[muh-drid; Sp. mah-th
reeth] 
| a city in and the capital of Spain, in the central part. 3,500,000. |
[mah-druh-lee-nee-uhn, ‑leen-yuhn] , adjective, noun [speyn] ,| a kingdom in SW Europe. Including the Balearic and Canary islands, 39,244,195; 194,988 sq. mi. (505,019 sq. km). Capital: Madrid. |
| Ma·drid (mə-drĭd') The capital and largest city of Spain, on the central plateau north-northeast of Toledo. Built on the site of a Moorish fortress captured in the 10th century, it became the capital in 1561 during the reign of Philip II and grew in importance and magnificence under the Bourbons in the 18th century. Madrid was a Loyalist stronghold during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). Population: 3,130,000. |
Capital of Spain and largest city in the country, located in the center of Spain.
Note: Madrid was the scene of fighting between the Loyalists and rebel forces of Francisco Franco during the Spanish Civil War; the city was greatly damaged.
Note: Madrid is the home of an outstanding art museum, the Museo del Prado.
Constitutional monarchy in southwestern Europe, consisting of the Spanish mainland (bordered to the northwest by France and to the west by Portugal), the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Its capital and largest city is Madrid.
Note: During the sixteenth century, Spain was the greatest world power. Its success was based partially on the riches it acquired in the New World (see Latin America and South America).
Note: The destruction of the Spanish Armada, a fleet sent to conquer England in 1588, marked the beginning of the decline of Spanish power.
Note: In the Spanish-American War, the United States defeated Spain, freed Cuba from Spanish colonial rule, and seized a number of former Spanish colonies, including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
Note: In the Spanish Civil War, conservatives led by General Francisco Franco overthrew the second Spanish Republic.
Note: The Spanish monarchy was fully restored in 1975 after Franco's death. He had been dictator (see dictatorship) for thirty-six years.
Note: Under King Juan Carlos, Spain has established a political democracy and has been integrated into the European community.
Note: Bullfighting is a popular spectator sport in Spain.
Note: Basque separatists have carried out many acts of terrorism against Spain.