Cañada Real facts for kids
Cañada Real is a long, narrow community located in the Madrid Region of Spain. It is a series of homes built along an old path, called a "drovers' road," that stretches for about 14.4 kilometers (9 miles). This path was historically used for moving farm animals between La Rioja and Ciudad Real. Cañada Real is considered one of the largest informal housing areas in a European city. It passes through the towns of Coslada, Rivas-Vaciamadrid, and parts of Madrid.
Where is Cañada Real?
Cañada Real is built on the Cañada Real Galiana. This is one of the traditional paths that used to connect La Rioja to Ciudad Real. It is also close to the M50 motorway, which is a major ring road around Madrid. This unique community has different types of homes. Some are well-built houses, while other areas show signs of extreme poverty.
The first homes in Cañada Real were built in the 1950s and 1960s. These early settlements are now part of the urban area of Coslada. Many of the people who lived there eventually bought the land from the Spanish government. Today, it remains known as the largest informal housing area in a European city.
How is Cañada Real divided?
The Cañada Real is very long, so it is divided into six main sections. Each section has its own features and is located between different roads or landmarks:
- Sector 1: This first part is about 0.52 kilometers (570 yards) long. It starts in Coslada and ends at the M-45 road, which is a major highway.
- Sector 2: This section is about 1.8 kilometers (1 mile) long. It is located between the M-45 and the M-203 roads.
- Sector 3: This part is shorter, about 0.73 kilometers (800 yards) long. It lies between the M-203 and the M-823 roads.
- Sector 4: This section is about 2 kilometers (1¼ miles) long. It stretches between the M-823 road and a path called Camino de la Partija y Santísimo.
- Sector 5: This part is about 1.45 kilometers (1590 yards) long. It is located between the Camino de la Partija y Santísimo and the A-3 highway.
- Sector 6: This is the longest section, about 6.7 kilometers (4¼ miles) long. It is the last part within Madrid and goes from the A-3 highway to the border with Getafe.
Who lives in Cañada Real?
In 2012, about 8,048 people lived in Cañada Real, in around 2,650 homes. At that time, it was considered the largest informal community in Southern Europe. The people living there come from different backgrounds. Many are Spanish Romani people, and others are migrants, mainly from Morocco. By 2017, the population was around 7,283 people.
See also
In Spanish: Cañada Real (Madrid) para niños
