1. I.E.S PARQUE ALUCHE 2nd Comenius Meeting (Madrid 4th – 8th March 2013) Introducing Spain, Madrid and Parque Aluche School.

2. I.E.S PARQUE ALUCHE Spain Spanish culture is widely known for Flamenco music and dance, bullfights, fantastic beaches and lots of sunshine. But what is Spain known for? It has much more to offer than that. It is - and has been for thousands of years, one of the cultural centers of Europe. Spain is among those countries that have a long history of invasions and invaders. This, summed up with its geographic location, have together resulted in the formation of a very unique, yet rich and diverse culture. The country has the second highest UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world (a total of 44), with 39 being only cultural sites.

3. I.E.S PARQUE ALUCHE Some facts Population: 47,042,984. Population: 47,042,984. Total area: 504,782 sq km. Total area: 504,782 sq km. Administrative division: 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities. Administrative division: 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities. Climate: Mild, with clear, hot summers in the interior and more moderate and cloudy weather along the coast. The winters are cold in the interior and partly cloudy and cool along the coast. Climate: Mild, with clear, hot summers in the interior and more moderate and cloudy weather along the coast. The winters are cold in the interior and partly cloudy and cool along the coast. Languages: Castilian Spanish (official) 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, and Basque 2%. Languages: Castilian Spanish (official) 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, and Basque 2%. Religion: Roman Catholic 70%, other faith 2.7%. Religion: Roman Catholic 70%, other faith 2.7%. Government type: Parliamentary Monarchy. Government type: Parliamentary Monarchy. Major cities – population: MADRID (capital) 5,762 million; Barcelona 5,029 million; Valencia 812,000. Major cities – population: MADRID (capital) 5,762 million; Barcelona 5,029 million; Valencia 812,000.

4. I.E.S PARQUE ALUCHE Madrid Madrid, the capital of Spain, is also known for being the country's largest city as well as a center of arts and industry. Located at the geographical center of the Iberian Peninsula, the inhabitants of Madrid enjoy a vibrant street life, keeping late hours strolling the streets and passing time in the many outdoor cafés. Madrid is very much a modern city, with many museums, parks and public gardens. The people of Madrid express their love for their city with the local proverb, "From Madrid to heaven."

5. I.E.S PARQUE ALUCHE Top 10 Madrid sights: Royal Palace. Madrid's most beautiful building, the largest royal palace in Western Europe. Puerta del Sol. Madrid's most central and best known square. Plaza Mayor. Marvellous enclosed square, perfect to sit outside and watch people. Templo de Debod. An authentic Egyptian temple in the middle of Madrid! Madrid Cathedral. Madrid's largest and most important church. Plaza de la Villa. Incredibly historic square, home to important historic buildings. Puerta de Alcalá. A Madrid icon, this old city gate even has a song dedicated to it! Gran Vía. Madrid's most famous and most central street, also called the Spanish Broadway. It’s close to the main shopping area. Plaza de Cibeles. Central square where Real Madrid celebrates championship wins and home to the Bank of Spain. Plaza de Oriente. Beautiful square located in front of the Royal Palace.

6. I.E.S PARQUE ALUCHE Debod Temple Puerta del Sol (“Sun Square”)

7. I.E.S PARQUE ALUCHE Gran Vía Alcalá Gate

8. I.E.S PARQUE ALUCHE Plaza Mayor (Main Square) Royal Palace

9. I.E.S PARQUE ALUCHE Things to do in Madrid: Watch flamenco. Madrid is a stage for some of the best flamenco dancers in the world. Watch Real Madrid play. The Santiago Bernabeu Stadium plays host to one of the best football teams in the world. Take an open-topped bus tour. See the most important sights and monuments in under 2 hours, enabling you to choose which to visit later. Try some tapas and Spanish traditional cuisine. Take a ride on Madrid's cable car. The Teleférico gives visitors wonderful panoramic views of many of the capital's best sights & attractions. Walk in the Park. Enjoy the wide open spaces, rose-garden, boating lake, and the wonderful street theatre at the Retiro Park. Go to the Rastro. Madrid's weekly flea market allows you to buy almost anything under the sun! Try chocolate con churros. After all the activity above, you'll need to restore your energy with some chocolate with churros (typical fried pastry).

10. I.E.S PARQUE ALUCHE

11. Madrid museums: Madrid museums: The Prado. One of Europe's premier art museums, a must when visiting Madrid. The Reina Sofia. Picasso's 'Woman in Blue' and Guernica paintings are just 2 of the highlights. The Thyssen Some say this is the world's best private art collection. CaixaForum. A new addition to Madrid's cultural offering. The buliding includes an amazing vertical garden. Railway Museum. housed in the old Delicias station to the southeast of the city centre. Museo Sorolla. The studio-mansion of the Impressionist painter. Archaeological Museum. Fully renovated, it offers a journey through history and the different peoples and cultures in Spain. National Museum of National Science: With over 6 million specimens in its collections! Naval Museum. One of the most important in the world. Wax Museum, a journey through history with waxwork figures.

12. I.E.S PARQUE ALUCHE Boys on the beach, by Sorolla Guernica, by Picasso Diplodocus, at the Science Museum

13. I.E.S PARQUE ALUCHE Our neighbourhood: Aluche With 75.871 inhabitants, Aluche is the most densely populated neighbourhood in Madrid. It is situated south- west of the city, near the Casa de Campo (one of the biggest green areas in Madrid). With 75.871 inhabitants, Aluche is the most densely populated neighbourhood in Madrid. It is situated south- west of the city, near the Casa de Campo (one of the biggest green areas in Madrid). Aluche has excellent communication with the city centre, which can be easily reached by underground, suburban train or bus (the jouney time is about 20 minutes). Aluche has excellent communication with the city centre, which can be easily reached by underground, suburban train or bus (the jouney time is about 20 minutes). It is a lively neighbourhood full of shops, residential areas, parks, schools and leisure facilities. It is a lively neighbourhood full of shops, residential areas, parks, schools and leisure facilities. Aluche is a multicultural district, with people coming from various regions of Spain and different countries of the world, especially from South America and Eastern Europe. Aluche is an excellent example of a neighbourhood where different ethnic groups, cultures and religions coexist peacefully. Aluche is a multicultural district, with people coming from various regions of Spain and different countries of the world, especially from South America and Eastern Europe. Aluche is an excellent example of a neighbourhood where different ethnic groups, cultures and religions coexist peacefully.

14. I.E.S PARQUE ALUCHE Parque Aluche Secondary School Our school was founded in 1965 and nowadays 882 students attend morning and evening classes here. Our school Parque Aluche is a Secondary school which also offers 6th form and Vocational Training studies. The following specialities of vocational studies are offered in our school: Bodywork, Electrotechnical motor Vehicle Systems, Bussiness Administration, Electricity, Auto Mechanics and Initial Program of Professional Qualification. Apart from the Comenius, our school is immerse in other European Mobility Programmes, such as Erasmus and Leonardo. Several students with disabilities also come to our school. Parque Aluche provides them with special teachers and facilities to improve their integration in the school life. The school reflects the enriching coexistence of cultures of the neighbourhood where it is located.

15. I.E.S PARQUE ALUCHE PARQUE ALUCHE SECONDARY SCHOOL PARQUE ALUCHE SECONDARY SCHOOL

16. I.E.S PARQUE ALUCHE We wish you all a very enjoyable stay in Madrid!