An Overview of Basque Country By Katherine Schulz Richard Updated July 22, 2016. The Basque people have inhabited the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains around the Bay of Biscay in northern Spain and southern France for thousands of years. They are the oldest surviving ethnic group in Europe. It is interesting, however, that scholars have still not determined the exact origins of the Basques. The Basques may be the direct descendants of the Cro-Magnon hunter-gatherers that first lived in Europe about 35,000 years ago. The Basques have prospered, though their distinctive language and culture were sometimes suppressed, giving rise to a modern violent separatist movement. Ancient History of the Basques Much Basque history is still largely unverified. Due to similarities in place names and personal names, the Basques may be related to a people called the Vascones that lived in Northern Spain. The Basques get their name from this tribe. The Basque people had probably already lived in the Pyrenees for thousands of years when the Romans invaded the Iberian peninsula in approximately the first century BCE.

continue reading below our video Test Your General Science Knowledge Middle History of the Basques The Romans had little interest in conquering the Basque territory due to the mountainous, somewhat non-fertile landscape. Partly due to the protection of the Pyrenees, the Basques were never defeated by the invading Moors, Visigoths, Normans, or Franks. However, Castilian (Spanish) forces conquered the Basque territory in the 1500s, but the Basques were given a great amount of autonomy. Spain and France began to pressure the Basques to assimilate, and the Basques lost some of their rights during the Carlist Wars of the 19th century. Basque nationalism became particularly intense during this period. Basque Mistreatment During the Spanish Civil War Basque culture greatly suffered during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s. Francisco Franco and his fascist party wanted to rid Spain of all heterogeneity. The Basque people were targeted harshly. Franco banned the speaking of Basque. The Basques lost all political autonomy and economic rights. Many Basques were imprisoned or killed.

Franco ordered a Basque town, Guernica, to be bombed by the Germans in 1937. Several hundred civilians died. Picasso painted his famous “ Guernica ” to demonstrate the horror of war. When Franco died in 1975, the Basques received much of their autonomy again, but this did not satisfy all Basques. ETA Terrorist Acts In 1959, some of the fiercest nationalists founded ETA , or Euskadi Ta Askatasuna, Basque Homeland and Liberty. This separatist, socialist organization has conducted terrorist activities to try to break away from Spain and France and become an independent nation-state . Over 800 people, including police officers, government leaders, and innocent civilians have been killed by assassinations and bombings. Thousands more have been injured, kidnapped, or robbed. But Spain and France have not tolerated this violence, and many Basque terrorists have been imprisoned. ETA leaders have claimed numerous times that they want to declare a cease-fire and solve the sovereignty issue peacefully, but they have broken the cease-fire repeatedly. The majority of Basque people do not condone the violent actions of ETA, and not all Basques want complete sovereignty.

Geography of the Basque Country The Pyrenees Mountains are the major geographic feature of the Basque Country (map) . The Basque Autonomous Community in Spain is divided into three provinces – Araba, Bizkaia, and Gipuzkoa. The capital and home of the Basque Parliament is Vitoria-Gasteiz. Other large cities include Bilbao and San Sebastian. In France, the Basques live near Biarritz. The Basque Country is heavily industrialized. Energy production is important. Politically, the Basques in Spain have a great deal of autonomy. They control their own police force, industry, agriculture, taxation, and media. However, Basque Country is not yet independent. Basque - Euskara Language The Basque language is not Indo-European. It is a language isolate. Linguists have tried to connect Basque with languages spoken in North Africa and the Caucasus Mountains, but no direct links have been proven. Basque is written with the Latin alphabet. The Basques call their language Euskara . It is spoken by about 650,000 people in Spain and about 130,000 people in France.

Most Basque speakers are bilingual in either Spanish or French. Basque experienced a resurgence after the death of Franco, and it is now crucial to know Basque to get government jobs in that region. Basque is finally seen as a suitable language of instruction in educational facilities. Basque Culture and Genetics The Basque people are known for their interesting culture and occupations. The Basques built many ships and were excellent seafarers. After explorer Ferdinand Magellan was killed in 1521, a Basque man, Juan Sebastian Elcano, completed the first circumnavigation of the world. St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order of Catholic priests, was Basque. Miguel Indurain has won the Tour de France multiple times. Basques play many sports like soccer, rugby, and jai alai . Most Basques today are Roman Catholic . The Basques cook famous seafood dishes and celebrate many festivals. The Basques may have unique genetics. They have the highest concentrations of people with Type O blood and Rhesus Negative blood, which can cause problems with pregnancy. Basque Diaspora There are approximately 18 million people of Basque descent around the world.

Many people in New Brunswick and Newfoundland, Canada , are descended from Basque fishermen and whalers. Many prominent Basque clergyman and government officials were sent to the New World. Today, about 8 million people in Argentina, Chile, and Mexico trace their roots to the Basques, who emigrated to work as sheepherders, farmers, and miners. There are about 60,000 people of Basque ancestry in the United States. Many reside in Boise, Idaho, and in other places in the American West. The University of Nevada at Reno has a Basque Studies Department . Basque Mysteries Abound In conclusion, the mysterious Basque people have survived for thousands of years in the isolated Pyrenees Mountains, preserving their ethnic and linguistic integrity. Perhaps one day scholars will determine their origins, but this geographic puzzle remains unsolved.

