Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Civic Brief • Cities

Madrid

Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain, and the administrative center of the Community of Madrid.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain, located in central Iberia. It became the official capital in 1561 and is a major political, economic, and cultural hub.

What it is

Madrid is the capital of Spain and the administrative centre of the Community of Madrid. It lies on the River Manzanares at about 660 metres elevation, making it one of Europe's highest capital cities. The city proper covers 605.77 km².

Why it matters

As Spain's political centre, Madrid hosts the national government and is a leading centre for finance, arts, and culture. Its metropolitan area has about 6.8 million people, making it one of the largest urban areas in the European Union. It is also a major destination for Canadian travellers.

Key details

The city proper population exceeds 3.4 million (2025 estimate). Madrid became the official capital in 1561. It is a major transport hub and home to significant cultural institutions, including world-class museums and galleries.

In short

  • Madrid is Spain's capital and largest city.
  • City proper population: over 3.4 million; metro: ~6.8 million.
  • Became capital in 1561.
  • Major political, financial, and cultural hub.
Canadian angle

Madrid is a major international destination for Canadian travellers, students, business visitors, and diplomatic ties with Spain.

Quick questions

What is Madrid?
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain, and the administrative centre of the Community of Madrid.
Where is Madrid located?
Madrid is in central Spain on the River Manzanares, on the Iberian Peninsula.
When did Madrid become Spain’s capital?
Madrid became the official capital of Spain in 1561.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madrid
    Supports: Location, capital status, population, area, elevation, and metropolitan population
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Madrid
    Supports: Capital status, historical capital date, and city description
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Madrid
    Supports: General historical and civic context
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Madrid
    Supports: Madrid as Spain’s capital and arts/financial centre
  5. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Madrid
    Supports: Capital since 1561 after the royal court moved there
  6. Britannica Kids — https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Madrid/345956
    Supports: Major centre of arts, education, business, and industry; population and elevation