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With a population of over four million, the Spanish capital of Madrid, located in the center of the Iberian peninsula, is truly Spain´s core and force. A hub for business, government, industry, and finance, one cannot underplay Madrid´s importance and stature as Spain´s most important city. An ever changing and growing city, Madrid is characterized by movement, liveliness, and for being easy to get around and friendly for its size. A fabulous city for a person wishing to get to know what life is like in a dynamic capital, and who would like to be able to have easy access to other cities in Spain, there is no better option than Madrid. During the day, students along with the locals and the passersby will enjoy the beautiful tree lined avenues, numerous parks, plazas, cafés, museums and shops. At night, it is evident why Madrid is characterized as a city where sleeping is overrated. Bars, cafés, restaurants, nightclubs, but most of all, people can be found throughout the city at all hours. Travelling to many nearby places of interest is easy from Madrid. If you want to be constantly stimulated and experience a fast paced atmosphere with plenty to do and experience both during the day and at night, then Madrid is the perfect place for you.

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It is no wonder that Spain continues to grow as a popular destination for tourists worldwide.  A surprisingly rich and refreshing combination of the old and the new imbibes all of its various regions, allowing visitors to experience the country´s diversity. With the majority of its borders touching either ocean or sea, and being the second most mountainous country in Europe, the country¿s various landscapes make unique and unforgettable backdrops for any kind of visit.  Apart from the landscape, friendly people, fascinating culture, unique history, beautiful architecture from the centuries old to avant garde, and fabulous food and wine are all easy to come by in every corner of the country. Capital: Madrid (3,15 mill hab) Language: Spanish, and also Catalan, Galician, and Basque Population: 40,397,842 Area: 504,782 km2 Current: Euro, and before the peseta TOP Tourism: Begin in the heart of the city, in the Puerta del Sol, full of movement and people. Next, to the Plaza Mayor, symbol of Madrid life, and in other times, host to many local fairs, celebrations, and bullfights.  Now lined with shops and cafés, and filled with street musicians, vendors, etc.  Gran Vía is the city¿s grandest street and worthy of a stroll.  The Royal Palace provides another historic perspective, and is surrounded by beautiful gardens, and is a great example of baroque and Italianate architecture.  The Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen Museums house fantastic collections of both national and international art.  Be sure to pass through Retiro Park, an oasis of gardens and green zones in the middle of the city. TOP Airports: Madrid Barajas (about 15 km from the city center, with metro and buses to the city in about half an hour) TOP Weather: Typically a dry climate, with a chilly winter, and a hot summer.  Winter temperatures can often be less than 8ºC (46ºF), and in July and August, sunny and hot with temperatures regularly reaching upwards of 35ºC (95ºF). TOP Visa: Students who wish to study for longer than 90 days in Spain and who are not from Schengen member countries must solicit a student visa through the Spanish Embassy or consulate responsible for the state or region where the student lives. TOP Embassies: Spanish Embassy in the US: http://www.mae.es/Embajadas/Washington/en/Home/ Spanish Embassy in the UK http://spain.embassyhomepage.com/ Spanish Embassy in Canada:  http://www.embaspain.ca/ Spanish Embassy in Australia:  http://www.embaspain.com/ For a complete listing of other Spanish embassies around the globe:  http://www.embaspain.com/ TOP Links: http://www.spain.info/ http://www.okspain.org http://www.esmadrid.com TOP