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About Madrid:
Madrid is the capital city of Spain and the largest in the nation. It is the major commercial and cultural center of the country as well. Indeed, Madrid is the third largest city in municipality in the European Union, following London and Berlin.
Madrid has a Mediterranean climate with one exception. The city does tend to have cooler winters than typically are found in the Mediterranean zone. Indeed, Madrid does experience some irregular snow during the winter months.
Madrid is a city rich in history. Research and evidence suggests that the area has been occupied since pre-historic times. With that noted, it was Mohammad I who initially established a presence that grew into the present day city that is Madrid. Mohammad I built a small palace in the area around which grew the initial city that would grow and develop further over time. This occurred in the middle of the ninth century.
With a few hundred years, Madrid became a major city associated with Christianity, specifically a stronghold of the Catholic Church. (Indeed, the King of Spain to this very day is referred to as “His Catholic Majesty.) As a consequence, the city is home to a number of beautiful churches and cathedrals.
Throughout the past 100 years, Madrid and Spain have seen a good deal of upheaval in regard to its governing structures. For centuries, Spain was a monarchy. Indeed, under such leaders as King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in the 16th century, Spain was one of the most powerful countries in the world. World exploration was a prime endeavor of Spain during this time period. Spain garnered what would become significant colonial strongholds around the globe.
The Spanish Civil War in the 1930s resulted in what would amount to a temporary end of the Spanish monarchy. Although Madrid remained the capital of the country, it was not until the 1970s that the monarchy in the country returned, in a constitutional form with the royal family again taking up residence in Madrid.
Madrid is the economic center of Spain today as well. Madrid actually has been an international finance and economic center since the Middle Ages. Madrid is now one of the largest financial centers in Europe. In terms of gross national product, Madrid is the third richest city in Europe and the 23rd in the entire world.
The population of Madrid has been rather stable since the 1970s. The city has a population of about 3.2 million people at the present time; in the 1970s the population logged in at about 3.1 million residents. Madrid has a rather large immigrant population with a good percentage coming from Central and South America – including from former Spanish colonies.
With that noted, the population of what might best be called “Greater Madrid” or the “Community of Madrid” has grown significantly. The population of Madrid and the surrounding region is approximately 6.2 million residents. This is almost twice the population that existed in the “Greater Madrid” region in the 1970s. The “Community of Madrid” (including Madrid and the surrounding area) is the fastest growing region in the country today. A great part of that growth is the result of foreign immigrants settling in the area.
Madrid is a major cultural center – not only in Spain but throughout Europe and the rest of the world. Madrid boosts one of Europe's most extensive set of art museums. The district is known in the city as Golden Triangle of Art.
Beyond tremendous art museums that attract people from across Europe (and the world) Madrid also is home to a thriving and vibrant theater community. Additionally, symphonic and operatic performances are also popular in Madrid in this day and age as well.
Madrid is home to some of the most lively nightlife options anywhere in Europe. The nightclub scene features dancing and partying all night long. In addition, the city has marvelous restaurants and bistros of all types.
Madrid is home to Las Ventas, a large bullfighting coliseum. The bullfighting season in Madrid runs from March to October each year. Madrid is consisted by most to be the bullfighting capital of the world.
Institutions of higher education have long flourished in Madrid. The city has some of the oldest universities in the world. People from across Europe enroll in one or another of the highly regarded universities and colleges in the city each and every year.
Madrid has a modern international airport. Train service into and out of the city is substantial. The city's Metro subway system is considered one of the largest and best developed in the world. The Metro system serves Madrid proper and the surrounding area.
The City of Madrid is governed by a council with 57 members, including the Mayor. This form of government has been in place since about the time of the restoration of the monarchy in the 1970s.
Finally, the city offers a variety of different residential options. There are magnificent estates – many originally built many years ago – throughout the city. At the other end of the spectrum, there are affordable flats – many new properties being developed at different locations throughout the city at this point in time.
Madrid Hotels: (Page 1 of 3)
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