Madrid city, capital and largest city of Spain
Madrid is the capital of Spain and sits at the geographic center of the Iberian Peninsula on a high plateau above 600 meters (about 2,000 feet). The city spreads from its historic core with narrow streets around Plaza Mayor to wide boulevards and modern districts radiating in all directions.
The settlement grew from the 9th century under Moorish rule and was declared capital of the realm by Philip II in 1561. That decision transformed a small town on the Manzanares River into the political and administrative center that evolved over the following centuries.
Residents organize their lives around late meal times and the daily siesta, with street life intensifying after sunset. Neighbors meet regularly in the same bars for tapas in each district, giving every corner its own social rhythm.
Most museums and public buildings close in late afternoon and reopen after a midday break, so plan visits for late morning or evening. Many streets in the old center are closed to cars, so walking is often faster than driving through the narrow districts.
The city sits farther from the sea than any other European capital and its continental climate brings hot summers and cold winters. The bear and strawberry tree in the coat of arms appears on manhole covers and street signs throughout all districts, though nobody knows exactly why this symbol was originally chosen.
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