Madrid's topography slopes downward from the high peaks in the northwest to the river valleys in the southeast.
- **Highest Point:** The peak of Peñalara, standing at 2,428 meters (7,966 feet) above sea level in the Sierra de Guadarrama. - **Lowest Point:** The Alberche River valley in the municipality of Villa del Prado, at approximately 430 meters (1,410 feet) above sea level. - **Mountains:** The Sierra de Guadarrama and the Sierra de Ayllón form a natural northwest border, featuring dramatic ridges, glacial cirques, and deep valleys. - **Plains and Plateaus:** The central and southern areas are characterized by rolling plains and broad river valleys, typical of the southern Castilian plateau (Submeseta Sur).
