Earth observations taken from Space Shuttle Columbia during STS-78 mission

STS078-742-051 (20 June - 7 July 1996) --- One of the crew members aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in Earth-orbit photographed this space to Earth view of Madrid, the capital of Spain as well as that country’s largest city. Madrid represents the national center of arts and industry. It is located in the center of the photo and is difficult to see because it blends into the surrounding colors. It was in 1607 that Philip III officially made the city the national capital, a status it has retained ever since. Under the patronage of Philip and his successors, Madrid developed into a city of curious contrasts, preserving its old, overcrowded center, around which developed palaces, convents, churches, and public buildings. Madrid lies almost exactly at the geographical heart of the Iberian Peninsula, near the Carpetovetonica Range. It is situated on an undulating plateau of sand and clay known as the Meseta (derived from the Spanish word mesa, or "table") at an altitude of 2,100 feet (635 meters) above sea level, making it one of the highest capitals in Europe. It is not on a major river, in the way that so many European cities are, but is on a smaller river, the Manzanares.