Bilbao and the Basque Country Travel Guide | Fodor's Travel Bilbao and the Basque Country Travel Guide Nearby Airports: BIO, PNA, EAS, VIT Plan Your Bilbao and the Basque Country Vacation Northern Spain is a misty land of green hills, low russet rooflines, and colorful fishing villages; it's also home to the formerly industrial city of Bilbao, reborn as a center of art and architecture. The semi-autonomous Basque Country—with its steady drizzle (onomatopoetically called the siri-miri), verdant landscape, and rugged coastline—is a distinct national and cultural entity. Navarra is considered Basque in the Pyrenees and Navarran in its southern reaches, along the Río Ebro. La Rioja, tucked between the Sierra de la Demanda (a mountain range that separates La Rioja from the central Castilian steppe) and the Ebro, is Spain's premier wine country. Called the País Vasco in Castilian Spanish and Euskadi in the linguistically mysterious, non-Indo-European Basque language Euskera, the Basque region is more a country within a country, or a nation within a state (the semantics are much debated).

You may have heard of the terrorist organization ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna, meaning "Basque Homeland and Liberty") and their political killings in the name of Basque independence. Conflicts have died down in recent years, and they have not affected or targeted travelers. Basque culture is truly fascinating and unlike any other region in Spain. The Basques are known to love competition—it has been said that they will bet on anything that has numbers on it and moves (horses, dogs, runners). Such traditional rural sports as chopping mammoth tree trunks and lifting boulders reflect the Basques' attachment to the land as well as their enthusiasm for feats of endurance. Even poetry and gastronomy become contests in Euskadi, as bertsolaris (amateur poets) improvise duels of sharp-witted verse, and gastronomic societies compete in cooking contests to see who can make the best sopa de ajo (garlic soup) or marmitako. View All (2) Top Reasons To Go Explore the Basque coast From colorful fishing villages to tawny beaches, the Basque Coast always delights the eye.

Eat tapas in San Sebastián Nothing matches San Sebastián's Parte Vieja, with the booming laughter of tavern-hoppers who graze at counters heaped with colorful morsels. Appreciate Bilbao's art and architecture The gleaming titanium Guggenheim and the Museo de Bellas Artes (Fine Arts Museum) shimmer where steel mills and shipyards once stood, while verdant pastures loom above and beyond. Run with the bulls in Pamplona Running with a pack of wild animals (and people) will certainly get your adrenaline pumping, but you might prefer to be a spectator. Drink in La Rioja wine country Spain's premier wine region is filled with wine-tasting opportunities and fine cuisine. When To Go When to Go Mid-April through June, September, and October are the best times to enjoy the temperate climate and both the coastal and upland landscapes...

Check historic weather for your trip dates: Itineraries Basques - Introduction, Location, Language, Folklore, Religion, Major holidays, Rites of passage Basques LOCATION: Northwest Spain and southwest France POPULATION: 3 million(2.5 million in Spain) LANGUAGE: Euskera (Basque language); Spanish; French RELIGION: Roman Catholicism 1 • INTRODUCTION The Basques are a single people who live in two countries—northwest Spain and southwest France. The Basques may be the oldest ethnic group in Europe. They are thought to have inhabited the southwestern corner of the continent since before Indo-European peoples came to the area approximately 5,000 years ago. Surviving invasions by the Romans, Visigoths, Arabs, French, and Spanish, they resisted domination by outsiders until the Middle Ages (AD 476–1450). At that time, much of their territory was seized by Spaniards, Gascons, and Catalans. In 1516, the Basques on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees Mountains agreed to Castilian rule but won the right to keep a degree of self-government.

By 1876, all Basque lands were divided between France and Spain. During the regime of General Francisco Franco (1939–75) the Basque language and culture in the Spanish provinces were ruthlessly suppressed (prohibited). By the 1950s, resistance groups had formed, most notably the Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA)—Basque Homeland and Liberty. The ETA committed terrorist acts throughout the 1970s and 1980s, even after Spanish rule over the Basques was liberalized following Franco's death in 1975. Three of the four Spanish Basque provinces—Vizcaya, Guipúzcoa, and Navarra—were unified in 1980 as the Basque Autonomous Community. Its inhabitants were granted limited autonomy, recognition of their language and culture, and control over their schools and police force. However, the ETA—although representative of only a small minority—has continued to fight for full Basque independence. There has been little or no comparable activity among the French Basques, who have not been subjected to the same type of repression as those in Spain.

