Madrid was made the capital of Spain by King Phillip II in the mid 1500's. During this particular period of time, Spain was at the height of its colonial power.

Although, the Spanish Colonial Empire began to decline during the 1600's, Madrid remained a significant cultural governmental center during this time period.

Madrid incurred a great deal of damage during the Spanish Civil War which occurred from 1936 to 1939; therefore, a good deal of the town needed to be reconstructed from the ruins of war.

The Puerta del Sol (meaning Gate of the Sun) is a crescent shaped plaza located in the center of downtown Madrid.

The Calle de Alcala is one of the city's main streets and extends in an eastward direction from the Puerta del Sol. Some of the buildings found on this street were constructed as early as the 1500's and 1600's.

Madrid's business district is located north of the Calle de Alcala. Here the visitor will find banks, hotels, restaurants, shopping and theater.

The Salamanca district is located in the northeast portion of the city and is a residential area built in the latter part of the 1800's and early 1900's.

Madrid's most famous and significant monuments and buildings are inside or near the older section and central business district of the city. The Royal Palace is found at the western border of Madrid's “old section” and was constructed in the 1700's. The Royal family of Spain occupied the palace until the year 1931. In that year, King Alfonso X111 was forced out of the country. The palace is quite extraordinary, and became a museum after the Royals no longer took up residence inside of it.

Not to be missed are Madrid's lovely old churches. There are also a number of public squares with statues and fountains.

Beginning in the 1950s, Madrid began to expand from a population standpoint in all directions.

The people of Madrid are referred to as Madrilenos. (This is pronounced as Mah druh La Yn Yohs). The language is Castilian Spanish which is the official language of Spain.

The visitor will find many fine restaurants in the city. Favorite dishes of the people include beef, lamb and seafood.

Madrid's most popular sport is soccer. The city's soccer stadium is one of the world's largest with a seating capacity of more than 100,000. Also, Madrid is host to the traditional bullfights held at Plaza de Toros.

The University of Madrid is the country's largest University.

The Prado is one of the world's foremost art museums. The museum is also referred to as the National Museum of Painting and Sculpture. Here you will find well over two-thousand paintings by Spanish and other well-known national masters. Works by artists such as El Greco and Francisco Goya are “housed” within the museum.

Madrid is home to other significant museums of art and other museums “devoted” to natural history and science. Additionally, Spain's national Library and National Historical Archives are located inside the city. Madrid, therefore, is full of culture and significant historical and architectural sites.

You'll find the climate in Madrid as dry. The summers are hot and the winters are on the “cool side.” The temperatures average around forty degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees c) in January and around seventy four degrees Fahrenheit (23 degrees c) in the month of July.

Today, Madrid is a major industrial center. Spain encouraged the establishment of industry during the 1900s.

A brief history of the city follows:

During AD 900, a fortress was built by the Moors on the site that became Madrid.

In 1083, individuals under the rule of King Alfonso VI of Leon and Castile gained control of the area.

Madrid remained insignificant until the year of 1561. It was during this year Phillip II made Madrid the capital of the country. Madrid quickly grew during the late 1500s and early 1600s and became one of Western Europe's great cities.

Although aristocrats and royal officials built homes in the city during the time period, a large portion of the population were poor and lived in rundown and overcrowded conditions. As a result, epidemics were not uncommon and there was a great deal of crime.

All of that changed during the 1700s when the Spanish government took measures to clean up the city and, thus, make it a safer place in which to live.

During the time frame of 1808 to 1813, the French, under the leadership of Napoleon, occupied the city. In 1808, a group of Madrilenos revolted against the French forces. This initial revolt, however, proved unsuccessful. The uprising started a resistance movement by the Spanish and in time, the Spaniards were able to “drive” the French out of Spain.

Madrid was not able to develop industries during the 1800s. This was opposite of many other cities in many countries during the time period. As a result, the city did not attract “new” workers and it experienced a decline in its population.

The scenario, however, changed in 1936. The city attracted worldwide attention due to the Spanish Civil War.

