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Table of Contents
Madrid is the capital city of Spain, situated along the River Manzanares. It is also the most populous city and serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of the country. Madrid is known for its combination of modern architecture with the traditional designs of its historic neighborhoods.
See the fact file below for more information on the Madrid or alternatively, you can download our 21-page Madrid worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
ETYMOLOGY
- The word Madrid came from three possible sources. The first may be from the Celtic term Magetoritum with the root word “ritu” which means a shallow place which can be crossed.
- The second may be from the Arabic term maǧrà which means “water stream”. And the third may be from the Mozarabic variant of the Latin term matrix which also means water stream.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
- Despite being now a predominantly Catholic country, the first historically recorded settlement in the territory known as Madrid dates back from the Muslim age of Muhammad I of Córdoba.
- The city of Madrid was eventually conquered by Christians in 1085 and became part of the Kingdom of Castille.
- When the Spanish king Charles II died in 1700, a war ensued over who would ascend to the Spanish throne.
- Madrid supported the ascension of Philip of Anjou, grandson of France’s King Louis XIV.
- Philip of Anjou ruled as Philip V until his death in 1746. After several successions, Charles III came to occupy the throne. He was considered as “the best Mayor of Madrid” because of his dedication in making the city worthy of being a capital.
- The Peninsular War ensued between Spain and France from 1807 to 1814. There was rampant repression in Madrid during this period.
- At the end of the war, Ferdinand VII came to occupy the Spanish throne, opening Madrid to the liberal influences of the rest of Europe.
- Madrid however saw another series of wars, one of the most severe being the Civil War of 1936-1939.
- After the war, the city eventually fell to the dictatorship of Francisco Franco.
- The death of Franco in 1975 signaled the beginning of the democratic regime. Spain’s 1978 Constitution officially confirmed Madrid as the country’s capital. Its first democratic mayor was elected in 1979.
- Madrid experienced steady prosperity in the 1980s and 1990s, securing its position as a key economic, technological, and industrial center in Europe.
- Recent challenges facing Madrid in the 21st century include the increasing rental prices and the spread of betting shops for races among the city’s poorer neighborhoods.
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
- Madrid is located almost at the center of the Iberian Peninsula. It lies on the Meseta, a plateau of sand and clay rising 646 meters above sea level, making the city one of the highest capitals on the European continent.
- The city experiences cold winters with sharp winds due to its proximity to the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range. The summers are dry and hot with temperatures rising up to 38 degrees Celsius.
- The city’s average temperature ranges from 5 to 24 degrees Celsius. October is usually the rainiest month and temperate seasons occur during the spring and autumn.
ECONOMY
- As the capital of Spain, Madrid is a center of economic activity. Finance and insurance, as well as tourism and transportation, contribute significantly to the city’s prosperity.
- Madrid also developed into a manufacturing hub following the Civil War. Electronic equipment, automotive and aircraft equipment, plastic and rubber products constitute only some of the services offered in the city’s production industries.
HIGHLIGHTS AND ATTRACTIONS
- Madrid’s Museo del Prado houses a collection of over 5,000 paintings dating back to the 12th century. It contains works by renowned artists such as Francisco Goya, Diego Velazquez, and El Greco.
- The Palacio Real de Madrid or Royal Palace was commissioned by Philip V during his reign in the 18th century. The lavish structure is built entirely of granite and white Colmenar stone.
- The 17th century Plaza Mayor was built during the reign of Philip III. During its time, it was the center of municipal life where special ceremonies were held.
- Soccer fans are also drawn to the Real Madrid Stadium, home to the city’s team Real Madrid. The stadium features the team’s trophies, artefacts, and interactive screens.
- The Centro de Arte de Reina Sofia is a contemporary art museum opened by Queen Sofia in 1986. It serves as Madrid’s center for avant-garde and contemporary art.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
- Madrid’s Coat of Arms features a bear and a tree. The bear represented the council of Madrid as early as 1212. The tree was later added to symbolize a treaty over the use of the city’s local forests.
- The city’s metro system is one of the largest in all of Europe. The underground metro covers a vast area, adding to the efficiency of Madrid’s transportation networks.
- The oldest restaurant in the world can be found in Madrid. The Sobrino de Botín was founded in 1725. The fire in the restaurant’s oven hasn’t been extinguished since the first day they opened.
Madrid Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Madrid across 21 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Madrid worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Madrid which is the capital city of Spain, situated along the River Manzanares. It is also the most populous city and serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of the country. Madrid is known for its combination of modern architecture with the traditional designs of its historic neighborhoods.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Madrid Facts
- Back to the Past
- Distritos de Madrid
- Facts Only
- Madrid Culture
- Must Learn Recipe
- Celebrity Sightings
- Arriba! Arriba!
- Madrid Bucket List
- Visit Madrid
- The Bear and the Tree
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Link will appear as Madrid Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, October 4, 2020
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.