Facts and Figures about Madrid
Society, politics, demography, geography, social sciences and other stuff about Madrid
See the left menu for the category you're interested in. Below are some "Top Facts" about the capital of Spain.
#1. Important people live in Madrid...
Madrid-Uno lives there! ARF!!
#2. Madrid is one of the fastest growing cities in Europe
Over 6 million people live in the 'Comunidad' (up by a million since 1998) and about 3.5 million of them in the city itself, which is growing fast, helped by Spain's relatively strong economic outlook and a large influx of immigrants from Eastern Europe and South America. It is the third largest city in the EU after London and Paris.
#3. It's scorchio hot in July / August but there is often snow in winter
Be prepared to sweat if you come in the height of summer, the highest recorded temperature in Madrid was 42.2°C (that's 108 F in old money) although humidity is generally low, and bring a sweater in winter, lowest recorded temperature was -14.8°C (5.4 F). The average annual temperature in the shade is 13ºC (55 F).
#4. Madrid is the highest of all European capitals
Built on the plateau between a series of small mountains the city's average altitude is 655 metres (2,100 feet) above sea level, its highest point being 694 metres, The average barometric pressure is 707 mm.
#5. All Spanish roads lead to Madrid
Well, not quite. But the Puerta del Sol / Plaza Mayor area represents the centre of the radial network of Spanish roads, which is why the main motorway exit signs are all numbered by the distance from Sol (rather than, say, 1, 2, 3, 4 etc.).#6. Madrid currently votes PP
The city is currently run by the Partido Popular (centre-right), although this party is in opposition nationally. There are 179 municipalities in the Comunidad de Madrid and the city is represented with 35 seats in Congress and 10 in the Senate. The President of the autonomous community is Esperanza Aguirre (since 2003) who had previously been the first female President of the Spanish Senate.
#7. Romanians are the largest ethnic group in Madrid
They numbered 148,000+ according to the 2006 census. Ecuadorians came in second (137,000) and Moroccans third (68,000).
#8. Real Madrid have won more European Cups than than any other team
The white storm have won a total of 9 European Cups / Champions League trophies as well as 2 UEFA Cups, 29 National Championships and 17 Copa del Rey's. Atlético de Madrid's record is less grand with 9 National Championships, 9 Copa del Rey's and one European Cup Winners' Cup.