Henares

Henares is a river in central Spain, a right-bank tributary of the Tagus. It flows through the autonomous communities of Madrid and Castile-La Mancha and through the provinces of Guadalajara and Madrid, forming a corridor that has supported cities and agriculture for centuries. The river’s course passes through towns such as Azuqueca de Henares and Alcalá de Henares, the latter giving its name to the city and to the river. The Henares originates on the central plateau and drains a basin that has long shaped human settlement and economic activity in the region.

The lower valley around Alcalá de Henares is notable in cultural history, and the city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as the birthplace of Cervantes. The river is part of Madrid’s broader water resources and has historically supplied irrigation and domestic water to surrounding communities.

In modern times, the river has faced pollution and flow-regulation challenges linked to urban and agricultural development. Water-management programs and wastewater-treatment improvements have been implemented to protect ecological health and secure water supply. The Henares valley remains important for agriculture, biodiversity, and regional history, and the river continues to figure in local toponymy and identity.