Madrid is the capital city of Spain, located in the centre of this southern European country. The city proper is home to more than 3 million people, but including the 40 municipalities, the metropolitan area has a total population of approximately 6.5 million, the third largest urban centre in the European Union behind London and Paris.
Madrid has a rich history with the first historical record of the city dating back to 865. Visitors to the city will enjoy many historical sites – including the Palace Real, one of the largest palaces in the world and Basílica de San Francisco El Grande, one of Madrid’s ‘favourite’ churches.
In addition to being the country’s economic hub, Madrid is known as a lively urban centre with a rich cultural scene. It is home to the world’s oldest restaurant, Casa Botín, and one of the world’s most famous bullfighting rings, La Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas.
Sources: Lonely Planet, Wikipedia.org and WorldPopulationReview.com