Galapagar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Galapagar is a town northwest from Madrid, Spain. Of all the towns in the area, it is experiencing the most growth, mostly because of immigration and the conversion of old livestock fields into terrain for construction. Its population is over 26,000 people.
The name Galapagar comes from the Spanish galápago, meaning turtle, as the towncentre was settled near a lake filled with turtles.
The town first appears as a village in the eleventh century, its importance due to the frequent hunting expeditions by the Spanish royalty, and being a main stop in the road from the capital to the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.
Bullfighting, stock-breeding, meadows, and excellent beef are the main features of Galapagar.