However, separatist sympathizers on the French side have provided the ETA with material assistance and safe havens. 2 • LOCATION Basque country consists of four regions on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees (Vizcaya, Guipúzcoa, Navarra, and Alava) and three on the French side (Labourd, Basse-Navarre, and Soule). Basques call these territories collectively, Euskal-Herria (Land of the Basques) or Euskadi . It has been nearly a thousand years since these regions were unified politically. The area is geographically varied, containing the ridges and foothills of the Pyrenees and a short coastal plain along the Bay of Biscay (an inlet along the Atlantic Ocean), as well as steep, narrow valleys and mountain streams. With some 3 million inhabitants (2.5 million in Spain and half 0.5 million in France), the land of the Basques is a densely populated area. Blood types and other genetic information suggest that they are an ancient people who inhabited the region long before the arrival of other European groups.

According to a Basque saying, "Before God was God and boulders were boulders, the Basques were already Basques." 3 • LANGUAGE The Basque language, also known as Euskera, is Europe's oldest living language. It is unrelated to Spanish, French, or any other Romance language and belongs to no other known language family. It was the universal language of rural Basques until the end of the nineteenth century. At that time it had no written literary tradition. During Franco's regime in the mid-twentieth century, all Spanish regionalism (devotion to the uniqueness of one's own region) was suppressed. This caused the number of Basque speakers in Spain to decline sharply (as opposed to France, where the figures are higher). In recent years, Basques in both Spain and France have promoted—with some success—the use of their traditional language. Every province and town in Spain's Basque country has two official names—a Spanish one and a Basque one. Both appear on all road signs. The Basque language is extremely difficult and complex. (Regional folklore has it that the Devil tried to learn Basque for seven years and gave up.) In addition, there are a number of different dialects.

Basque is also rather exotic when contrasted with other Western tongues. For example, intensity may be expressed by repeating a word twice ("very hot" is bero-bero ). This language feature is unknown among European languages but common among Polynesian ones. The language also lacks generic terms for "tree" and "animal": there are names for specific trees (oak, maple, etc.), but not for trees in general. SAMPLE WORDS AND PHRASES hello, how are you? kaixo, zer moduz? A common Basque proverb is "Happiness is the only thing we can give without having" ( Izan gabe eman dezakegun gauza bakarra da zoriona). 4 • FOLKLORE Through centuries of storytelling, the Basques have evolved a rich and colorful mythology. In ancient times their land was supposed to have been peopled by a race of giants called jentillak. These giants lived side by side with human inhabitants until the coming of Christ. At that time they disappeared, leaving behind only one of their number named Olentzero .

Today, Olentzero is a sort of folk icon or mascot who appears in the form of dolls and straw figures in processions, homes, and sometimes even churches. The laminak were female sprites, similar to leprechauns, who could wield either a helpful or harmful influence. Basque folklore also encompasses various rituals and dances. The Katcha-Ranka is a dance performed in fishing villages. A person representing St. Peter is carried in a coffin through the village and to the water-front. Dancers then symbolically beat him as a threat to ensure a good catch when they go out fishing. 5 • RELIGION Almost all Basques are Roman Catholic. Traditionally, an unusually high percentage chose to become priests or nuns. However, this number has fallen since the Second Vatican Council (1962), as has church attendance in general. Two of the Church's most renowned theologians, St. Francis Xavier and St. Ignatius Loyola (founder of the Jesuit order) were of Basque origin. Basque Catholicism, like that in many other areas of Spain, is characterized by a strong devotion to the Virgin Mary.

6 • MAJOR HOLIDAYS As elsewhere in Spain, most Basque holidays are those found in the Christian calendar. Special religious observances include St. Joseph the Workman's Day in May, and St. John of Compostela Day in August. In addition, villages celebrate their own festivals with performances by folk musicians, dancers, and bertsolariak, traditional singer/storytellers who can improvise and sing rhymes on any topic. The famous running of the bulls in celebration of San Fermín takes place every year in the Basque town of Pamplona. Every day for a week, six bulls are let loose in the streets to run to the bullfighting stadium. Crowds of white-clad young men dare fate by running ahead of the bulls and swatting them with rolled-up newspapers. 7 • RITES OF PASSAGE Besides baptism, First Communion, and marriage, military service could be considered a rite of passage for Basques as it is for most Spaniards. The first three of these events are the occasion, in most cases, for big and expensive social gatherings in which the family shows its generosity and economic status.

Quintos, the young men from the same town or village going into the military in the same year, form a closely knit group that collects money from their neighbors to organize parties and serenade girls. In the mid-1990s, the period of required military service had been greatly reduced, and the government planned to replace required military service with a voluntary Army. 8 • RELATIONSHIPS A special relationship developed in rural communities where families often lived on individual farms in relative isolation. This was especially true with the nearest neighbor, called the lehen auzo, or "first neighbor." The role played by first neighbors sometimes even goes beyond that of blood relatives. The best man and chief bridesmaid at weddings are chosen from the household of the lehen auzo. In addition, its members are informed of a serious illness or impending death before the family's closest relatives are told. In an emergency, the lehen auzo temporarily takes over the running of the neighbor's farm. When there is a death in the family, custom traditionally requires that the lehen auzo be informed before the village bell tolls. The wider neighborhood, or auzoa, is also an important source of social support.

