Madrid

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

Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain, and the administrative centre of the Community of Madrid. It is a major political, economic, cultural, and transport hub in central Spain, located on the River Manzanares on the Iberian Peninsula. The city proper had a population of over 3.4 million in 2025, and the metropolitan area had about 6.8 million people.

History

Madrid became the capital of Spain in 1561, after the royal court was moved there in the 16th century. The city developed from a smaller settlement into the political centre of the Spanish state.

Geography

Madrid is located in central Spain on the River Manzanares, in the Iberian Peninsula. Its elevation of about 660 metres makes it one of Europe’s highest capital cities.

Population and urban area

Madrid is Spain’s largest city by population, with more than 3.4 million residents in the city proper as of 2025. The wider metropolitan area contains roughly 6.8 million people.

Government and economy

As the capital, Madrid is home to Spain’s central government institutions and is a major administrative centre. It is also a leading Spanish centre for finance, business, and services.

Culture

Madrid is widely recognized as a major cultural centre, with significant institutions in the arts and museums. Its national importance has made it one of Spain’s best-known cities.