Madrid is the capital of Spain, and is located in the heart of the peninsula and right in the center of the Castillian plain 646 meters above sea level, has a population of over three million. A cosmopolitan city, a business center, headquarters for the Public Administration, Government, Spanish Parliament and the home of the Spanish Royal Family, Madrid also plays a major role in both the banking and industrial sectors. Most of its industry is located in the Southern fringe of the city, where important textile, food and metal working factories are clustered.
Madrid is characterized by intense cultural and artistic activity and a very lively nightlife Madrid's elevation and exposed setting make it liable to sudden variations of temperature. Because of these same circumstances, however,
the city has a healthful climate and pleasant weather, except in winter, when sharp winds blow, and in July and August, when the heat can be oppressive.
Modern Madrid long made its living primarily from government, banking, insurance, and tourism and derived income as the transportation hub of the nation. After World War II, however, it became an important manufacturing city, producing automobile and truck engines, electric and electronic equipment, plastics, rubber, aircraft, and optical goods. It is also a major publishing centre.
The grand metropolis of Madrid can trace its origins to the times of Arab Emir Mohamed I (852-886), who ordered the construction of a fortress on the left bank of the Manzanares river. Later it became the subject of a dispute between the Christians and Arabs until it was conquered by Alonso VI in the 11th century. At the end of the 17th century, a defensive wall was built for the protection of the new outlying areas, tracing the roads of Segovia, Toledo and Valencia. During the 18th century, under the reign of Carlos III, were designed the great arteries of the city, such as the Paseo del Prado and Paseo las Acacias.
The Prado, one of the world's major picture galleries, is devoted to works primarily from the 15th to the early 19th century; the works of Francisco de Goya and Diego Velázquez are featured. Of the city's many libraries, two are noted for their manuscripts and rare books: the National Library and the library of the Royal Palace. The main education centre is at University City; it includes the Open University (Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia; 1972) and the Complutensian University of Madrid (1508). The city also has academies of fine arts, history, and Spanish culture.
At the beginning of the 19th century, Joseph Bonaparte undertook the reform of the Puerta del Sol and vicinity. The commercial street known as the Gran Vía was built as an east-west avenue at the start of the century. In the 1950's the north-south boulevard called Paseo de la Castellana was extended and modern buildings were erected, housing the major financial institutions. Remainings of the distant past are mainly the Baroque and neoclassical strcutures of the 17th and 18th centuries, such as the Plaza Mayor (Main Square), the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) and others which will be described later during our guide of the city.
Madrid's prosperity has resulted in an ever-increasing number of automobiles, but subway and bus systems also provide local transportation. Railways radiate in all directions, connecting Madrid to other Spanish cities and to both coasts. The Barajas (international) Airport is located 8 miles (13 km) from the city. Area city,
234 square miles (607 square km); metropolitan area, 394 square miles (1,020 square km). Madrid Imag : usm.edu
Madrid is the capital of Spain, and is located in the heart of the peninsula and right in the center of the Castillian plain 646 meters above sea level, has a population of over three million. A cosmopolitan city, a business center, headquarters for the Public Administration, Government, Spanish Parliament and the home of the Spanish Royal Family, Madrid also plays a major role in both the banking and industrial sectors. Most of its industry is located in the Southern fringe of the city, where important textile, food and metal working factories are clustered.