Madrid
Sign in to saveMadrid is the capital and most populous city of Spain. It had a population of over 3.4 million in the city proper in 2025, and a metropolitan area population of approximately 6.8 million. Madrid is the second-largest city in the European Union (EU), after Berlin, and its metropolitan area is the second-largest in the EU, after Paris. The municipality covers an area of . Madrid lies on the River Manzanares in the central part of the Iberian Peninsula at about above mean sea level. The capital city of both Spain and the surrounding autonomous community of Madrid, it is the political, economic an
AI overview
Madrid is Spain's capital and largest city, with over 3.4 million residents in the city proper and about 6.8 million in its metropolitan area, making it the second-largest city in the European Union after Berlin. As the center of Spain's political and economic power, Madrid plays a crucial role in the country's governance and serves as a major hub for the nation's economy.
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Key facts
- Settlement.utc_offset
- +1
- Settlement.timezone_DST
- CEST
- Settlement.name
- Madrid
- Settlement.settlement_type
- Capital city and municipality
- Settlement.image_flag
- Bandera de la ciudad de Madrid.svg
- Settlement.flag_size
- 110px
- Settlement.flag_link
- Flag of the City of Madrid
- Settlement.image_shield
- Escudo de Madrid.svg
- Settlement.shield_size
- 70px
- Settlement.shield_link
- Coat of arms of Madrid
- Settlement.mapframe
- yes
- Settlement.mapframe zoom
- 9
Article
73 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- History
- Middle Ages
- Early Modern Era
- Capital of the Liberal State
- Second Republic and Civil War
- Francoist dictatorship
- Recent history
- Geography
- Parks and forests
- Environment
- Climate
- Water supply
- Demographics
- Government
- Local government and administration
- Capital of Spain
- Regional capital
- Law enforcement
- Administrative subdivisions
- Economy
- Economic history
- Present-day economy
- Standard of living
- Employment
- Services
- Industry
- Construction
- Tourism
- International rankings
- Media and entertainment
- Culture
- Architecture
- Museums and cultural centres
- Language
- Literature
- Cuisine
- Nightlife
- Bohemian culture
- Classical music and opera
- Feasts and festivals
- San Isidro
- LGBT pride
- Other
- Bullfighting
- Sport
- Football
- Basketball
- Events
- Formula 1
- Education
- Universities
- Business schools
- Transport
- Road transport
- Public transport
- Long-distance transport
- Airport
- International relations
- Diplomacy
- International organisations
- Twin towns and sister cities
- Union of Ibero-American Capital Cities
- Other city partnerships
- Partnerships with international organisations
- Notable people
- Honours
- See also
- References
- Notes
- Citations
- Bibliography
- External links
Madrid is the capital and most populous city of Spain. It had a population of over 3.4 million in the city proper in 2025, and a metropolitan area population of approximately 6.8 million. Madrid is the second-largest city in the European Union (EU), after Berlin, and its metropolitan area is the second-largest in the EU, after Paris. The municipality covers an area of . Madrid lies on the River Manzanares in the central part of the Iberian Peninsula at about above mean sea level. The capital city of both Spain and the surrounding autonomous community of Madrid, it is the political, economic and cultural centre of the country.
The primitive core of Madrid, a walled military outpost, dates back to the late 9th century, under the Emirate of Córdoba. Conquered by Christians in 1083 or 1085, it consolidated in the Late Middle Ages as a sizeable town of the Crown of Castile. The development of Madrid as an administrative centre was fostered after 1561, as it became the permanent seat of the court of the Hispanic Monarchy. The following centuries were characterised by the reinforcement of Madrid's status within the framework of a centralised form of state-building.