Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain, as well as the capital of the autonomous community
of the same name (Comunidad
de Madrid). The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million with a metro area
population of almost 6.5 million. Madrid is best known for its great cultural
and artistic heritage, a good example of which is the El Prado museum. Madrid
also boasts some of the liveliest nightlife in the world.
Climate
The climate of Madrid is continental; mainly dry and quite extreme at
times. Madrid sees perpetual sunshine and a characteristically hot and dry
summer, and a fairly cold winter with frequent frosts during the night and the
occasional snowfall. Spring and autumn are mild with the most rainfall
concentrated in these seasons. Spring and autumn are definitely the best times
to visit, especially the months of April, May, June, September and October.
There is very little rainfall during summer and also less rainfall during
winter. During winter snow occurs sporadically; however, snowfall usually lasts
only for a few days, but there is abundant snowfall in the adjacent mountain
ranges nearby.
Culture
The culture of Madrid was dominated by its Royal history, centre of the
Spanish Empire. The Royal Palace, big places and buildings used by the Spanish
Monarchy, enormous cathedrals and churches are plentiful in Madrid, as well as
medieval architecture, although nowadays Madrid is just as much a cosmopolitan
city as Berlin or London, full of new
architecture, lifestyle and culture.
As Spanish Capital, Madrid has meant the different
"establishment" for most Spaniards. During the 2nd Republic
(1931-1936) was a bustling city of new ideas. Being capital of the Franquist
dictatorship (1939-1975) made the city still seemed to represent a conservative
part of Spain to many Spaniards. However, the city is also the epicentre of the
famous Movida, Spain's 80s movement that bred personalities such as the
director Pedro Almodóvar. The heritage of this era is indeed still visible in
the city centre, where a party can be found at all times and one of the most
liberal and colourful environments of Spain can be seen. The city is also known
for its great gay tolerance.
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