Madrid, Spain By: Judah Boseman

History  It is commonly believed that the original settlement was Matrice, a pre Muslim world.  Madrid was little more than a village that passed from empire to empire, and rulers of the day had little interest in making anything out of it.  After the dust from the Civil War settled, the dictator Francisco Franco concentrated all Spanish national institutions in Madrid. The city truly prospered in the 1960s and early 1970s

Culture  Madrid is a captivating tourist destination in Spain that features enriching history, art and culture.  Madrid Culture is very much influenced by its history and also religious history.  Madrid is also a fashion capital of the country.  With opera, theatre, concerts, shows, music & dance festival and outstanding array of food and beverage outlets, Madrid is surely a place that worth a visit

Location Madrid is the capital & largest city in Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million The city is located on the Manzanares river. Madrid is located in the heart of Spain.

Economics  During the end of the Middle Ages, Madrid experienced astronomic growth as a consequence of its establishment as the new capital of the Spanish Empire.  It manufactures aircraft, electrical equipment, agricultural machinery, and leather goods.  Madrid is Spain's second largest industrial center after Barcelona.  Wheat, vines, and olives are some of the agricultural products grown in the province of Madrid.

Education Spain's state-funded school system is supported by a comprehensive network of private schools including many foreign and international schools. Basic general education, begins at six years of age in a primary school and lasts for eight years. At the age of 14 pupils receive a school-leaving certificate, which determines the course of their future education.

Government  The city is the center of national government, finance, and insurance, and the nation's transportation hub.  The government is made up of a mayor and 52-member city council  City Hall is located in the Plaza de la Villa in the colonial section of Madrid  The conservative Popular Party won a majority for the 1999–2003 term and controls the Governing Committee.

Tourism  From the remains of the old Arab wall, to small Gothic churches and early Renaissance works, Madrid boasts a multitude of rich and varied works of art.  The 18th century left a Neoclassical imprint, with the Royal Palace, Sabatini Gardens, and Campo del Moro gardens, which are in the city centre.  Madrid comes from the Arabic word Magerit ("mother of waters"), which was the name that was given to the fortress built on the banks of the Manzanares River by the Umayyad of Cordoba, Muhammed ( )