Basque Facts

The Basque are unique in all senses of the word. Their culture is filled with traditions and customs rich with history and pride. The land that they occupy and the towns they have created are a source of inspiration, moreover, admiration.

The Pyrenees and Atlantic Ocean

Located amongst the Pyrenees mountains and the Atlantic ocean, the Basque are settled in Northeast Spain and Southwest France. They are found within seven provinces, four in Spain and three in France: Aaba, Biscay, Gipuzkoa and Navarre in Spain and the Basse-Navare, Labourd and Soule in France. Collectively these provinces are known as the Basque Country (Euskadi in Basque).

Mythic tales and unique genetics

There are many mythical tales and legends shrouding the true origins of the Basque, however, modern science claims that the Basque population is genetically and culturally distinct. They are believed to be prehistoric inhabitants of Europe and quite possibly the direct descendents of Cro-Magnon man, who appeared in Europe and the Middle East some 36,000 years ago.

A mystic language

Their language, Euskara is proof of their uniqueness as well, as it is unrelated to any other Indo-European language...The most widely used dialect is Batua ('unified' in Basque), it is also referred to as Standard Basque.  This standardized dialect is often used in schools, and seen on TV, signs and maps.