Beth Myers, age 13, of DeKalb, Ill. for her question:
IS MADRID AN OLD CITY?
Madrid is Spain's largest city and also its capital, located near the geographic center of the nation, Madrid is an old city that traces its origin back to the 10th century when it was established as a Moorish fortress, called Majrit or Magerit, and designed to guard the Spanish city of Toledo.
The fortress, which stood where the royal palace now stands, was captured in 1083 by Alfonso VI of Leon, who went on to drive the Moors from Toledo in 1085.
Madrid remained small after the Moors were driven out. Then in 1561 Philip II moved the royal court there. His successor, Philip III, ruled from Valladolid before Madrid became the official capital in 1607.
Madrid subsequently grew rapidly and reached a peak of prosperity and importance in the 17th and 18th centuries.
From 1808 until 1812 the city was ruled by Joseph Bonaparte, following a fierce battle in the Puerta del Sol square, immortalized in Goya's famous painting "The Third of May, 1808." Bitter fighting again occurred here during the Spanish Civil War, when the Loyalist city resisted a long siege before capitulating to the Nationalists in 1939.
Today's population of Madrid is about 3.5 million. Located at an altitude of about 2,150 feet above sea level, it vies with Barcelona as the nation's principal manufacturing center. Major products include motor vehicles, aircraft, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, processed food, printed materials and leather goods.
Many tourists visit Madrid every year. The traditional center of the city is the historic Puerta del Sol.
Among the many institutions of higher education are the University of Madrid, the Pontifical University (1892), the Polytechnic University (1971) and the Royal Academy of Music (1830).
The famous Plaza Mayor which was begun in 1617. Here bullfights, executions of heretics and other spectacles were staged in the 17th and 18th centuries. There's also the large Plaza de la Cibeles, with fountains and a statue of Cybele (Mother Earth) and the Plaza de Toros Monumental which accommodates the bullring.
The Prado Museum, with exhibits of famous paintings by E1 Greco, Francisco Goya and Diego Velazquez, is a major landmark. Other points of interest include the massive Royal Palace (1739 64) which is used for state functions and the 18th century church of San Francisco el Grande.
Located in the metropolitan area are Zarzuela Palace, residence of the country's monarch, and the Prado, a palace built by Philip II (1556 98) and formerly the home of Francisco Franco.
The large granite Monastery of E1 Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen, a monument commemorating those who died in the Spanish civil war (1936 39) are nearby.