Getafe is a city in the southern zone of the Madrid metropolitan area, Spain, 12 km from downtown. The town's population is 156,320 (INE December 2006). Getafe is an industrial and commercial centre, and has a military airport ("Cradle of Spanish aviation" says the slogan). Among the industries located in Getafe, is an EADS (formerly CASA) factory, where several parts of the Airbus are manufactured. It has good transportation links with Madrid by several highways (A-4, A-42 (previous N-401), M-45) and the Madrid Metro.
Directly to the east of Getafe we find the Cerro de los Ángeles, historically considered to be the geographical centre of Spain. Recently declared head of a diocese, its cathedral is the church of the Magdalena (XVI century). Getafe is also head of the University Carlos III, installed in an old military barracks, perfectly renewed for their new use.
The town's football team, Getafe CF, has played in La Liga since the 2003-2004 season. They play at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez (capacity 16,000).
Getafe is linked to Madrid by the bus lines 441,442,443,444,447,and 448 as well as two commuter trains lines (C-4 and C-5) and the new Metrosur with eight stations (Arroyo Culebro, Conservatorio, Alonso de Mendoza, Getafe Central, Juan de la Cierva, El Casar, Los Espartales and El Bercial).
Copyright manuele Ferlito 2009-2010