Madrid experienced fighting between the Loyalists (whose allegiance was to the government), and the rebel forces of General Francisco Franco. The Loyalists moved the nation's capital to Valencia in 1936, and then to Barcelona in 1937. The Loyalists were defeated in 1939. After their defeat, Franco reestablished Madrid as Spain's capital.

Beginning in the mid 1900s, Madrid's population quickly grew.. Programs designed by the government, in order to develop industry and construct modern housing and office buildings has aided in the city's expansion.

In conclusion, Madrid is a large modern capital and is mainly visited for its world class museums as well as its art galleries. Additionally, the visitor will find the city has the best shopping in Spain, excellent places to “take in” a libation and the country's most exciting nightlife.

Following are some very well-appointed as well a historic places where you may wish to make your base when exploring Madrid.

The first suggestion is The Palace. It is said that the infamous Mata Hari stayed at The Palace.

The Palace can easily match the Ritz in its grand appearance because of its significant size and the fact its service is a bit less personal than the Ritz. The Palace architecturally provides a magnificent Art Nouveau rotunda, and neo-classical columns. The address is: Plaza de las Cortes 7, 28014 Madrid.

Another selection for accommodation is the Madrid Ritz. The top rated hotel has been in service since 1910. The grandest of accommodations was constructed at the insistence of King Alfonso X111. The common areas are elegantly furnished, as would be expected, with “priceless” carpets and tapestries. The rooms are most spacious and furnished with antiques. The service, of course, is “second to none.” Needless to say, The Ritz is easily one of Spain's first rate hotels. The accommodation is located at Plaza de la Lealtad 5, 28014 Madrid.

La Residencia de El Viso is a 1930's style villa with a quiet garden setting. The rooms are very well-appointed with coordinating fabrics. The areas open to the public provide high-backed chairs upholstered in a vivid red. Classic local dishes are featured on the dining room's menu. The address is: Nervi don 8, 28002 Madrid.

Another option as far as accommodations is AC Santo Mauro. The 19th century, French designed Palace house is located behind a black wrought-iron gate. There is a new annex to this luxurious hotel. Modern furnishings have been introduced to the interior of this hotel comprised of oak, marble, silks and velvets. The grand hotel is located at Zurbano 36, 28010 Madrid.

It has been said that Madrid is perhaps not as visitor-friendly as Barcelona; however, with its historical and cultural locations of interest, it still remains very much worth the visit.

Malaysia

Like other parts of the world, Malaysia too, celebrates the New Year's Day with great excitement and joyful. Malaysians prefer to celebrate New Year's Eve with much merry-making at public squares like Dataran Merdeka, hotels and restaurants. Though Malaysia is a multi-racial country with races includes Malays, Chinese, Indians, Sikhs, Eurasians, Portuguese, indigenous people and other minority races, we are here celebrated the New Year's celebration in harmonious and tranquility, regardless of religions, customs, languages and races. This unity spirit marks the strong unity among the citizens of Malaysians without bios and racism, which highlights the beauty of Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Malaysians gather one hour earlier at the Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur. Dataran Merdeka is just like the Times Square of New York. Almost all the restaurants and shops have their premises decorated with colorful bulbs, balloons and steamers. The Malaysian flag or “Jalur Gemilang” and the state's flags are swinging gracefully on top of the premises. People prefer to come out in the streets and stay until daybreak to cheer for the arrival of New Year rather than sit in front of the television, as they want to capture the full excitement moment in the mood of New Year's celebration. People will gather at stadiums, coffee shops, café, restaurants, KLCC, Genting Highlands and all parts of states in Malaysia shouting Happy New Year or “Selamat Tahun Baru” to each other when the clock strikes 12 at midnight.

The unique of Malaysians here are unity and family oriented. A day before the New Year in Malaysia, all family members from far of places return to their hometowns for the reunion dinners.

China

In the early morning on January 1, 2008, the Beijing Tiananmen held a grand flag-raising ceremony.

Flag-raising ceremony in China

People from all parts of China gathered here to watch the ceremony while greeting the arrival of 2008.

A child was sitting on the adult's shoulder while watching the flag-raising ceremony.

