Community of Madrid

Community of Madrid
Settlement type	Autonomous community
Coordinates	40, 30, N, 3...
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Spain
Seat type	Capital
Seat	Madrid
Parts type	Provinces
Leader title	President
Leader name	Isabel Díaz Ayuso
Area total km2	8028.0
Area rank	12th
Population total	6,751,251
Population as of	2023
Population rank	3rd
Population density km2	auto
Blank name sec1	Official language(s)
Blank info sec1	Spanish
Blank1 name sec1	Statute of Autonomy
Blank1 info sec1	March 1, 1983
Iso code	ES-MD
Website	[https://www.comunidad.madrid/ comunidad.madrid]

Community of Madrid is an autonomous community of Spain, coextensive with the province of Madrid and located at the heart of the Iberian Peninsula. Its capital and largest city, Madrid, is also the national capital, making the region the political, economic, and cultural center of the country. Encompassing an area of just over 8,000 square kilometers, it is bordered by the autonomous communities of Castile and León and Castilla–La Mancha.

Geography

Situated on the Central Plateau, the region's terrain is predominantly a high plain, with the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range forming its northwestern border, part of the larger Sistema Central. Key geographical features include the Lozoya River and the reservoirs of El Atazar and Valmayor, which supply water to the capital. The Jarama and Henares rivers are other significant waterways that flow through the territory, converging in the southeast near Aranjuez. The climate is predominantly continental Mediterranean, characterized by hot, dry summers and cool winters, with more alpine conditions in the higher elevations of the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park.

History

The area's history is deeply intertwined with that of its capital city, which was designated the permanent seat of the royal court by Philip II in 1561, transforming the town into a major European capital. Prior to this, the territory was a sparsely populated region within the historical realm of Castile. The Spanish War of Independence saw significant fighting in the region, including the Dos de Mayo Uprising in 1808. In the 20th century, it was a key battleground during the Spanish Civil War, notably during the Siege of Madrid and the Battle of Jarama. The modern autonomous community was formally established by its Statute of Autonomy in 1983, created from the province of Madrid which was previously part of the historical region of New Castile.

Government and politics

The region is governed by the Government of the Community of Madrid, headquartered at the Royal House of the Post Office, with a unicameral legislature known as the Assembly of Madrid. The president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso of the People's Party, has led the executive since 2019. The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party and Más Madrid are other major political forces in the assembly. The community's highest court is the High Court of Justice of Madrid, and it is represented in the national Congress of Deputies and the Senate of Spain. Key administrative divisions include 179 municipalities, with major towns like Móstoles, Alcalá de Henares, and Getafe having their own local councils.

Economy

It possesses the largest economy among all Spanish autonomous communities, functioning as the nation's primary financial and corporate hub. The region is home to the headquarters of nearly all major Spanish companies, including IBEX 35 giants like Inditex, Telefónica, and Banco Santander, as well as the Madrid Stock Exchange. Key industrial and technological zones are located in areas like the Henares Corridor and Getafe, with the latter hosting important aerospace facilities for Airbus. The service sector is overwhelmingly dominant, with significant contributions from tourism centered on landmarks like the Prado Museum, Royal Palace of Madrid, and Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, as well as major international fairs at IFEMA.

Demographics

With a population exceeding 6.7 million, it is the third most populous autonomous community in Spain, after Andalusia and Catalonia, and by far the most densely populated. The capital city of Madrid accounts for roughly half of the region's inhabitants. The population has grown rapidly due to significant internal migration from other Spanish regions in the mid-20th century and, more recently, substantial international immigration, with large communities from Romania, Morocco, and Ecuador. Other major population centers include the cities of Alcorcón, Fuenlabrada, and Leganés, which form part of the extensive metropolitan area.

Culture

The region is a cultural powerhouse, hosting world-renowned institutions such as the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum—home to Picasso's *Guernica*—and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, which together form the Golden Triangle of Art. It is a major center for the performing arts, with venues like the Royal Theatre, the National Auditorium of Music, and the Teatro de la Zarzuela. The community's calendar is marked by festivals such as the Fiestas de San Isidro, and it is the heart of the Madrid derby between football clubs Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid. The historic university city of Alcalá de Henares, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes, further underscores its deep literary and academic heritage.

Category:Autonomous communities of Spain Category:Communities of Madrid