9 • LIVING CONDITIONS People in the rural regions of Basque country live in large, stone farm houses called baserriak (the plural of baserria ). They are often as high as three stories. Animals are kept on the ground floor, the family lives on the second floor, and hay and other crops are stored on the third. Baserriak may either be built at a distance from one another or located in clusters of about ten or twelve. In cities and towns, the Basques, like other Spanish urban dwellers, generally live in apartment buildings. 10 • FAMILY LIFE In rural areas, Basque households generally include either the maternal or paternal grandparents, as well as unmarried aunts or uncles. It is not uncommon for cousins, even first cousins, to marry. The most important concern for rural dwellers is the continuation of the family farm, or basseria. In every family, one son or daughter is designated from childhood as heir to the farm. When he or she gets married, ownership of the farm is transferred to the new couple as part of the wedding arrangements. All adults in the household participate in child-rearing. The whole family helps with the farm work, including children and grandparents, who assist with easier tasks.

In urban areas, the nuclear family (parents and children) is the norm, sometimes joined by an elderly grandparent or unmarried aunt. Families who can afford it may have a live-in nanny or servant. 11 • CLOTHING Basques wear modern Western-style clothing for both casual and formal occasions. The single most distinctive item of traditional Basque clothing—still worn throughout the country—is the flat, wide, black beret worn by Basque men. It is customary to dress in white and red during the Festival of San Fermín, which is the occasion for the traditional running of the bulls in Pamplona. 12 • FOOD The Basques are known for their excellent cuisine, much of which involves seafood. The Basque version of bouillabaisse, or fish stew, is called ttoro and includes mussels, crayfish, congers (eels), the head of a codfish, and three other kinds of fish. Other specialties include fresh tuna with tomatoes, garlic, and spices; txangurro (spider crab); and kokotchas, made with hake ( merluza— a type of fish), garlic, and parsley.

Gazpacho, a cold soup made with tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and olive oil, is common fare in all of Spain. Red peppers are a dietary staple and find their way into seafood sauces, chicken recipes, and omelettes. They are even strung across the walls of Basque houses as a decoration. Gateau Basque (Basque cake) is made from eggs, flour, sugar, and rum. A favorite national beverage is txakoli (also called txakolina ), a fruity, white wine produced in coastal areas, often in small family cellars. 13 • EDUCATION School for the Basques, as for other Spanish children, is free and required between the ages of six and fourteen. Many students then begin the three-year bachillerato (baccalaureate) course of study. They may then opt for either one year of college preparatory study or vocational training. About one-third of Spain's children are educated at private schools, many of them run by the Catholic Church. 14 • CULTURAL HERITAGE Traditional Basque plays known as pastorales, which possibly related to medieval mystery plays, are still performed at festivals.

In the fine arts, well-known Basques include writer and philosopher Miguel de Unamuno y Jugo, composer Maurice Ravel, and sculptor Eduardo Chillida. 15 • EMPLOYMENT About 20 percent of the Basque population is engaged in agriculture. The traditional farm holding, or basseria, is a family enterprise in which each household raises its own crops (corn, wheat, and vegetables) and livestock (chickens, pigs, cows, and sheep). However, certain resources, including pasture lands and fuel wood, are held in common by each village. Basque herders still follow the seasonal patterns of their ancestors. They move herds of sheep, cows, and goats up to mountain pasture lands from June to October while their wives take charge of the family farm. Fishing, a significant Basque industry, is undergoing modernization. However, one can still see women on the docks of fishing villages repairing nets with needles and thread. The Basque country has long been known as a center of Spanish industry, especially the city of Bilbao. The region's history as the nation's iron and steel capital has led to the development of automobile and machine tool manufacturing. Shipbuilding is another profitable industry.

16 • SPORTS The Basque national game is pelote, a game like handball or squash played at very high speeds. The game has been played for centuries in an outdoor court called a frontón, which often shares a wall with the village church. Today, it is also played in indoor courts as well. The fastest form of pelote, called cesta punta, is played on an outdoor court with a second wall called a jai-alai (a term that has come to designate the game itself in countries throughout the world as its popularity has grown). Another competitive sport popular among the Basques is rowing. Every fishing village has a thirteen-member team, and thousands attend the annual rowing championship at San Sebastián. One of the most prized attributes among the Basques has historically been physical strength. This is displayed in the traditional Basque sports of stone-lifting (harrijasotzaileak) and log-chopping (aizkolariak). 17 • RECREATION Like other people throughout Spain, the Basques spend many leisure hours socializing with friends at tapas bars, which serve light food and drinks.

