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Madrid: Spain's capital city
A busy city street in Madrid. The city has many fine old buildings.
Madrid has been the capital of Spain for more than 400 years. It is a busy, crowded city and more than three million people live there. There are wide, tree-lined streets in the city, many fountains and quiet parks. There are hotels, shops, restaurants and theatres. The people of Madrid are called Madrilenos. Travel around the city is by bus or by the underground railway called the Metro. The Museo del Prado is Madrid's world-famous gallery which houses works by famous Spanish painters such as Diego Velázquez.
Go here to read about Diego Velázquez and see some of his paintings
http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/velazquez/
The Royal Palace in Madrid was once the home 
of the royal family. Now it is used to entertain important visitors to the city and for special celebrations. It is open to the public as a museum.
Plaza Major, Madrid's city square, built 300 years ago, is a popular meeting place. There are shops and many outdoor restaurants.
Weather in Madrid
Winter (December to middle March)
Though cold, winter in Madrid is usually dry. Sometimes it snows in the city.
Spring (middle of March - May)
The days are warm and the nights cool. Rain falls at this time of the year, and days are often windy.
Summer (June - August)
Madrid's summer is hot and in July and August the city gets very hot, with temperatures into the 40's. There are occasional summer storms
.
Fountains and tree lined streets help keep Madrid cool in summer
Autumn (September - November)
The temperature is very pleasant and there is always the risk of some rain.
Here are the average temperatures for each month in Madrid:
January: 9 ºC, February: 11 ºC, March: 15 ºC, April: 19 ºC, May: 22 ºC, June: 27 ºC July: 31 ºC, August: 32 ºC, SeptemFountains and tree lined streets help keep Madrid cool in summer
Read about Madrid here: http://www.aboutmadrid.com/
Toledo
The ancient city of Toledo is close to Madrid. The oldest part of the city is encircled on three sides by the Tagus River. There are narrow, twisting streets full of shops and restaurants.
Barcelona is Spain's second largest city and has the largest sea port in the country. The oldest part of the city was built more than 2000 years ago and once had a wall around it. In newer parts of the city the streets are wide and lined with trees. Modern apartments, offices and shopping centres have been built there. The people enjoy the street cafes, restaurants, markets, museums, galleries, churches and quiet parks of the city.
Read about Spanish food here http://www.xmission.com/~dderhak/recipes.html
http://www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/food/
Sports, festivals and bullfights
Many Spaniards like playing and watching soccer and tennis. Soccer is the most popular spectator sport. Skiing on the snowy mountains in winter, and water skiing in summer are popular. So too, are golf and bicycle racing.
Flamenco dancers stamp their feet, click their heels, snap their fingers and clap their hands.
Folk songs, dancing and festivals are popular in Spain. People from different parts of the country have their own special songs and dances. Flamenco is a Spanish dance that has become famous around the world.
Fiestas
Read about Spanish festivals here http://www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/fiestas/
In bullrings throughout the country, teams of bullfighters, made up of picadors, bandilleros and the matador kill bulls to entertain the crowds. More about bullfights is here http://www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/bullfight/
Read more about Spain here http://www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/
and here http://www.whatspain.com/internet/
If you use any of this information in your own work acknowledge this source in your bibliography like this:
Thomas & Sydenham, Spain . [Online] www.kidcyber.com.au (2006)
updated June 2006
© [2007] kidcyber