The mountainous region of Madrid can be divided into two areas.
On one hand the sierra, in the north and west of the region, which includes part of Somosierra and Guadarrama.
On the other hand, in the central and southern parts of the region, the area is flatter and forms part of the plateau of La Mancha and La Alcarria.
The sierra is blessed with typical mountainous characteristics including high peaks that reach over 2,200 metres in altitude, including Peñalara (2,430 m), Hierro (2,383 m) and Maliciosa (2,227 m).
In the south there are extensive plains that are crossed by rivers such as the Henares, along with small mountain hills and valleys.
The most important hydrological collector in the region is the Tagus basin, that is nourished by the Jarama, the Manzanares, the Alberche and the Guadarrama rivers.
Other major rivers in Madrid include: the Lozoya, the Guadalix and the Henares.
Population
The population of this autonomous region according to figures from the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE) as of the 1st of January 2001, after having reviewed the Inhabitants register is 5,372,433.
The region of Madrid has experienced a population explosion in the twentieth century. The most populated cities are: Madrid, Getafe, Mostoles, Leganes, Alcala de Henares, Fuenlabrada and Alcorcon.
Administration
The region of Madrid is a one province autonomy, also called Madrid.
The self-government of the region of Madrid as cited in its Statute is comprised of the following ministries: The General Assembly, the Government and the President of the Region. There are 102 seats in Madrid's Assembly. Madrid's Government is made up in the following way: President of the Government, Presidency Department, Treasury, Justice and Public Affairs, Economy and Technology, Employment, Public Transport and Town Planning, Education, Environment, Health, Culture and Social Services.
Weather
The region of Madrid falls within the area that has a continental climate.
Nevertheless in general terms, Madrid can be considered has having a semi-arid Mediterranean climate, with marked continental features produced by its altitude and geographical location. The rainfall is not very high (433mm average per year). The winters tend to be cold and the summers very hot. Spring and autumn are most notable for having very mild temperatures. The highest rainfall is recorded in autumn. There is also a lot of rain in spring, but these rains tend to come from storms. The summer on the other hand is very dry. The climate in the mountain areas is varied. The rainfall increases notably with altitude, and is often converted into snow around the highest peaks.
Infrastructures
The region of Madrid has an excellent network of transport links.
The roads and the rail network, as well as air transport of both passengers and freight, have helped the region to develop favourably, and also help to connect the region to the rest of Spain and the world. Madrid-Barajas airport lies 17 kilometres from the capital, and is considered one of the worlds most important airports. There are regular national and international flights from the airport to a variety of different destinations. The nerve centre of Spanish roads lies in Madrid, from where numerous roads and motorways begin their life. The rail network in the region is run by RENFE, that links the region itself along with other destinations throughout the rest of Spain. The high-speed train, AVE, departs from Madrid and connects the capital with Seville. The high-speed network is constantly expanding and Madrid will soon be connected to Valladolid and the Mediterranean coast.
The mountainous region of Madrid can be divided into two areas.
On one hand the sierra, in the north and west of the region, which includes part of Somosierra and Guadarrama.
On the other hand, in the central and southern parts of the region, the area is flatter and forms part of the plateau of La Mancha and La Alcarria.
The sierra is blessed with typical mountainous characteristics including high peaks that reach over 2,200 metres in altitude, including Peñalara (2,430 m), Hierro (2,383 m) and Maliciosa (2,227 m).
In the south there are extensive plains that are crossed by rivers such as the Henares, along with small mountain hills and valleys.
The most important hydrological collector in the region is the Tagus basin, that is nourished by the Jarama, the Manzanares, the Alberche and the Guadarrama rivers.
Other major rivers in Madrid include: the Lozoya, the Guadalix and the Henares.
Population
The population of this autonomous region according to figures from the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE) as of the 1st of January 2001, after having reviewed the Inhabitants register is 5,372,433.
The region of Madrid has experienced a population explosion in the twentieth century. The most populated cities are: Madrid, Getafe, Mostoles, Leganes, Alcala de Henares, Fuenlabrada and Alcorcon.
Administration
The region of Madrid is a one province autonomy, also called Madrid.
The self-government of the region of Madrid as cited in its Statute is comprised of the following ministries: The General Assembly, the Government and the President of the Region. There are 102 seats in Madrid's Assembly. Madrid's Government is made up in the following way: President of the Government, Presidency Department, Treasury, Justice and Public Affairs, Economy and Technology, Employment, Public Transport and Town Planning, Education, Environment, Health, Culture and Social Services.
Weather
The region of Madrid falls within the area that has a continental climate.
Nevertheless in general terms, Madrid can be considered has having a semi-arid Mediterranean climate, with marked continental features produced by its altitude and geographical location. The rainfall is not very high (433mm average per year). The winters tend to be cold and the summers very hot. Spring and autumn are most notable for having very mild temperatures. The highest rainfall is recorded in autumn. There is also a lot of rain in spring, but these rains tend to come from storms. The summer on the other hand is very dry. The climate in the mountain areas is varied. The rainfall increases notably with altitude, and is often converted into snow around the highest peaks.
Infrastructures
The region of Madrid has an excellent network of transport links.
The roads and the rail network, as well as air transport of both passengers and freight, have helped the region to develop favourably, and also help to connect the region to the rest of Spain and the world. Madrid-Barajas airport lies 17 kilometres from the capital, and is considered one of the worlds most important airports. There are regular national and international flights from the airport to a variety of different destinations. The nerve centre of Spanish roads lies in Madrid, from where numerous roads and motorways begin their life. The rail network in the region is run by RENFE, that links the region itself along with other destinations throughout the rest of Spain. The high-speed train, AVE, departs from Madrid and connects the capital with Seville. The high-speed network is constantly expanding and Madrid will soon be connected to Valladolid and the Mediterranean coast.