They also enjoy each other's company at the more than 1,500 gourmet societies, or txokos, in their region. These are private dining clubs that were formerly male-only but now welcome women (although men still tend to do the cooking). Television is a popular form of relaxation. Spain has a private television station (TV Vasca) that broadcasts in the Basque language. El mus is a popular Basque card game. 18 • CRAFTS AND HOBBIES The traditional Basque decorative arts consist primarily of woodcarving and engraving on stone. Both are practiced mainly on door lintels (upper frames) and tombstones. The Basques have a well-developed tradition of oral storytelling, which was one of their main forms of entertainment before urbanization (and television). Basques would often invite their neighbors over for an evening of tale-spinning. Basque folk music is sung and played on traditional instruments including the txistu, a three-holed flute, and the bagpipe-like dultzaina . Dozens of folk dances have been preserved, and many villages have folk-dance groups that perform regularly.

Two especially spirited dances are the Bolant Dantza (flying dance) and La Espata Dantza (sword dance). 19 • SOCIAL PROBLEMS The iron, steel, chemical, and paper industries of the Basque region have created a serious pollution problem in its cities. Motor vehicle emissions have made the situation even worse. There is considerable river pollution as well. Bilbao's metals industries must deal with outmoded facilities and increased competition from the European Community (EC). In 1994, the city's unemployment rate climbed to 27 percent. Clashes between ETA separatists and Spanish forces have left more than 600 dead in the past three decades. 20 • BIBLIOGRAPHY Collins, Roger. Basques. London, England: Basil Blackwell, 1990. Facaros, Dana, and Michael Pauls. Northern Spain. London, England: Cadogan Books, 1996. Westwood, Webster. Basque Legends. New York: AMS Press, 1977.

WEBSITES Basque Country Travel Guide | Spanish Fiestas Basque Country Travel Guide Tweet The Basque Country, or País Vasco, comprises of three provinces in the north eastern corner of Spain, bordering France and Navarra in the east, Cantabria and Castilla y León in the west and La Rioja in the south. The northern coastline of the Basque Country lies in the Bay of Biscay on the Cantabrian Sea. The three provinces are Guipúzcoa, Alava and Vizcaya, centred around the cities of Vitoria, Bilbao and San Sebastián. Perhaps surprisingly to some, the capital of the community is Vitoria, although it is only just over half the size of the somewhat better known Bilbao. Scenery of País Vasco Playa de la Concha Geographically the coastal region of the Basque country is stunning with many spectacular, sheer cliffs, pretty fishing harbours and some of the very best beaches in the whole of Spain. The area in this Atlantic coastal region is fairly mountainous as the Pyrenees almost reach the sea.

Despite this, however, the mountains here are of generally low altitude – the highest peak in the Basque Country being at Aizkorri at just 1544 metres. In the south of the region is the Ebro valley, sometimes referred to as the Rioja Alavesa as Rioja wine is produced here as well as in the region of that name. There are three distinct climatic zones in the Basque Country. The northern stretch of land overlooking the Bay of Biscay has a distinct Oceanic climate, resulting in moderate temperatures throughout the year and quite a lot of rain – about 1200 mm annually. The Ebro valley, on the other hand, has a Continental Mediterranean climate with very hot and dry summers and cold, dry winters. The majority of the rainfall here, which can be as low as 300mm a year, falls in the spring and autumn. The more mountainous area between two is influenced by both sets of climatic conditions, experiencing dry, warm summers but snowy, cold winters. Not surprisingly most tourism is during the summer months.

Map of the Basque Country Basque Country Independence Basque people, and the rest of the Spanish as well, for that matter, will tell you that Basque people are not really Spanish; and they certainly often appear to be very different. They tend to be much larger people, much fairer skinned, many of them even have blue eyes and they tend to have high foreheads. They certainly don’t look typically Mediterranean. The Basques think of themselves as the true, original Europeans, Cro-Magnons, but we do know that they have been occupying this particular corner of Europe since times far in advance of the Romans. During recorded history, the Basques have earned a reputation as fierce fighters – even Cervantes in Don Quijote acknowledges the fact – and the armies of the Romans, Vikings, Visigoths and Muslims never succeeded in wholly subjugating the area. Basque sailors earned themselves a great reputation, as they travelled vast distances searching for whales and fish, and then formed a significant proportion of Columbus’ crews on his travels. They have also been devotedly Catholic, with the Jesuit order established in the sixteenth century by the Basque, Ignatius Loyola.

During the Spanish Civil War , the Basques were some of Franco’s most committed opponents, especially the famous Dolores Ibárruri, La Pasionaria, famous for her inspiring communist speeches. Franco punished the region for its opposition – notably during the war at Guernika, of course, when the town was bombed by his German allies, but after the war as well. Euskera, the Basque language, was abolished in public spaces, Vizcaya and Guipúzcoa were declared ‘traitor provinces’ and there was negligible economic development of the area. During the 1950s the desire for a Basque ‘homeland’ began to grow in the wake of the unsympathetic nature of the Madrid government, which culminated in 1961 with the formation of the terrorist organization ETA – standing for Basque Homeland and Freedom. Even the development of Autonomous Communities in 1978 has not appeased all of the Nationalists – the referendum to endorse the legislation was passed here but the abstention rate was by far the greatest in the country. There remains a significant section of the community that remains committed to the idea of independence from Spain.

