Guadarrama

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Guadarrama is a town in the Community of Madrid in Spain.

Pop: 13032 (winter, 2006 census), approx. 60000 (summer).

Co-ordinates 40°40′22″N 04°05′20″W / 40.67278°N 4.08889°W / 40.67278; -4.08889.

Founded by Arabs, Guadarrama achieved the status of "villa" under Fernando V of Castile (II of Aragon) on November 22, 1504. Fernando VI ordered the building of a road to Corunna through the Pass of Guadarrama, which saw intensive fighting during the Spanish Civil War. As a result, after the Spanish Civil War Guadarrama had to be rebuilt almost completely.

After a short period in which it was famous for its tuberculosis sanatoriums, it has become important as a tourist location and a second residence for Madrid inhabitants.

The Sierra de Guadarrama is visited by Madrid residents seeking colder temperatures. It was the location for some scenes in the 1964 film The Fall of the Roman Empire.

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