The grand metropolis of Madrid has its origins in the times of the Arab Emir Mohamed I (852-886), who ordered the construction of a fortress on the left bank of the Manzanares River. It later became cause of a dispute between the Christians and Arabs until it was conquered by Alfonso VI in the 11th century.
During the 18th century, under the reign of Carlos III, the great arteries of the city were designed, such as el Paseo de la Castellana, Paseo de Recoletos, Paseo del Prado and Paseo de las Acacias.
The capital of Spain, located in the heart of the Iberian Península and right in the centre of the Castillian meseta, is 646 meters above sea level and has a population of over three millions.
Madrid, a cosmopolitan city, a business centre, headquarters for the Public Administration, Government, Spanish Parliament and the home of the Spanish Royal Family.
Madrid is known by an intense cultural and artistic activity as well as a quite lively nightlife.
The `Avenue of Art`, located in el Paseo del Prado is doubtless unique, here you find three of the leading art galleries in the world: the Prado, Thyssen Bornemisza and Centro de Arte Reina Sofía Museums.
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