Madrid is the capital and largest city in Spain.
The city is located on the Manzanares River in the center of the country, in the Region of Madrid (which includes the city of Madrid, with its suburbs and surrounding villages); this area is bordered by the Autonomous Communities of Castile and Leon, and Castile-La Mancha. As the capital of Spain, Madrid is the city where the government of the state is located and the seat of the Spanish monarch, Madrid is also the political center of Spain.
As the capital, Madrid is a city that plays an important role in the cultural and political life of Spain. Madrid is also one of the main European economic centers, and its Barajas International Airport is the largest in Spain and one of the leading airports in Europe. Because of its economic importance, living standards, and market size, Madrid is considered the main financial center of the Iberian Peninsula; the city is home to the headquarters of the vast majority of the major Spanish companies, as well as three of the 100 largest companies in the world (Telefonica, Repsol-YPF, Endesa).
While Madrid has a modern infrastructure, it has retained its historical importance. Among the sights of Madrid are the huge Royal Palace of Madrid; The Royal Theater with the restored Opera House from 1850; Buen Retiro Park, founded in 1631; the imposing 19th century building of the National Library (founded in 1712) which contains some of Spain's most important historical archives; the archaeological museum, which is renowned worldwide for its permanent exhibition; and three superb art museums: the Prado Museum, which houses one of the finest art collections in the world, the Reina Sofia National Art Center, a contemporary art museum, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, housed in the renovated Villahermosa Palace ).
Madrid is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain and is known for its many cultural attractions.