Madrid is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain, known for its rich culture, architecture, and incredible cuisine. However, whether Madrid is considered a part of Northern Spain or not is a subject of debate among people.
Geographical Location of Madrid
Madrid is the capital city of Spain and is located right in the center of the country. It lies at an altitude of 667 meters above sea level on the Meseta plateau.
The plateau itself is situated between two mountain ranges – the Sistema Central to the north and Sierra de Guadarrama to the northwest. Due to its location in central Spain, Madrid has a Mediterranean climate with dry summers and mild winters.
Is Madrid in Northern Spain?
The answer to this question depends on how you define Northern Spain. If you consider Northern Spain as just a geographical region covering the provinces such as Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Basque Country, Navarra, and La Rioja – then Madrid doesn’t fall under it.
However, if you define Northern Spain based on cultural and historical aspects such as language and traditions – then Madrid can be considered as part of it too. Several areas that are geographically located in Central Spain share cultural similarities with those located in Northern regions.
Language
One of the most significant indicators that Madrid shares certain cultural aspects with Northern regions is its language. Spanish spoken in cities like Leon, Burgos or Valladolid (located in Castilla y León) has some similarities with Basque or Galician languages spoken by people living in those regions. As Castilian Spanish (the official language of Spain) originated from Castilla y León region (where Madrid belongs), the influence is evident.
Traditions
Another aspect that connects Madrid with Northern regions is their shared traditions. For instance, the processions during Holy Week (Easter) in Madrid have similarities with the ones held in cities such as Valladolid or León. Similarly, the folk music and dances of Central Spain share some characteristics with those of Northern regions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, whether Madrid is considered a part of Northern Spain or not depends on how you define “Northern Spain”. Geographically, Madrid doesn’t fall under the Northern region but culturally and historically it shares several similarities with it. So, while you may not find Madrid listed as a part of Northern Spain on a map, it’s safe to say that it has some cultural and traditional connections with this region.