n.
Autonomous community (pop., 2001: 5,423,384), central Spain.
It occupies an area of 3,100 sq mi (8,028 sq km), and its capital is Madrid . The province extends across the southern slopes of the Guadarrama Mountains and roughly coincides with the region drained by the Jarama, Henares, and Manzanares rivers. It was the scene of several decisive battles during the Spanish Civil War (193639). All the national railways converge in the province. The Somo Mountain Pass provides access to the northeast through the central mountains.