SCHEDULE III REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION (Rollforward) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2010
Carrying cost:
Balance at beginning of period	$ 20,393,411us-gaap_RealEstateGrossAtCarryingValue	$ 18,763,903us-gaap_RealEstateGrossAtCarryingValue		$ 17,029,404us-gaap_RealEstateGrossAtCarryingValue
Additions during period:
Acquisitions	1,769,790us-gaap_RealEstateOtherAcquisitions	1,623,648us-gaap_RealEstateOtherAcquisitions	1,889,592us-gaap_RealEstateOtherAcquisitions
Capital expenditures	189,711us-gaap_RealEstateImprovements	183,929us-gaap_RealEstateImprovements	184,675us-gaap_RealEstateImprovements
Dispositions:
Sales and/or transfers to assets held for sale	(293,842)	(155,184)	(349,456)
Foreign currency translation	(87,776)	(22,885)	9,688
Balance at end of period	21,971,294us-gaap_RealEstateGrossAtCarryingValue	20,393,411us-gaap_RealEstateGrossAtCarryingValue	18,763,903us-gaap_RealEstateGrossAtCarryingValue	17,029,404us-gaap_RealEstateGrossAtCarryingValue
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance at beginning of period	2,881,950	2,289,783		1,729,976
Additions during period:
Depreciation expense	725,485	674,141	620,076
Dispositions:
Sales and/or transfers to assets held for sale	(107,663)	(78,061)	(61,583)
Foreign currency translation	(6,081)	(3,913)	1,314
Balance at end of period	$ 3,493,691	$ 2,881,950	$ 2,289,783	$ 1,729,976

Amount of accumulated depreciation pertaining to real estate investments for entities with a substantial portion of business acquiring and holding investment real estate.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 970

-SubTopic 360

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-28.FN4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6590653&loc=d3e638233-123024

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 205

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-04.(c) Schedule III)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27047687&loc=d3e5864-122674

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 28

-Article 12

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph c

-Subparagraph Schedule III

-Article 5

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Amount of decrease to accumulated depreciation for real estate investments sold for entities with a substantial portion of business acquiring and holding investment real estate.

+ References

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- Definition

Amount, before accumulated depreciation, of real estate investments for entities with a substantial portion of business acquiring and holding investment real estate.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 205

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-04.(c) Schedule III)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27047687&loc=d3e5864-122674

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 28

-Article 12

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph c

-Subparagraph Schedule III

-Article 5

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 970

-SubTopic 360

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-28.4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6590653&loc=d3e638233-123024

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Amount of increase in real estate investments related to improvements for entities with a substantial portion of business acquiring and holding investment real estate.

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Amount of increase in real estate investments from acquisitions other than through foreclosure for entities with a substantial portion of business acquiring and holding investment real estate.

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Amount of depreciation expense of real estate investments for entities with a substantial portion of business acquiring and holding investment real estate.

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Increase or decrease in accumulated depreciation for real estate investments during the period attributed to foreign currency translation and other amounts attributable to purchase accounting.

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Increase or decrease in real estate investments during the period due to foreign currency translation.

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The amount represents the sales and or transfers to assets held for sale.

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