Japan

Every year on 1 January, Japanese celebrate their New Year or also known as Oshiogatsu or shogatsu. In general, the New Year in Japan commences on 31 December and lasts until 3 January. On every 31 December at the midnight, Buddhist temples ring their bells for 108 times on the last night of the passing year all over Japan. This event is also another major attraction called The Watched night bell held every year in Tokyo during the New Year's Day. The night bell is stricken 108 times symbolizes the 108 human sins in Buddhist belief and get rid of the 108 worldly desires regarding sense and feeling in every Japanese nation. Japanese believe that the tolling of the bells can get rid off their sins of the previous year.

Dezomenshiki in Japan

In Tokyo, the capital of Japan, people bid farewell to the past year and welcome the New Year by undertaking some activities such as Dezomeshiki (New Year's parade of firefighters. Traditional acrobatic stunts are performed by the firefighters of Tokyo in the parade during the New Year's Day in Tokyo) and Special Opening of the Imperial Palace Grounds.

Tokyo, Japan

Japanese eat Herring roe or fish egg (symbolizing fertility), black beans (symbolizing health), dried chestnuts (symbolizing success) and prawns as omens (symbolizing happiness) on the mood of celebrating the arrival of New Year. They also have their traditional mouthwatering delicacies called mochi or white rice cake breakfast called zouni.

Before the New Year's day, they sent cards to their relatives and friends but the postmen will keep them and only deliver the New Year's greeting cards or nengajo at one time on 1 January. All Japanese put on beautiful and finely knitted Japanese traditional costumes to greet their guests. Females will wear Kimono or Yugata on this day.

Japanese children play karuta or a card game, some play hanetsuki or a badminton type of game, and some have takoage or kite flying during New Year's Day. Parents give their children money or otoshidama on New Year's Day. In Japan, Japanese will do hatsu-mode by paying holly visits to Shinto temples and shrines to pray for a healthy and Happy New Year. They put decorations outside their house with pine and bamboo or Kado-matsu to celebrate New Year. They display a large steamed rice cake or Kagami-mochi in a place of importance in the house until 11 January.

South Korea

On 1 January, Korean people rush to sunrise sites in the eastern Gangwon Province and Southern city of Busan (the largest port city in the South Korea) to see the first sunrise of the New Year. Some gather at the east coast cities of Gangneung and Donghae to make wishes as the sun rose on the New Year. Korean Folk Village features at hosting some traditional games and events all over the Korea on New Year's Day. The festival mood of New Year's Eve Celebration includes a series of Korean cultural performances in central Seoul.

Watching sunrise in South Korea

Seoul, South Korea

On New Year's Eve, more than 150-thousand Korean people gather in Jongno district to witness the striking of an old temple bell at the Bosingak (Bonshingak, made in 1468,is the largest pavilion among the Korea's national treasures) pavilion. The bell rings 33 times to greet the coming of New Year. As the festive mood in Korea mounted, Korean people attend a variety of ceremonies and events, including parades, fireworks and traditional cultural performances till the end of the New Year's Day on 1 January every year.

United States of America

One of the unique and unusual New Year's celebrations in United States is the Mummer's Parade (This custom is brought to Philadephia by European settlers and dates back to medieval England, where troupes of costumed performers went house from house presenting a folk drama or Mummer's play at Christmas time. “Mummer” in German refers to a mask. The earliest known Mummer's club was formed in the 1840s and the first official "Mummer's Parade" was held in Philadelphia in 1901) held in Philadelphia on 1 January every year. This parade features at elaborating costumes with ornate costumes that rival those in Mardi Gras parades, comedy and string bands of accordions, saxes, drums, violins, banjos, bass fiddles, glockenspiels, and clarinets. A slide show of the parade is available from Mummer's museum while its photographs are available from Mummer's Picture Gallery.

New York Times Square, U.S.A

The New Year's celebration at Time Square, New York was the ball drop, and its streaming video clips are available at EarthCam.com. The first Ball lowering celebration held on headquarters in Times Square, New York on December 31, 1907 and has proceeded for the past 100 years.

