimov suppresses any serious political opposition, leaving only sham opposition parties. In the presidential elections of 2000, even the alleged opposition candidate himself openly admitted to voting for Karimov. |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines VC
| City | Kingstown |
| Continent | Central America and the Caribbean |
| System | Monarchy |
| Inhabitants | 104,332 |
| GDP per Capita | 16,185 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.5 t |
| CO2 (total) | 0.15 mio t |
| HDI | 0.8 |
| Members | 22 |
| Number of Women | 4 |
| Share of Women | 18.2 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 4,742 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Kingstown Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Vernon Harry Lee (GB) |
| Year of Construction | 1980s |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 4,400 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | – /Central Symmetry, Massive Columns |
| Notes | The House of Assembly is the unicameral legislative of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which is located in the so-called “Courthouse Building”. The two-story colonial era structure serves as courthouse and parliament, and stands out with its coloured stones, that accentuate the windows and portals of the building. Update The building moved to temporary new site. |
Venezuela VE
| City | Caracas |
| Continent | South America |
| System | Federal Republic |
| Inhabitants | 28,199,867 |
| GDP per Capita | 7,259 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 6 t |
| CO2 (total) | 169.52 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 2.2 |
| Members | 167 |
| Number of Women | 37 |
| Share of Women | 22.2 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 168,861 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Caracas Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Luciano Urdaneta Vargas (VE) |
| Year of Construction | 1877 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Semi-circle |
| Volume | 45,100 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Central Symmetry, Ramps |
| Notes | This magnificent building commissioned by President Antonio Guzman Blanco in 1872 was built to plans of the architect Luciano Urdaneta Vargas in the neoclassicist style. The façade is symmetrical with a portico in the middle and three column-like portals carried by two caryatids symbolising law and liberty. |
Vietnam VN
| City | Hanoi |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 97,468,029 |
| GDP per Capita | 13,284 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 5 t |
| CO2 (total) | 489.16 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 2.7 |
| Members | 499 |
| Number of Women | 151 |
| Share of Women | 30.3 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 195,327 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Hanoi Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Gerkan Marg & Partner (DE) |
| Year of Construction | u.c. |
| Plenary Hall Type | Classroom |
| Volume | 263,300 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | The Communist Party represents some 90% of the members of the National Assembly, with its Central Committee and Politburo dominating the country’s politics. The National Assembly met at the predecessor building “Ba Đình Hall” until its demolition in 2008. The new parliament planned by GMP architects from Hamburg was inaugurated in August 2014. |
Vanuatu VU
| City | Port Vila |
| Continent | Oceania |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 319,137 |
| GDP per Capita | 2,890 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.8 t |
| CO2 (total) | 0.59 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Members | 52 |
| Number of Women | 1 |
| Share of Women | 1.9 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 6,137 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Port Vila Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1991 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 30,600 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Central Symmetry, Traditional Roof |
| Notes | Vanuatu remained an Anglo-French condominium until 1980 and modelled its parliament on the Westminster system. Despite its modest population size, many political parties compete for power and the current parliament is made up of representatives from 16 different parties. Outside the building, which was constructed with Chinese aid, are sculptures of a Ni-Vanuatu family and a pig's tusk - both are elements of the country's coat of arms. |
Samoa WS
| City | Apia |
| Continent | Oceania |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 218,764 |
| GDP per Capita | 5,839 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 2.5 t |
| CO2 (total) | 0.55 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Members | 54 |
| Number of Women | 7 |
| Share of Women | 13 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 4,051 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Apia Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1972 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Circular |
| Volume | 10,000 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Ramps, Traditional Roof |
| Notes | The Samoan parliament building, reminiscent of a segment of a sphere, makes reference to the traditional Samoan dwelling, that is usually circular or oval in shape and topped by a dome. The parliament building does, however, differ from the original in one detail: unlike the traditional dwelling, this public building has closed walls. |
Yemen YE
| City | Sanaa |
| Continent | Asia |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 32,981,642 |
| GDP per Capita | 2,021 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.2 t |
| CO2 (total) | 38.01 mio t |
| HDI | 0.5 |
| Democracy Index | 2 |
| Members | 245 |
| Number of Women | 0 |
