Introduction to Basque Country

The Basque Country stretches over two countries, North Spain and Southwestern France, and is bordered by the Bay of Biscay. The Basque Country is divided into three communities. Two of which are in Spain and one in France. In Spain there is the Basque Autonomous Community and the Autonomous Community of Navarre. In France there is the French Basque country. Each of these Communities have different provinces. The provinces included in the Spanish Basque community include Araba, Bizkaia (Biscay) and Gipuzkoa. The one province in the Autonomous Community of Navarre is Nafarroa (Navarre). The provinces included in the French Basque country include Lapurdi (Labourd) , Nafarroa Beherea (Lower Navarre) and Zuberoa (Soule).

The Basque country had a population of 2.193 million in 2012. The natives name the Basque Country Euskal Herria, and the Basques call themselves Euskaldunak. The Basque original language is Euskara, this language is isolated from all other languages. Euskara is a pre - Indo - European language that has been around for thousands of years. Today many Euskaldunak speak Spanish or French depending if they live in the Spain or France communities.

references:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basque_Country_(greater_region)