# Alcalá de Henares

> city of Spain in the Community of Madrid

**Wikidata**: [Q46940](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q46940)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcalá_de_Henares)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alcal-de-henares

## Summary
Alcalá de Henares is a city and the capital of the Alcalá de Henares Municipality, located in the Community of Madrid, Spain. With a population of 198,975 residents as of 2024, it serves as a significant administrative and urban center recognized as a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities.

## Key Facts
- **Location:** City in the Community of Madrid, Spain.
- **Coordinates:** 40.481815° N latitude, -3.364305° W longitude.
- **Population:** 198,975 (as of 2024 resident register); historical data points range from 172,418 to 204,823.
- **Administrative Status:** Capital of the Alcalá de Henares Municipality; classified as a city, locality, and populated place nucleus.
- **Identifiers:** INE code 28005000101; UN/LOCODE ESACL; GeoNames ID 3130616; Who's On First ID 404338695.
- **Membership:** Member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities (as of December 31, 2023).
- **Official Website:** http://www.ayto-alcaladehenares.es.
- **Major Educational Institution:** University of Alcalá (public university founded July 1, 1977).
- **Historical Foundations:** Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso (founded April 13, 1499); Cathedral of los Santos Niños Justo y Pastor (inception 414); Archbishop's Palace (inception 1209).
- **Ancient History:** Site of Complutum, an ancient city.
- **Geography:** Features the Cerro del Viso and Los Cerros de Alcalá mountains; situated near the Henares river.
- **Transportation:** Served by the Alcalá de Henares railway station and the Alcalá de Henares-Universidad station (inception December 1, 1975).
- **Cultural Institutions:** Home to the Museo de Escultura al Aire Libre de Alcalá de Henares (inception 1993), Fundación Colegio del Rey (inception 1984), and several university museums including the Museo de las Artes Gráficas Ángel Gallego Esteban (inception June 16, 2021).
- **Sports:** Hosts CD Cajamadrid, a handball and basketball club (inception 1978/1979).
- **Industry:** Electrotren, a trademark established in 1951, is headquartered in the city.

## FAQs
**Where is Alcalá de Henares located?**
Alcalá de Henares is located in Spain, specifically within the autonomous community of Madrid. Its geographic coordinates are approximately 40.48° N latitude and 3.36° W longitude.

**What is the population of Alcalá de Henares?**
As of 2024, the city has a population of 198,975 residents according to the resident register. Historical population figures have fluctuated between approximately 172,000 and 204,000 in recent years.

**What historical landmarks are located in Alcalá de Henares?**
The city contains significant historical sites including the ancient city of Complutum, the Cathedral of los Santos Niños Justo y Pastor (inception 414), the Archbishop's Palace (inception 1209), and the Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso (founded 1499).

**What universities and museums are in the city?**
It is home to the University of Alcalá, a public university founded in 1977. The city also hosts multiple museums such as the Museo de Escultura al Aire Libre, the Museo Luis González Robles, the Museo de Arte Iberoamericano, and the Museo de las Artes Gráficas Ángel Gallego Esteban.

**What transportation options are available?**
The city is served by two railway stations: Alcalá de Henares and Alcalá de Henares-Universidad, the latter of which began operations in December 1975.

## Why It Matters
Alcalá de Henares holds significant cultural and historical importance, serving as a bridge between ancient and modern Spanish history. As the site of Complutum, an ancient city, and later a hub during the Crown of Castile era—evidenced by the founding of the Studium Generale in 1293—it represents a long continuum of intellectual and political development. Its membership in the Organization of World Heritage Cities underscores its global cultural value, driven by its well-preserved historical architecture and its role as a center for education through the University of Alcalá. The city functions as a vital administrative capital within the Community of Madrid, balancing its rich heritage with contemporary urban needs through its diverse museums, active transportation links, and community institutions.

## Notable For
- **Ancient Origins:** Encompasses the site of Complutum, an ancient city.
- **Educational Heritage:** Hosts the University of Alcalá and the historic Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso, tracing its academic roots back to the Studium Generale established under the Crown of Castile.
- **Architectural Landmarks:** Features the Cathedral of los Santos Niños Justo y Pastor, originating in 414, and the Archbishop's Palace, originating in 1209.
- **Cultural Diversity:** Home to specialized museums including an open-air sculpture museum and the Museo de las Artes Gráficas Ángel Gallego Esteban.
- **Sports Clubs:** Base of operations for CD Cajamadrid, which fields teams in both handball and basketball.
- **Geographic Features:** Distinguished by local mountains such as Cerro del Viso and Los Cerros de Alcalá.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Alcalá de Henares is situated in the central part of Spain, within the Community of Madrid. The city's geographic coordinates are 40.481815° N latitude and -3.364305° W longitude. It is located near the Henares river and is characterized by surrounding geographical features including the Cerro del Viso and Los Cerros de Alcalá mountains. Administratively, it is classified as a city, a municipality capital, a locality, and a populated place nucleus.

### Administration and Demographics
As the capital of the Alcalá de Henares Municipality, the city holds the INE code 28005000101. It is identified by various international codes, including the UN/LOCODE ESACL and the GeoNames ID 3130616. According to the resident register data from 2024, the population is 198,975. Historical population data indicates fluctuations, with figures such as 204,823, 203,924, and 203,686 recorded in previous counts, and earlier data points reaching back to 172,418.

### History and Heritage
The city's historical depth is marked by the ancient city of Complutum. Religious and political history is represented by the Cathedral of los Santos Niños Justo y Pastor, which dates back to 414, and the Archbishop's Palace, established in 1209. During the era of the Crown of Castile, the city gained prominence as a cultural hub; the Studium Generale of Alcala was established in 1293, serving as a precursor to the modern university. The Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso, a cultural property founded on April 13, 1499, stands as a testament to this historical academic significance. The Palace of Laredo, completed in 1880, adds to the city's architectural heritage.

### Education and Culture
Alcalá de Henares is a center for education, hosting the University of Alcalá, a public university founded on July 1, 1977. The city supports a vibrant cultural scene through various institutions. The Fundación Colegio del Rey, established in 1984, is headquartered at Calle Libreros and Plaza del Empecinado. The Museo de Escultura al Aire Libre de Alcalá de Henares, an open-air museum, was established in 1993.

The University of Alcalá manages several specialized museums:
- **Museo Luis González Robres de la Universidad de Alcalá** (inception 2002).
- **Museo de Arte Iberoamericano de la Universidad de Alcalá** (inception 2016).
- **Museo de las Artes Gráficas Ángel Gallego Esteban de la Universidad de Alcalá** (inception June 16, 2021).

### Transportation and Infrastructure
The city is connected via railway infrastructure, including the Alcalá de Henares railway station and the Alcalá de Henares-Universidad station. The latter station began operations on December 1, 1975. These facilities facilitate regional travel and integration with the broader transport network of the Community of Madrid.

### Sports and Industry
Alcalá de Henares is home to CD Cajamadrid, a sports club founded in 1978 (handball) and 1979 (basketball). The city also hosts the headquarters of Electrotren, a trademark that has been in existence since 1951.

### Regional Context
Alcalá de Henares is part of the Comarca de Alcalá, a historical comarca in the Community of Madrid. It is linked to the broader region through entities such as the Alcalá Street and the Alcalá Gate located in Madrid. The city operates under the administrative framework of Spain, a country located in Southwestern Europe with territories in Africa, and the Community of Madrid, an autonomous community established in 1983.

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