| Share of Women | 0 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 134,619 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Sanaa Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Albert Speer & Partner GmbH (DE) |
| Year of Construction | u.c. |
| Plenary Hall Type | unknown |
| Volume | 280,300 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Cupola(s), Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | Against the background of the "Arab Spring" the parliament passed emergency laws enabling the president to further censor and suppress his critics. Presidential elections in 2012 took the »one man, one vote« principle too literally when the incumbent president Hadi was the sole candidate. In 2001, Speer & Partner won a competition for a new parliament complex. |
South Africa ZA
| City | Cape Town |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 59,392,255 |
| GDP per Capita | 15,718 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 9 t |
| CO2 (total) | 534.53 mio t |
| HDI | 0.7 |
| Democracy Index | 7.1 |
| Members | 400 |
| Number of Women | 182 |
| Share of Women | 45.5 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 148,481 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Cape Town Google Maps |
|
| Architect | Charles Freeman (GB), Henry Greaves (GB)/ Herbert Baker (GB, ext) |
| Year of Construction | 1876 / 1884 / 1920s (ext) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 151,700 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Massive Columns, Ramps |
| Notes | Architect Charles Freeman designed a domed edifice for what was then the Parliament of the Cape of Good Hope, but poorly judged the building’s foundation. The dome was never built and architect Henry Greaves undertook the finalisation of the parliament. The adjacent House of Assembly, which was added as one of several architectural changes, mimics the style of the Westminster model and reflects a tumultuous constitutional past of war and racial tricameralism. |
Zambia ZM
| City | Lusaka |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 19,473,125 |
| GDP per Capita | 3,846 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.6 t |
| CO2 (total) | 30.33 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Democracy Index | 5.8 |
| Members | 167 |
| Number of Women | 25 |
| Share of Women | 15 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 116,606 |
| Flag |
|
| Axiometry |
|
|
Location
Lusaka Google Maps |
|
| Year of Construction | 1970s (est) |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 40,600 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | Modern, Central Symmetry, Massive Columns |
| Notes | Housed in a neo-classical building after the declaration of independence, Zambia's National Assembly was given a new building in 1967 in a moderate modernist style. Zambia is considered a progressive African democracy and has peacefully handed over power in the past. A parliamentary media center was financed and built by China, but foreign investors are bound by conditions. |
Zimbabwe ZW
| City | Harare |
| Continent | Africa |
| System | Republic |
| Inhabitants | 15,993,524 |
| GDP per Capita | 2,523 $ |
| CO2 (per Capita) | 1.9 t |
| CO2 (total) | 30.19 mio t |
| HDI | 0.6 |
| Democracy Index | 2.9 |
| Members | 265 |
| Number of Women | 81 |
| Share of Women | 30.6 % |
| Inhabitants per MP | 60,353 |
| Flag |
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| Axiometry |
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Location
Harare Google Maps |
|
| Architect | |
| Year of Construction | 1895 |
| Plenary Hall Type | Horseshoe |
| Volume | 55,800 m3 |
| Form Characteristics | – /Central Symmetry, – /Ramps |
| Notes | Zimbabwe's parliament house is a former hotel for white settlers in close proximity to where British colonialists hoisted their flag upon invading the country. It was expanded many times over the course of the years to accommodate the growing needs of an enlarging parliament. Today, expenditures for its legislators amount to 17,000$ daily, leaving it highly indebted. Update The new parliament, outside the city of Harar was completed in 2022. It is a Chinese-funded attempt to develop an African design language. |
Countries overview
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Andorra
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Comoros
- Congo
- Costa Rica
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- East Timor
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Ethiopia
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Korea
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mali
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Korea
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Palestine
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Swaziland
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Togo
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Turkmenistan
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Team
The content of this website was created as part of the exhibition "Plenum - Places of Power", the Austrian contribution to the Venice Architecture Biennale 2014. This website was created as part of the installation "Plenum - Places of Power" in the Austrian Parliament.
Concept and artistic direction:
Christian Kühn and Harald Trapp
Editorial team:
Katharina Brandl, Daniela Hahn, Kathrin Schelling
Texts:
Katharina Brandl, Daniela Hahn, Christian Kühn, Andrea Lehsiak, Margarete Länger, Updates 2023 Christian Kühn, Kathrin Schelling
Research model construction:
Thomas Amann, Florian Sammer with students of the research area building theory at TU Vienna
Graphic design:
buero bauer – Gesellschaft für Orientierung und Identität
Website programming:
Eva Maria Kühn
Credits
The update and the multilingual version of the website were commissioned by the Austrian Parliament. We would like to thank them for their kind support.
We would like to thank the sponsors of the Austrian contribution to the Biennale of Architecture 2014:
Autodesk, BAI, BIG, Vasko und Partner, waagner biro, Wolf Theiss