Schedule III: Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation (Rollforward) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Carrying cost:
Balance at beginning of period	$ 27,133,514	$ 24,973,983	$ 24,712,478
Additions during period:
Acquisitions	249,290	1,941,018	318,895
Capital expenditures	485,479	575,624	446,490
Deductions during period:
Foreign currency translation	80,302	107,508	(105,192)
Other	(1,098,143)	(464,619)	(398,688)
Balance at end of period	26,850,442	27,133,514	24,973,983
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance at beginning of period	6,200,230	5,492,310	4,802,917
Additions during period:
Depreciation expense	809,067	811,936	791,882
Dispositions:
Sales and/or transfers to assets held for sale	(82,559)	(116,771)	(84,819)
Foreign currency translation	40,675	12,755	(17,670)
Balance at end of period	$ 6,967,413	$ 6,200,230	$ 5,492,310