Aranjuez is a town in the southern part of Autonomous Community of Madrid in central Spain and is the southernmost, and 48 km south of the city of Madrid. It is located at the confluence of the Tagus and Jarama rivers. The municipality of Aranjuez has a population of 46,891 (2004), 22,897 are males and 23,994 are females. It is also located 48 km from Toledo.

Aranjuez is known for the Palacio Real de Aranjuez, a royal residence, and its vast gardens. The strawberries of Aranjuez are also famous throughout Spain; they are shipped by the carload to Madrid every day during their season.

Transportation

• A4 (old NIV) (Madrid - Cadiz)
• N400

Aranjuez is served by Renfe commuter trains to Atocha station in Madrid.

Population

• 2002: 40,928

• 2004: 46,891

History

The origin of the name is in the Basque language. It derived from Arantza (hawthorne in English), Aran (meaning valley or plum in English). The old name of the ciry was Aranz. During the Middle Ages, the city was known as Aranzueque or Arançuex until it became Aranjuez. Coming from Latin Ara Jovis or Ara Iovia.

In 1983, Aranjuez was declared Conjunto Histórico Artístico , literally the Historic Artistic Junction.

Persons

• Santiago Rusiñol, painter
• Joaquín Rodrigo, musician
• Alicia Hermida , Spanich actress
• Jose Luis Sampedro , writer

External links

(in Spanish)

http://www.aranjuez.es
http://www.aranjuez.ws
http://www.portalaranjuez.com
http://www.aranjuez.com
http://www.aranjuez.tv
http://www.aranjuez.org
http://www.deportesenaranjuez.com/
http://www.4esquinas.com
http://www.consumodigital.com

See also List of municipalities in Madrid.