| Situated in the centre of the country, Madrid is the | | | | designer clothes are sold in classy upmarket stores. |
| capital. It is a city of over 3 million people and a | | | | There are food markets throughout the city and the |
| crossroads for rail, road and air travel. Its altitude of | | | | centuries-old Rastro, open every Sunday, is one of |
| 660 meters gives rise to a classic temperature profile | | | | the world's greatest flea markets. |
| of cold winters and hot summers, making spring and | | | | The central plateau is covered in dry plains and |
| autumn the best times to visit. Those who can get | | | | massive rolling fields. Given the attractions of the |
| away from Madrid during August make for the cooler | | | | Costas and the Islands it is not an area where many |
| north or south to the Med. | | | | Europeans call home. It is a place to work. Long |
| Despite the climate the capital city has its own | | | | straight roads and huge fields with wheat, sunflowers |
| individual personality. It holds the Paruqe del Retiro, a | | | | and grape overwhelm the region. It is deserted and |
| world famous area of paths and avenues, a royal | | | | of real beauty, suitable for those endangered in |
| palace and grand public squares. Its museums are | | | | agriculture or for those who want to get off the |
| brimming with Spain's historic treasures. Madrid is a | | | | beaten track, going back to the roots in old rural |
| city that has the best in shopping facilities. The latest | | | | Spain. |