Most people automatically associate Madrid with Spain, as it is a famous city that serves as the European country that attracts many visitors each year. Additionally, Madrid is featured in several popular novels, including classics written by the world traveler, Ernest Hemmingway. If you think the only famous Madrid is an ocean away, think again! There are several famous towns named Madrid in the United States!

Madrid, Maine situated in the heart of Franklin County is named after the Spanish Capital. It is a small town with a population of less than 200 and is located on the banks of Sandy River near Salem. Its history can be traced back to 1887 when it was inhabited by Free Baptists who later started seven schoolhouses for the children of the town.

The state of Alabama also holds a town named Madrid, this one being only slightly larger than the town of the same name in Maine. With only slightly over 300 residents that call the town home, this town rests in Houston County and is part of the metro area of Dothan. Just the Madrid, Maine, this town is also named after the famous town in Spain.

The third Madrid is in the state of New York next to the Grasse River. It was in 1801 that the first settlers came to this small area of land near Potsdam and Lisbon and called it Madrid. Later it was named New Madrid but finally the council decided to call it only Madrid. It is in St. Lawrence County. There was a large and successful grist mill in Madrid, New York for many years until it was eventually closed. This town also resembles its namesake in Spain.

There is another town in the "Show Me" state named after the Spanish Capital. This town of New Madrid came into existence in the year 1783 after two French settlers settled here and initially named it L'Anse a la Graisse. Now this town of 4.5 square miles area has nearly 3000 inhabitants. New Madrid is nearly 45 miles south of Cape Girardeau and 145 miles south of St. Louis. It lies directly on the New madrid fault line and was totally damaged by earthquakes in 1811.

Another Madrid is in the Midwestern United States. It is just 25 miles northwest of Iowa's capital city. It was founded in 1846 by Swedish settlers, often referred to as a bedroom community of Des Moines. It happens to be the oldest Swedish settlement in the west of the Mississippi River. This small hamlet has become quite prosperous since the railway traveled through it. The town was renamed in 1882 and incorporated in 1886.

You can get more information on these towns through their websites. Though few of these towns are small,they are abreast of the latest technological inovations and have a well established presence on the web.

It's a good idea to visit Madrid, USA before you can make it to the Spanish capital. It makes interesting study and you will find many other American towns named after European capitals.