Spain » Madrid

Madrid is the capital and the largest city in Spain, as well as in the province and the autonomous community of the same name. It is located on the river Manzanares in the center of the country. Due to its geographical location, wealth and history, Madrid has been considered the main financial center of the Iberian Peninsula, and the political center of Spain.

As the former capital of the old Spanish Empire Madrid has been bestowed with a degree of cultural predominance. Museums such as Museo del Prado, the Museo Reina Sofia, and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza are major tourist attractions in the city. Other cultural highlights include the Royal Palace of Madrid and the nearby royal monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.

The population of the city was 3.228 million (July 2005), while the estimated urban area population is 5.078 million. 

The entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area (urban area and suburbs) is calculated to be 5.843 million. The city spans a total of 607 km² (378 square miles). Following the restoration of democracy in 1975 and the integration to the European Union, Madrid has experienced an increasing role in European finances making it one of the most important Southern European metropolises. The residents of Madrid are called Madrilnos, and the current mayor is Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon of the conservative Partido Popular.

The population of Madrid has experienced an important increase ever since the city became the national capital. This demographic boom was notorious in the 20th century due to domestic and international immigration. Yet, a growth slump hampered the city growth during the 1970s. This phenomenon, which also affected Barcelona, was caused mainly by the growth of satellite suburbs at the expense of the downtown.