About Madrid, Spain
Madrid, Spain is a very old city that has been occupied since prehistoric times. Originally called Matrice, the occupying Moors called the city's Manzanares River, al-magrit or "source of water." The city where the river was located ultimately came to be known as Madrid.
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Origins
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The Moors occupied Madrid until being driven out by Alphonso VI in the mid-1080s, according to GoMadrid.
Early Significance
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Madrid remained a relatively small town until Phillip II set up his royal court in the city around 1561. After gold was discovered in the Americas by Spanish conquistadors, the wealthy of the city grew tremedously, according to Spanish Town Guides, leading to the creation of such modern landmarks as the Prado and the Royal Palace.
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20th Century
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The early twentieth century was marked by serious economic and political troubles culminating in the Spanish Civil War. Following the war, dictator Francisco Franco helped to heighten the importance of Madrid by having all national institutions located there.
Geography
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Madrid is a relatively flat city, located near the Sistema Central mountain range, in the central part of Spain. Temperatures range from about 24 degrees C in the summer and about 8 degree C in the winter, according to IberianNature.
Sports
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Soccer and basketball can be seen at the large Santiago Bernbeu stadium and Palacio Alegre stadium, respectively. The uniquely Spanish sport of bullfighting can be seen at La Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas.
Cultural Attractions and Shopping
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Madrid is filled with diverse attractions. For instance, the Prado is a well-known museum, housing the most extensive collection of Spanish art in the world, including masterpieces by Velasquez, Goya and El Greco, according to Frommers. There are also various shopping choices in Madrid including the high-end ABC Serrano mall and the extensive Plenilunio mall.
Considerations When Visiting
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Spain is a constitutional monarchy, which is on the euro and has many of the amenities of a modern, Western city. Often, the cost of visiting, including getting a flight and a hotel, is less than in other cities such as London or Paris.
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