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The
region of Madrid lies right in the middle of the Spanish mainland
bordering Castile-La Mancha and Castile and Leon.
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.
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