Soto del Real facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Soto del Real
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 Soto del Real
Location in Spain
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| Country |  Spain |
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| Autonomous community |  Madrid |
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| Province | Madrid | |
| Comarca | Cuenca Alta del Manzanares | |
| Judicial district | Colmenar Viejo | |
| Founded | See text | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 42.17 km2 (16.28 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 921 m (3,022 ft) | |
| Highest elevation | 2,119 m (6,952 ft) | |
| Lowest elevation | 890 m (2,920 ft) | |
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 8,694 | |
| • Density | 206.17/km2 (533.97/sq mi) | |
| Demonym(s) | Sotorrealeño, ña | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | |
| Postal code |
28791
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| Dialing code | 847 | |
| Official language(s) | Spanish | |
Soto del Real is a lovely town and municipality in the northern part of the Community of Madrid in Spain. It used to be called Chozas de la Sierra. In 2022, about 9,188 people lived there.
This town is located about 43 kilometers (27 miles) from Madrid, the capital city. It sits between the towns of Manzanares el Real and Miraflores de la Sierra. It is also very close to the Santillana reservoir, a large lake.
Contents
Exploring Soto del Real's Geography
Soto del Real is in the northern part of the Community of Madrid, right in the middle of the Iberian Peninsula. The municipality has a long, narrow shape. Most of its area is protected within the Parque Regional de la Cuenca Alta del Manzanares, which is a regional park.
Where is Soto del Real Located?
Soto del Real shares its borders with several other towns:
- To the west, it borders Manzanares el Real.
- To the east, it borders Miraflores de la Sierra.
- To the south, it borders Colmenar Viejo.
- To the north, it borders Rascafría.
Land and Water in Soto del Real
Soto del Real has many different types of land. You can find mountain tops, gentle slopes, and a valley called the Manzanares-Guadalix tectonic pit. The main town area is inside this valley. Several small streams like Mediano, Chozas, and Matarrubias flow through it. These streams all lead into the Santillana reservoir, which then feeds into the Manzanares river.
Rocks and Earth of the Region
From a geology point of view, the area is split into two main parts. The Mountain range part mainly has a type of rock called Gneiss, with some granite rocks sticking out. The valley area is filled with younger sediments. In the southern part of the municipality, you can also find limestone rocks from the Mesozoic era, which was a very long time ago.
A Look at Soto del Real's History
The first signs of people living in the area of Soto del Real go back to the 10th century. Archeologists have found old houses and ceramic pieces. These findings suggest that shepherds lived here a long time ago.
Early Conflicts and Royal Decisions
During the 13th century, the land around Colmenar Viejo, Chozas de la Sierra (the old name for Soto del Real), and Porquerizas (now Miraflores de la Sierra) caused arguments. The provinces of Madrid and Segovia both wanted control of this area. In 1389, John I of Castile, a king of Spain, decided to add Chozas to the larger area called El Real de Manzanares.
Later, in 1568, Philip II of Spain, another king, made Chozas separate from El Real de Manzanares. This gave the town more independence.
How Soto del Real Got Its Name
The name Soto del Real has been used since 1959. The people living there voted to choose this name. They could have also picked Alameda de la Sierra or kept the old name, Chozas de la Sierra. The town's coat of arms, which is like its official symbol, shows parts of both its old and new names.
The word Soto means "grove" or "forest" in Spanish. This part of the name refers to the many trees and forests around the town. The "del Real" part reminds everyone of its historical connection to El Real de Manzanares from 1389 to 1568.
Fun Times: Soto del Real's Festivities
Soto del Real loves to celebrate!
August Festivities
The first weekend of August is a very special time. The town celebrates its main festivities in honor of the Virgen del Rosario (Our Lady of the Rosary). She is the patron saint of the municipality.
Other Important Dates
- October 7th: This day is also celebrated because it is the actual day of the Virgin of the Rosary.
- May 15th: The town celebrates the day of San Isidro, another important saint.
Getting Around: Bus Lines
Soto del Real is connected to other towns by several bus lines. These buses help people travel to and from the town.
- SE720: This bus goes between Colmenar Viejo and Manzanares el Real.
- 720: This line connects Colmenar Viejo to Collado Villalba.
- 721: This bus travels from Madrid (Plaza de Castilla) to Colmenar Viejo. On Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, some buses on this line continue to the Madrid V Penitentiary Center, which is just outside Soto del Real.
- 724: This line goes from Madrid (Plaza de Castilla) to Manzanares el Real and then to El Boalo.
- 725: This bus connects Madrid (Plaza de Castilla) to Miraflores de la Sierra, Bustarviejo, and Valdemanco.
- 726: This line travels from Madrid (Plaza de Castilla) to Guadalix and Navalafuente.
See also
In Spanish: Soto del Real para niños