The Waterford Ball is a geodesic sphere with six feet in diameter, and weighing approximately 1,070 pounds. During the New Year at Time Square, New York every year, people there lower the ball. There are 504 Waterford crystal triangles engraved with the names of those lost in the World Trade Center on the ball, with the decoration of 696 multicolored light bulbs, 96 high-density strobe lights and 90 rotating pyramid mirrors.

In celebrating the arrival of 2008, the Bow Tie of Time Square (42nd to 47th Sts. between Broadway and 7th Ave.) was unavailable to traffic. After lighting the New Year's Eve ball, city officials and guests at the Countdown Stage in the center of Times Square will ring a commemorative bell. By pushing the Waterford crystal button, it marked the final sixty-second countdown prior to the Ball Lowering. The numerals of the New Year “2008” shone high above Times Square, with the light bulbs on the New Year's Eve Ball turned off. A two-minute pyrotechnic display illuminated and glistered with the bursts of custom-mixed colors in the sky above One Times Square accompanying with special effects of computer. The release of the world-famous New Year's Eve confetti from the rooftops of buildings throughout Times Square marking the start of New Year and the people cheered happily and contentedly in the mood of New Year's celebration.

United Kingdom, U.K.

New Year in Britain is a time to drink, eat and dance either at homes or with friends in a club or pub when clock strikes 12 at midnight. Different countries and cities in Britain have their own unique ways to welcome the New Year but the spirit to celebrate the New Year in each person's heart is the same all over the Britain.

The other main feature of New Year in Britain is the tradition custom of “First Footers”, which believes that the first person over the threshold on the New Year's Day will dictate the luck to bring to the particular house on 1 January. Scotland and Northern Ireland had followed this tradition with the first footers bringing in a piece of coal, bread and whisky while crossing the threshold.

London, England

Chinese New Year's Day Parade, London

London's New Year's Day Parade, also known as Hogmanay is famous all over the world. Over thousands of people, more than 10,000 musicians, dancers, clowns and acrobats gather and feast at Trafalgar Square while waiting eagerly for the arrival of New Year. London is by far the best city to be on the New Year's Eve for some of its excellent bars and clubs. Last but not the least, is the traditional dragon dancing, music and entertainment at London's Chinatown.

Scotland

People celebrate Hogmanay (Hogmanay's culture roots back to the pagan practice of sun and fire worship in the deep mid-winter. This fire symbolizes how the light of the knowledge to be handed over from one year to the next, which carries forward the light of hope to a better world) or Scottish New Year on 31 December every year. It has become a great festive season at the large city of Glasgow and Edinburgh. To view “1000 pipers” gathered at Edinburg castle and piping their way down to Holyrood palace, go to Homnanay.com and click some of the video clips.

Fireworks display, Hogmanay's Street Party, Dornoch, Scotland

When the bells of Big Ben chimed at the midnight, everyone sang Auld Lang Syne with lots of kisses. The words to this song are as follows:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o'kindness yet
For auld lang syne!

Scotland “Firstfooting,” (Each year, groups of friends or families do a tour to each others' houses and each family takes turn to provide the meal for the group) and Ceilidhs (Scottish dances) took place in the most remote parts of Scotland. The children in Scotland went from house to house collecting oatcakes. Grand parties were held everywhere at this night, and people celebrated the arrival of New Year with Scottish dances or Ceilidhs.

Spain

Eating 12 grapes is a custom that makes New Year celebrations in Spain unique and New Year in Spain is worth visiting for his nightlife. The night view during the New Year's celebration is amazing, so make sure to be a part of the New Year in Madrid. Spanish people keep 12 grapes ready at the beginning of the New Year and eat one with each chime of the clock symbolizing the 12 months of the year. The grape eating custom dates back to the King of Spain, who gave grapes to everybody to eat on the New Year's Eve with jest and enthusiasm.

As soon as the clock strikes 12, people gather at the Puerta del Sol Square in Madrid cheered happily for the entry of the New Year. New Year in Spain indeed enchants the visitors with the atmosphere dipped in true festive mood, atmosphere and decorations all over the Spain.

