Note 1 - Interim Financial Statements (Detail) - Reconciliation Of Earnings/(Loss) And The Weighted Average Number Of Shares (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2010		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2010
Computation of Basic Earnings Per Share:
Income from continuing operations	$ 44,889		$ 26,407		$ 77,591		$ 79,326
Total net gain on transfer or sale of operating properties			2,385				2,377
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2,606)		(2,666)		(5,665)		(6,540)
Discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	41		93		58		108
Preferred stock dividends	(14,841)		(11,822)		(29,681)		(23,644)
Income from continuing operations available to the common shareholders	27,483		14,397		42,303		51,627
Earnings attributable to unvested restricted shares	(166)		(103)		(331)		(207)
Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders	27,317		14,294		41,972		51,420
Income from discontinued operations attributable to the Company	(3,615)		(1,608)		(4,313)		176
Net income attributable to the Company’s common shareholders	23,702		12,686		37,659		51,596
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in Shares)	406,559		405,705		406,500		405,635
Basic Earning Per Share Attributable to the Company’s Common Shareholders:
Income from continuing operations (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.07		$ 0.04		$ 0.10		$ 0.13
Loss from discontinued operations (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.01)		$ (0.01)		$ (0.01)
Net income (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.06		$ 0.03		$ 0.09		$ 0.13
Computation of Diluted Earnings Per Share:
Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders for diluted earnings per share	27,317		14,294		41,972		51,420
Income from discontinued operations attributable to the Company	(3,615)		(1,608)		(4,313)		176
Net income attributable to the Company’s common shareholders for diluted earnings per share	23,702		12,686		37,659		51,596
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic (in Shares)	406,559		405,705		406,500		405,635
Effect of dilutive securities (a): Equity awards	$ 1,003	[1]	$ 304	[1]	$ 972	[1]	$ 236	[1]
Shares for diluted earnings per common share (in Shares)	407,562		406,009		407,472		405,871
Diluted Earnings Per Share Attributable to the Company’s Common Shareholders:
Income from continuing operations (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.07		$ 0.04		$ 0.10		$ 0.13
Loss from discontinued operations (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.01)		$ (0.01)		$ (0.01)
Net income (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.06		$ 0.03		$ 0.09		$ 0.13

[1] For the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, the effect of certain convertible units would have an anti-dilutive effect upon the calculation of Income from continuing operations per share. Accordingly, the impact of such conversion has not been included in the determination of diluted earnings per share calculations.