Basque Language … Linguistically it is estimated that about 30% of the Basque population speak Euskera, the Basque language, and more than 90% of all schoolchildren are taught it in school. Unlike Catalan, Euskera has little in common with either Spanish or French, mainly because it is not one of the Romance languages. It predates all of the Indo-European languages, although until relatively recently it was predominantly a spoken language only. It is reckoned that the first Euskeran language texts were not written until less than 500 years ago. As you travel around the Basque country, all signs and place names will be in both languages but the people you encounter will also speak Spanish. Whilst chatting with some locals in a bar recently before an Athletic Bilbao football match I asked why more people didn’t speak Basque. The reason I was told is because it’s too hard! Basque Economy … Economically this is one of the wealthier areas of Spain, managing to survive the decline in the shipbuilding and steel industries in the 1980s. There is still considerable engineering carried out here – in aviation, rolling stock and the building of wind turbines.

Increasingly, however, new technologies, tourism and the financial and service sectors have come to the fore; including the BBVA bank, now one of Spain’s largest. Although fishing and agriculture still have their part to play, they are no longer of the importance they formerly were. Basque Country Tourism Bilbao Airport There are three airports in the Basque Country – Bilbao, San Sebastian and Vitoria, all of which have internal flight arrivals from Madrid and Barcelona. Whilst schedules do change I believe the only international flights at the time of writing are to Bilbao. The rail network in the region is well developed, with RENFE linking the major cities with the rest of central Spain and France. The major road links consist of the A1, linking with central Spain; the AP8, linking with France and the AP68, linking with the Mediterranean. Bilbao is the major seaport of the region, with regular ferry crossings each week from Portsmouth with Britanny Ferries and it is also now a regular calling place for cruise ships.

Guggenheim Museum Casco Viejo – Old Town of Bilbao The three provincial capitals, Bilbao, San Sebastián and Vitoria, are the major tourist destinations and they are all eminently worthy cities in their own right: Bilbao … The transformation of the old industrial city of Bilbao has largely been thanks to the inspired decision to locate the Guggenheim Museum there. Its success has turned Bilbao into a popular short break destination. The museum itself, irrespective of its contents, is a very special building, although often very busy. For lovers of more classical Spanish and world art, the Museo de Bellas Artes, a two minute walk away, has a highly impressive permanent collection. Like so many cities, the old town of Bilbao, with its atmospheric bars and buildings, is a fabulous place to wander around. Vitoria … Much the same can be said about the casco viejo centre of Vitoria but, as this is an important university centre, the nightlife tends to attract a younger crowd than the more touristy Bilbao. Many motorists who have visited the region will have been confused by roadsigns giving directions for Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Vitoria is the Spanish name for the city whilst Gasteiz is the Basque name. San Sebastian … San Sebastián, with its mightily impressive crescent beach, La Concha, is steeped in Basque tradition and fiercely independent, whilst also inviting visitors, who often compare it with its French counterpart, Biarritz. Although these three cities attract the greatest numbers of visitors, there are smaller places in the Basque Country which offer very differing experiences. Many people are attracted to the small country town of Guernica, which was known as the birthplace of Basque Parliamentarianism until, one Monday in April 1937, it became infamous for being the town Hitler’s bombers blitzed at Franco’s request. There is a museum in the centre of town which gives a horrifying portrayal of the events that inspired Picasso’s nightmarish and probably most famous painting . Very different are the surfing hotspots of Zarautz and Mundaka, the delightful fishing port at Lekeitio and the beautiful little wine-growing town of Laguardia. What to do in the Basque Country It is tempting to say that the most popular tourist activity in the Basque Country should be eating.

Many places in Spain like to claim that they have the best food in the country but any impartial judgement would surely award the honour to this region. There were, at my last count, 26 Michelin Stars awarded to restaurants here so this is the home of many of Spain’s most famous international restaurants and chefs. These top eating places are only the summit of a very impressive array of restaurants appealing to all tastes and price ranges. The Basque Country is also home of the famous Gastronomic Societies, and if you can obtain an invitation to eat at one of these, it would be truly memorable. Basque Food … Basque specialties to keep an eye open for include the salt cod stew, bacalao al pil pil; baby squid cooked in its own ink, chipirones en su tinta; enormous beef steaks and chops; and the Basque version of tapas, pinchos or pintxos. The best Basque wine is Txakoli, a fairly robust white wine, best drunk when it is still quite young. There are some fine ciders available, and it is worth keeping an eye open for Cider Houses, where you can often get great value meals accompanied by different ciders.

