Facts about Madrid
Madrid is the capital of Spain. It is also the largest Spanish city. The city is located on the river Manzanares in the center of Spain, between the autonomous communities of Castile and León and Castile-La Mancha. Due to its economic output, standard of living, and market size, Madrid is considered the major financial center of the Iberian Peninsula. it hosts the head offices of the vast majority of the major Spanish companies. Headquarters of three of the world's 100 largest companies (Telefónica, Repsol-YPF, Endesa) are also located in Madrid. As the capital city of Spain, seat of government, and residence of the Spanish monarch, Madrid is also the political center of Spain. The huge Royal Palace of Madrid is one of the trademarks of the city. As of december 2005, the city's population is roughly 3.2 million. As of december 2005, the estimated urban area population is 5.1 million. As of december 2005, The entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area (urban area and suburbs) is calculated to be 5.84 million. As of August 2006, the city spans a total of 607 km² (234 sq mi). It is hard to refer to Madrid before the Muslim period even though many Roman and Prehistoric remains have been found. In the year 1202 Madrid obtained its jurisdiction, but it was not until 1561 when Philip II changed the Imperial Court from Toledo to Madrid, that it became the capital of Spain and remained so forever. In 1202, the first Code of Laws was given to Madrid by which the city's municipal life was regulated. At the time it was under the command of a governor and justice was ruled by. With the arrival of the Arabs, the name changed to Mayrit, which means "mother of water," referring to its abundance. The average annual temperature is 57.2 º F (14º C), ranging from 41º F (5º C) in the colder months to 77ºF (25º C) in the hotter. Crystal Palace is located in the Retiro Park in Madrid, the Crystal Palace, also known as the Chocolate Box, was designed by Ricardo Velázquez in 1887 for use as a hothouse during an exhibition on Spain's colonies. Once the exhibition was over it became the site of the Overseas Museum. More than 250,000 hectares make the city of Madrid one of the European capitals with most green areas. 248,000 trees can be found on its streets. El Retiro Park, it covers 118 hectares. Outside the city are the internationally famous Aranjuez Royal Gardens. Chueca is probably best known for being Madrid’s gay and lesbian district. At the southern end of the avenue known as the Paseo del Arte (Art Walk) is the Reina Sofía Museum and Art Centre, whose permanent collection was opened by their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain on 10 September 1992. |
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