As the former capital of the old Spanish Empire, Madrid has been bestowed with a degree of cultural predominance. Museums such as Museo del Prado, the Museo Reina Sofia, and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza are major tourist attractions in the city. Other cultural highlights include the Royal Palace of Madrid.

The population of the city was 3.228 million (July 2005), while the estimated urban area population is 5.078 million. The entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area (urban area and suburbs) is calculated to be 5.843 million. The city spans a total of 607 km² (234 square miles).

Following the restoration of democracy in 1975 and the integration to the European Union, Madrid has experienced an increasing role in European finances, making an important European metropolis. The residents of Madrid are called Madrileños, and the current mayor is Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón, of the centre-right Partido Popular.