Madrid

The capital of Spain, located in the heart of the peninsula and 646 meters above sea level, has a population of over three million citisens. A cosmopolitan city, a business center, headquarters for the Government, Spanish Parliament, Public Administration and the home of the Spanish Royal Family. Madrid also plays a major role in the banking and industrial sectors. Most of its industry is located in the south of the city, where important textile, food and metal working factories are. Madrid is characterized by vital cultural activity and a very lively nightlife.

madridwater Madrid can trace its origins to the times of Arab Emir Mohamed I (852-886), who ordered the construction of a fortress. 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 wall was built for the protection of the new 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.
At the 19th century the commercial street known as the Gran Vía was built at the start of the century. In the 1950's the north-south boulevard called Paseo de la Castellana was extended. Modern buildings were erected, housing the major financial institutions. Remainings of the distant past are strcutures of the 17th and 18th centuries, such as the Plaza Mayor (Main Square), the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) and others. Good examples for the Baroque and neoclassical architecture.