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Madrid, the capital city of Spain, has a population of over 4 million people. It is situated on the River Manzanares between the regions of Castilla- Léon and Castilla-La Mancha. It became the capital city in the time of King Felipe II in the 16 th century because of its central location. At present it is the seat of King Juan Carlos I and the seat of the nation's government.
Spain has suffered with many troubles including the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39 which affected Madrid in a big way, people were fighting on the streets of the city.
The Spanish Dictator Franco made many improvements to Madrid in the 1960s, extending the city and industrialising it. Under Franco it became a major centre of employment. It is now a modern city, the biggest in Spain, and has lots to offer visitors.
Madrid has an interesting climate. It is incredibly cold in winter and scorching hot in summer, so Spring and Autumn are the best times to visit.
The outskirts of the city are not very pretty but the city centre is beautiful, a mix of architecture and eras with its medieval housing, 18 th Century Bourbon squares and modern constructions. It is a cosmopolitan, fashionable city with a buzzing streetlife. The Madrileños, the people of Madrid, spend their siesta time relaxing in Madrid's many cafés, tapas bars and restaurants or in its lush green parks.
Getting to Madrid is easy. Its international airport is situated on the outskirts of the city . The metro and shuttle bus run from the airport to the city centre. You can also take a taxi or hire a car. Getting around Madrid is simple too. The metro is efficient and cheap and is by far the quickest way to travel in the city. Other options are buses and taxis. You can even use the new high speed train, the Ave, to travel to the great city of Barcelona in about 2 ½ hours.
For accommodation, Madrid offers a host of choices in the city centre, convenient for all the attractions. There are many hotels and bed and breakfasts.
Madrid is one of the top cities for Art with its many art galleries, the most famous being the Prado. Other galleries worth a visit are the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, the Museo Lazaro Galdiano, the Museo Thyssen Bonemisza and the Real Academia. History lovers should visit the Museo Arqueologico Nacional. Other attractions are the city's lovely plazas, especially those in the Old Town area.
To experience Madrid nightlife you will want to visit the Plaza de Santa Ana whose bars and cafés are open until the early hours. Some clubs in the city are open all night and people only stop dancing to eat breakfast. Enjoy the traditional Spanish food such as the tapas dishes served with drinks.
There is also plenty of other Madrid entertainment on offer, including bull fighting and there might even be some fiesta entertainment to enjoy.
After a night out on the town you might want to relax in one of the city's many parks or you might be ready to do some shopping or do a tour of the city.
Madrid is a vibrant city with attractions to suit even the most discerning visitor. We hope that you enjoy everything it has to offer.
Mohammed 1 the Emir of Cordoba built a fort in 852. In 1083 Alfonso V1 of Castile conquered the Arab fortress. in 1558 Madrid gained importance when the royal residence was relocated from Toldeo to Madrid. Parliament was established in 1561.
Madrid sits on a flat plateau in the centre of the Iberian peninsula. The old city centre is "el Madrid de los Austrias" named after the Babsburgs.
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