Schedule III: Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation (Rollforward) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Carrying cost:
Balance at beginning of period	$ 24,973,983	$ 24,712,478	$ 23,859,816
Additions during period:
Acquisitions	1,941,016	318,895	702,501
Capital expenditures	563,706	446,490	453,829
Deductions during period:
Foreign currency translation	107,508	105,192	93,490
Other	(460,490)	(398,688)	(397,158)
Balance at end of period	27,125,723	24,973,983	24,712,478
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance at beginning of period	5,492,310	4,802,917	4,208,010
Additions during period:
Depreciation expense	828,954	791,882	760,314
Dispositions:
Sales and/or transfers to assets held for sale	(136,093)	(84,819)	(176,918)
Foreign currency translation	12,755	(17,670)	11,511
Balance at end of period	$ 6,197,926	$ 5,492,310	$ 4,802,917