Madrid is one of Spain's seventeen autonomous communities, located in the centre of the country. It contains the province of
Madrid, and also the city of Madrid, which is the capital of the community, the province, and the country.
Madrid is bordered by the autonomous communities of Castile - Leon and Castile - La Mancha with over half of its population
living in the capital, but despite the existence of this great city of 5 million people, the Community of Madrid still retains
some remarkably unspoilt and diverse habitats and landscapes.
Other historically or commercially important cities in this region include Alcalá de Henares, Coslada, Torrejon de Ardoz,
Getafe, Móstoles, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Navalcarnero and Aranjuez.
 Madrid is home to mountain peaks rising above 2,000m, Holm oak dehesas and low lying plains. To the west, and close to the
capital, the region rises steeply into the Sierra de Guadarrama of the Sistema Central, with Peñalara, the highest mountain in
Madrid, reaching 2428m whereas the rest of Madrid is relatively flat with an altitude of around 650m.
The slopes of Guadarrama are cloaked in dense forests of Scot’s pine and Pyrenean oak. The Valle de Lozoya supports a large
black (monk) vulture colony, and one of the last bastions of the Spanish Imperial Eagle in the world is found in the Park
Regional del Suroeste in dehesa hills between the Gredos and Guadarrama ranges.
Climate of Madrid
The climate of the region of Madrid is typically continental Mediterranean, and is very similar to that of Castilla-La
Mancha, but the presence of a large city, and all its heat island effects, are more pronounced here than around any other
Spanish city.
For example the city's lights can be seen on clear night as far as 200km away. Rainfall in the capital is around 436mm a
year. Winters are cool across the region (average below 8ºC), and there are frequent frosts and occasional snowfalls. Summers
are hot (above 24ºC in July and August).
Temperatures are much lower in Sierra de Guadarrama, which sees abundant rain and snow. For example, Navacerrada at 1890m
receives 1.3m a year, much of it in the form of snow.
Cuisine of Catalan
Numerous recipes and influences from all the regions of the country entered into Madrids’ kitchens. Today it is practically impossible to say which dishes are original, and which are imported so you could say that Madrid’s cuisine is more Spanish than regional.
The dishes that are called Madrileño in Spain are mainly hotpots, such as the well-known Cocido Madrileño with chickpeas. Among regional specialities are the delicious asparagus from Aranjuez and the very typical Sopa de Ajo, a soup of garlic.
There are many lamb and veal dishes, but - considering its location - Madrid is a paradise for lovers of any kind of fish. It has the second biggest fish market in the world (behind Tokyo), and in the shops and restaurants of the region you will find an ample selection and outstanding quality.
The young and aromatic wines from the region such as Vinos de Madrid are ideal for such a meal. To finish your dinner in a very typical way, try a cup of Anisado de Chinchón, anisette schnapps.
Traditional sweets are the Roscos de Santo, which are made especially for the Festival of San Isidro.
Festivals and Fiestas
La Villa, the "village", is how the inhabitants of Madrid call their city, and in many quarters there are still traditions
of a time before all those villages melted together into Spain's capital.
The celebrations of New Year are spectacular. Thousands of people flock together at Puerta del Sol. In the rhythm of the
beats of the big clock at midnight, everybody tries to eat twelve grapes. That shall bring good luck for the coming year, and
all the Spaniards who are not there, watch the event on TV. After midnight, the entire city becomes the scene of a huge party.
On 5th of January, as in many Spanish towns, the procession of the three Magi takes place.
On May 15th there is the Fiesta de San Isidro in honour of Madrid's patron, one of the most spectacular events in all the
year with numerous concerts and other kinds of public performances, and the best bullfights of the season.
During July and August the town hall organizes a series of cultural events for what they call Veranos de la Villa, "Summer
in the Village".
The festival Verbena de la Paloma, from 6th to 15th of August, shows best the popular traditions of Madrid, with regional
costumes and dances, the so-called Chotis.
During September the concert-houses and theatres have their best performances, while in November you may visit Madrid's
International Jazz-Festival. At the same time there are also the traditional Fiestas de la Almudena.
In December there is an exposition of Christmas cribs at Plaza Mayor.
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