Basque Country

The Basque Country (Euskal Herria in Basque) straddles the western Pyrenees mountains that define the border between France and Spain, extending down to the coast of the Bay of Biscay. It corresponds more or less with the historical area of the Basque people and language.

History

See the article on the Basque people for their full history.

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The Kingdom of Navarre was during a very short period of time the only political entity to encompass the Basque Country on both sides of the Pyrenees. The kingdom reached its greatest size under Sancho III of Navarre (c. 985–1035). It incorporated most Basque-speaking lands, among others, but was divided repeatedly after his death. In 1512, the troops of Ferdinand II of Aragon took the Southern part, but Basse-Navarre, north of the Pyrenees remained independent until 1620 when it was incorporated into France, with which it had been in personal union since 1589, when the King of Navarre inherited the French throne.

Related Topics:
Kingdom of Navarre - Sancho III of Navarre - 985 - 1035 - 1512 - Ferdinand II of Aragon - 1620 - France - 1589 - King of Navarre

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Since the time of Sancho III, there has been no single government over all seven territories. Basque nationalism emerged in the 19th century as the aspiration for such a nation state. In the 1980s, the Spanish state devolved into autonomous communities, of which the Spanish Basque Country became the Basque Country. Against the wishes of Basque nationalists but favoring the wishes of most the population of Navarra, Navarre established itself separately with little cultural collaboration.

Related Topics:
Basque nationalism - 19th century - Nation state - 1980s - State - Devolved - Autonomous communities - Basque Country - Basque nationalist

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More recently, cross-border meetings among the Basque regions have been sponsored by the Atlantic Arc Commission of the European Union.

Related Topics:
Atlantic Arc Commission - European Union

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