Tourist Attractions … The cultural triangle between Bilbao, Vitoria and San Sebastián, all within easy reach of each other, offers a plethora of impressive museums, galleries and architectural glories. Typical Tapas Bar Michelin Star Restaurants Basque Sport … For sporting enthusiasts, surfing and cycling are very popular here, along with the rather more esoteric and localised activities such as Pelota Vasca, a kind of mixture of fives, squash and handball. Football fans will be well aware of the famous Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad clubs. Getting tickets for games is usually quite straightforward except for the local derbies between them. Wine Tours … In the Alava town of Elciego there is the distinctive Marqués de Riscal Winery, designed by Frank Gerhy who also created the Guggenheim, and the wine route through the Basque country includes some other very innovative cellars, such as the one at Laguardia designed by Santiago Calatrava. Festivals in the Basque Country There are some unusual and entertaining festivals in the Basque Country held throughout the year.

At the beginning of December, for example, in Vitoria you can attend, along with about 200,000 others, the Ardoaraba Wine Festival. Also held in Vitoria is the Festival of La Bulsa, a smock worn on festive occasions by young men. Sometimes known as Garlic Day, this is not for those who don’t appreciate the smell or the taste of garlic everywhere. San Sebastián has a spectacular Tamborrada, or Drum Procession, in January each year, in which just under a hundred different groups of drummers march around the streets and then continue ‘performing’ until the early hours in the bars of the town. Aste Nagusia (Semana Grande) is the regions biggest annual festival when many events are organised to celebrate the rich Basque culture. One of the most popular events during this period are the Fishing Boat Regattas which take place off Playa de La Concha in San Sebastian. Other more San Sebastian during the summer months make it a great place to visit. If you’re interested in a private tour of the Basque Country or anywhere else in Spain for that matter just fill in the tour enquiry form and we’ll help you set it up.

These tours don’t come cheap but they’re a great way to see the country with your own English speaking driver and private tour guide wherever go. Top notch accommodation will also be included in your itinerary ensuring your tour of Spain is the trip of a lifetime. Have You Been to the Basque Country? If you’ve visited Bilbao and San Sebastian or toured this spectacular region of Spain you must have some great memories. Any recommendations that you think might be useful for our readers would be most welcome in the comments section below. Walking in Basque Country Walking in Basque Country The Basque Country (Euskadi, in the native tongue) is located in the north east corner of Spain and its Atlantic coast meets up with southern France. Pias Vasco, the Spanish name for the region has played a key role in Spanish history and its political past. The many castles in the area give you an idea of its importance in the Middles ages and the many conflicts of that this region experienced at that time. The Basques language and culture dates back to ancient times and they are very proud of this heritage.

The main mountain range in the area which offers a wealth of walking opportunities is the Basque Mountains They are in the northern Iberian Peninsula and run through the whole region. It sits between the westerly Cantabrian mountains and the eastern Pyrenees. Within these mountains is the Urkiola range which lies in Biscay, near Durango and forms Atlantic and Mediterranean basins' water divide. You will be able to observe the evidence of this geological wonder as you walk and explore this range. There are several possibilities for the more experienced walker to undertake a more challenging walks here. Pais Vasco as a region has a mild climate ideal for walking and it rarely experiences drastic temperature or weather changes. Geologically the western stretch of the Pyrenees splits the region into two quite separate climates. With the northern area experiencing more rain and its industrial and commercial activity has created the cities of this land over looking the bay of Biscay. In the southern half it is more agricultural with small villages dotted around the landscape. The Ebro river carries away the rains and creates fertile wide open spaces. Airports The main airport of the region is Bilbao and is serviced by a wide variety of European airlines.

The smaller airport just outside the city of Vitoira-Gasteiz has a few main airlines that fly into it, mainly Ryanair and Iberia airways. Bilbao Vitoira-Gasteiz Ferry Port There is also the possibility of catching one of the regular ferries to Bilbao from Portsmouth. Bilbao The region is divide into three provinces, each has a Basque and a Spanish name, which are listed respectively. On the north westerly coast is the province Bizkaia (Vizcava) with its capital city Bilbao. To the north east is Gipuzkoa (Guipuzcoa) with Donostia or San Sebastian in Spanish as its capital. Finally, in the south Vitoria-Gasteiz is the capital of Araba (Alava) province. Vitoria-Gasteiz Is the capital of Euskadi, Basque Country and is a wonderful city to visit with its wealth of historical and cultural artefacts. You can start at the old medieval quarter where you can see the 9th century tower, a Gothic hall and the fortified house and tower, Torre de los Anda.

The walls of this famous city were built in the 13th century and as you walk around you can admire the quality of their construction. The city's Gothic style cathedral, Santa Maria was completed in the 14th century and its triple Gothic portico is of particular interest. To fully appreciate the historical significance of the area you must visit the Archaeological museum. To escape the bustling streets you can visit and relax in the wonderful Parque de la Florida by one of its streams tucked away in one of its numerous copses. Walking Around Bilbao The industrial city of Bilbao lies between to smaller ranges of mountains, Mount Artxanda and Pagasarri. On the eastern side of the river is the old quarter which is best explored on foot. Its 14th century cathedral and its 16th century church at the top of a flight of 64 steps are a must to see. You can easily walk over one of the many connecting bridges to the more modern side of the city and see its controversial and weirdly shaped Guggenheim Museum. Only a short drive away is the magnificently restored castle Butron.

