Madrid is the capital and largest city in Spain. The city is located at almost the exact geographical center of the Iberian Peninsula. Madrid became the Spanish capital in 1561, when Felipe II moved the Imperial Court from Sevilla to Madrid, although without making any official declaration. The population of Madrid was at this time around 25,000, today the population of Madrid is around 3.3 million and in the whole of the urban area it is about 7.1 million.
Sevilla is one of the largest cities in Spain. It bears numerous traces of the 500 years of Moorish occupation. The cathedral is the largest Gothic building in the world and has a superb collection of art and period stonework. Christopher Columbus is buried here. Of great importance is also the Alcazar, the palace fortress of the Arab kings and one of the finest examples of Mudejar (Moorish) architecture.
Cordoba was founded by the Romans. Cordoba's heyday was during the early Moorish period when it was reputed to be the most splendid city of Europe. The main tourist attraction is the Great Mosque (the Mezquita), built between 785 and 1002. In the 16th century the center of the mosque was transformed into a Christian church.