In Barcelona, people also participate in 12 grapes eating tradition when clock strikes at 12 midnight. People here are having party, dance, music, drinking and feasting with great enjoyment, enlightening the New Year's atmosphere. Visitors may come to experience countless surprises while having rock band performances to salsa, and from ballroom dance to gourmet delights. Another feature of New Year celebrations include the arrival of Magos who distribute candies and lollipops to all in The Procession of the Three Kings, bottle rockets and other aerial fireworks are being shot off all over the city particularly in Barcelona, furnishing Spain with an aura of jollity and festive atmosphere.

Spanish people celebrated the arrival of the New Year or Año nuevo

A buffoon shakes his hands during a New Year's celebration in Spain's Madrid on December 31, 2007

Germany

In German language, “Silvester” refers to New Year's Eve as the name suggests that a pope who lived in the fourth century has his feast day of Saint Sylvester on 31 December. People here celebrate New Year by dancing, singing, drinking and getting merry. Many Germans prefer playing games to foretell the future of the arrival of the New Year. Dropping molten lead into cold water is one of the famous games that predicting the future according to the shapes it takes in the cold water. Some prefer to share this special moment with their friends and loved ones.

When the clock strikes at 12 midnight, Germans hug and wish each other Happy New Year. To celebrate New Year's Eve, Germans usually splash a bottle of fine champagne, burn eye-catching fireworks and party hard.

Germany Brandenburg Gate

In Frankfurt, a city rich in culture and tradition, the sky is dazzling with brilliant firework display. On the New Year's Eve, in almost all the pubs and clubs in Frankfurt, one cannot stop from munching the delicious almond cookies called Brenten, Bethmännchen and drinks like Kinderpunch and Apfelwein. On every 1 January, the traditional New Year's concert is held annually at Alte Oper with performances include Maurice Ravel's Alborada del Cracioso, Klavierkonzert G-Dur, Boris Blacher's Orchestervariationen über ein Thema von Paganini and Mazeppa. Meanwhile in Hamburg, as soon as the clock strikes 12 at midnight, the church bells toll and ships sound their horns, which marks the merriment of the New Year. New Year is a gala event where dance, party and usher in the New Year bidding adieu to the old in the stylist city of Germany has become an important festival in Hamburg, Germany.

France

The French celebrate New Year on 1 January by exchanging gifts, cards and goodies as if Americans celebrate Christmas. Initially, people celebrated the New Year's Day known as “La Saint Sylyestre” in France since 1582.

Paris, France

During the French New Year's Eve, people celebrate with grand pomp and show. Various cultural programs too, take place during the New Year's Day. French make every moment approaching New Year by partying hard with family and dear ones, and bid a joyful farewell to the past year while welcoming the New Year with sparkling success, glorious and excitement. The New Year's holidays in France ends on 6 January with a tradition of cutting cake and types of cakes are in varieties depends on the place where you are in France.

Australia

During New Year in Australia, the Sydney Harbor Bridge is dazzling with more than 80,000 fireworks lit at the Circular Quay in vicinity to the Sydney Opera House. During the New Year's Eve, from a 16km radius around Sydney, one can see the fireworks sparkling with glorious, joyful, and more than 300,000 tourists from all over the world who want to capture the glimpse of the famous fireworks set their legs in Sydney. Everyone set eyes on the clock waiting eagerly for the arrival of the New Year.

Sydney, Australia

Australians prefer to go on picnics, outing and camping on beaches as ways to bid farewell to the past year and at the same time welcoming the arrival of the New Year. Meanwhile, people enjoy themselves by having New Year Party, camping and enjoying bonfires in Sydney. As soon as the clock strikes at sharp 12 at midnight, they ring the Church bells with excitement. People there make loud noises, blow car horns, whistles and shouting Happy New Year to each other. The spirit to celebrate the New Year is the same no matter whether they are at the seaside, in a dance club, at home, in the shopping complex, in a hotel and any other places all over the Australia.

In celebrating the arrival of 2008, people have party along with their beloved family, relatives and friends in Melbourne accompanying with the hottest rock bands performing on Melbourne beaches. For the community of Chinese-Australia, spectacular Great Dragon appears in the streets of Melbourne, marking the arrival of the New Year.

Good-bye 2007, welcome 2008!