It was built in the 13th century and its surrounding parkland has over 70 different types of trees. Walking in Donostia San Sebastian This elegant city is encircled by wooded mountains and lies on the Bay of Biscay. Many visitors love to walk around the harbour watching the fishing boats bring in their catch and gaze at the array of pleasure boats and yachts. You can also explore the fascinating Naval museum and Aquarium. The harbour opens out into Parte Vieja, the old quarter of the city, which is characterised by its narrow lively streets and bars. The Plaza de la Constitucion was once used as a bullring but now a vibrant square and the city's cathedral, Santa maria del Coro are sights to see. Many of the Spanish visit Donostia in the summer to escape the heat of central Spain and to enjoy its famous and elegant beaches. Click here for a list of companies offering Walking Holidays in Basque Country Bilbao - the heart of the Basque Country - Travel and Visit testdata June 27, 2012 0 Comments While the Mediterranean coast of Spain is quite widely known and popular, the Atlantic coast remains somewhat neglected.

The reason is quite clear, the water is cold, there are large waves and strong winds. If you want just to relax at the sea, then it’s not an ideal place for your vacation. But the wild beauty of rugged cliffs, quaint fishing villages, and generally a bit special character of the landscape can be really interesting and charming for those who want to know more than just beaches in the Southern European countries . North coast of Spain is washed by deep, cold and turbulent waters of the Bay of Biscay. Basque Country can be found near the border with France formed by the Pyrenees Mountains. It is an autonomous, quirky and unique region. Also the local language is unique. Basque language does not belong to any language group, and is totally different from Spanish, French or any other popular language. It is considered a language isolate (that is, not known to be related to any other language of the world). The origin of Basque language and the Basques themselves is still not very clear. This is why you can hear about the Basques that they have extraterrestrial origins. Some linguistic analysis hinted that the Basque language is similar to Burushaski language spoken by tribes from the Karakoram mountain range in northern Pakistan.

But at least one thing is certain – the Basques are a unique nation and therefore require independence from Spain. One of the major Basque cities is Bilbao, the administrative center of one of the three Basque provinces and one of the most industrialized urban areas. Photo by paula soler-moya Vizcaya Bridge Bilbao was founded in the year 1300 on the site of the original fishing village. Although it has never reached the fame of better-known Spanish cities, gradually grew up and developed. Probably the best known and most visited “monument” is a completely modern. It is the Guggenheim Museum, designed by U.S. based architect Frank Gehry. This strange building resembles a bit like a battleship from the distance. It was opened to the public in 1997 and became a leading architectural representative of a direction called deconstructivism. Museum displays mainly the art of the 20th century and includes also various thematic exhibitions. Another city’s attraction, Vizcaya Bridge, is a little older. The bridge over the estuary of the river Nervión is one of the symbols of the region already for over 100 years.

Originally it was a part of Portugalete town, but this town practically grew together with Bilbao. It was opened in 1893 and its only function was not just to connect the two banks of the river, but also not to obstruct the navigation of large ships. Its designer Alberto Palacio, a student of the famous Gustave Eiffel, therefore chose an unconventional solution – gondola bridge. The bridge is 164 metres long and high enough to allow giant cargo ships to flow under it. Gondola can transport up to six cars and dozens of passengers. It runs relatively low over the water, it takes a minute and a half to move from one bank to another and runs every 8 minutes. On the 13th July 2006, this remarkable structure has been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Alava | province, Spain | Britannica.com province, Spain Guipúzcoa Álava, provincia, northern Spain . Álava is the southernmost of the three Basque Country provincias of northern Spain and is located mainly on the southern slope of the Pyrenees Range.

It is bounded by the Ebro River (southwest) and surrounds the enclaves of Treviño and Orduña belonging to Burgos and Vizcaya provincias, respectively. Formerly a lordship, it was incorporated into Castile in 1332. With Guipúzcoa and Vizcaya, it became one of the three component provincias of the Basque Country comunidad autónoma (autonomous community) in 1980. Vitoria-Gasteiz, Álava province, Spain. Ardo Beltz The provincia consists of three distinct regions. In the northern woodlands sector, interspersed with isolated farms, lakes, and the valleys of the Urquiola, Bayas, and Omecillo rivers, the production of corn (maize) is the chief economic activity. The central heartland, as the Basque name Álava (araiiar, “set among the mountains”) implies, is an intermontane basin (of about 1,500 feet [460 metres] elevation) called the Vitoria Plain.

Chief crops cultivated on the plains area are wheat, barley, and oats; sugar beets predominate around the provincial capital, Vitoria . The southern Álavese Rioja, separated from the Vitoria Plain by the Cantabrian and Toloño mountains, is known for its vineyards, orchards, and olive groves. Industry (powered by mostly hydroelectric dams) is concentrated in Vitoria. Area 1,176 square miles (3,047 square km). Pop. (2008 est.) 309,635. Learn More in these related articles:

Question: The Basque country is centred mainly around which mountain range?
Answer: Pyrenees