Madrid, capital of Spain, is a cosmopolitan city. Its position as a centre for economics, finance, administration and services combines the most modern infrastructure with an important cultural and artistic heritage, the legacy of centuries of fascinating history.

Madrid is strategically located at the geographical centre of the Iberian peninsular, 646 metres above sea level. Its old town is exemplary among major European cities, and blends harmoniously with the most modern and convenient of urban infrastructure.

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The Madrid area has been settled since the Lower Paleolithic age, but it was not until 1561 that King Philip II made it the capital of his mighty empire. The historic old town, also known as "Madrid de las Austrias" (referring to the Hapsburg empire) is a living example of the city's 16th and 17th century heyday, as is its impressive Plaza Mayor (square), which was opened in 1620 and remains one of Spain's most popular and typical spots.

Art and culture are central to Madrid life. The city has 73 museums that cover all fields of human knowledge. Of these, the most important are the Prado Museum, one of the world's greatest art galleries, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum with more than 800 paintings, sculptures and tapestries that go from the earliest Dutch masters to the most avantguard trends, and the Reina Sofía National Art Centre, which is dedicated to Spanish contemporary art, with works by Picasso, Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí and Juan Gris among others.

Visitors and residents alike can enjoy the sun, go for walks, go rowing or feed the squirrels in Madrid's large, impeccable parks and gardens. The Retiro Park, once playground of Spanish Monarchs, the Casa de Campo and the Juan Carlos I Park among others make Madrid one of Europe's greenest capitals. Madrid is also one of Europe's most attractive business centres. Its international airport receives more than one thousand flights weekly from all over the world and it has two main conference centres, as well as the modern Campo de las Naciones exhibition centre and a capacity to hold more than 80,000 people in other varied conference and meeting facilities.

Madrid's happening nightlife is another major attraction. Its pubs, bars, discos and flamenco clubs have a tremendous atmosphere, while by day there are traditional verbenas (open-air dances), popular festivals or the San Isidro bullfighting festival - rated as the world's most important.