Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain, as the city of Madrid and the Automous community of Madrid, the city Was built along the banks of the river Manzanares in the center of country. Due to its geographical and historical, together with Lisbon is the financial and political center of the Iberian Penisula.
Following the restouration of democracy in 1976 and accession to the EEC in 1986, the city of Madrid has been playing an important role in the European a major financial outbreaks in southern Europe. the gentile city of Madrid , and the current mayor is Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón.
HISTORY:
During the history of Spain many different people have lived there. the Phoenician came in 1100BC, Followed by Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Visigoths and moors, It was not until 1492, when the Catholic Monarchs got powet, that Spain became a united country, jews and moors, who had lived happily there for many years, werw driven away. Spain became very rich because it conquered many overseas countries, especially in central and South America, However, Spain fought many wars and lost much of its trasure. It was very poor in 1936 when the Civil Warwas fought, General Franco became a harsh dictator until 1975 when Juan Carlos I was brought back to Spain and made king, There is now a democratic governmet.
In prehitoric times people lived in the area which is now Madrid. the Romans lived there for several centuries. The origns of today's town really starts in the 9th century when Muhammad I had a small palace built where the Palacio Real stands today, The Moors built strong forts in Madrid in 865 and put a wall round the city. These walls stood until 1476 when they were knocked d0wn. In 1561 Felipe I moved the royal court from Toledo to Madrid. Madrid had now become the capital of a very large empire. Over the next yeas and decades the plaza Mayor was buit and many great buildings and monuments, many of which still stand.
