Regions of Spain: Basque Country

Basque District, Basque Country or Euskadi (PAIS VASCO, EUSKADI) – one of the most unusual historical regions not only Spain, but also all Western Europe. Lying in the north of the country, in the western spurs of the Pyrenees and the eastern part of the Cantabrian Mountains, this autonomous community is noticeably different from the rest of Spain both by ethnic composition and language and climate and the level of industry. Euskal Eria (Euskal Herria), as this land is called the Basque itself, includes three regions in its composition – directly the Basque Country itself (PAIS VASCO), the area of ​​the Gipuzko (Bizkaia), plus two extensive provinces inhabited by bars, In France and Navarre (the administrative latter is not included in the country of Basque). Basis for many centuries keep their ancient culture, which they in time immemorial brought from their historic homeland, the most likely location of which is considered the territory of modern Georgia (but it is only one of theories). Basque language – Euskar, or Euscker – is considered one of the oldest and mysterious in Europe, since the ancient word of Caucasian peoples, and later Iberian and Aquitan adventures of the Pyrenean Peninsula, and many terms that have no analogues in any of the well-known Languages ​​land. At the same time, the Basque language does not have a standard pronunciation (the number of govors is actually equal to the number of settlements), but the differences between dialects are small. All this together allows him to attribute it to a group of Pyranceo European languages, that is, formed long before the appearance of modern language space.

As mysteriously the origin and the Basque. Genetically, they are almost not connected with any of the modern peoples of the Mediterranean, which is easily traced even at the level of blood composition. Local traditions and customs, folk cuisine and especially – dance and song rites are equally distinct. At the same time, the mystery of the origin of this nation and its language is still not disclosed.

Despite the fact that this is the most industrially developed region of the peninsula (and therefore one of the richest), the nature of the inland areas of the Basque Country of the country is little affected by a person – tidy and quiet villages neighbor here with the turbulent vegetation of the mountains and the wild rocky coast, the transport system is developed perfectly, And the proximity of the border supports trade and tourism. All this allows you to attribute the country of Basque to one of the most interesting regions of Spain.

Bilbao City – the largest settlement and administrative center of the province of Biscayia, as well as one of the largest ports of the country.

15 km from the center of Bilbao to the north lies the popular beach area of ​​the district area (there is also "wild" The beach, and in the area of ​​Playa de Ametara there is a nudist region). 30 km south-east of Bilbao begin the lands of the Natural Park of Urikola, covering the slopes of the green mountain range Durangesado (the highest point – Mount Amboto, 1330 m).

Administrative center of the province of Hypuscan – the city of San Sebastian is located on the very northeast of the Basque Country, on the shore of La Cum Bay near the French border.

West San Sebastian begins the picturesque rocky coast of Costa Basque – the birthplace of hip wine "Chakoli" (TXAkoli) and the area of ​​many ancient cities. Hetary (Getaria) famous for the magnificent Church of San Salvador (XIV in.), the museum of Balenciagi (the famous designer was born in this city) and the phiesta Elkano (born here Juan Sebastian Elkano was the only member of the team of Magellan, who returned home after the famous worldwide). Sumy (Zumaia) – His beaches of Playa de Izurun and Playa Santiago. Near the city Supilia (Azpeitia, 16 km south of Sumy) is a grandiose basil WWW.SantuariodoLoyola.COM Sanctuario de Loyola (XVIII in.), built as a monument to Ignacio born in these parts (Inacio) Lopez de Loyole, more famous for St. Ignatius Lool (1491-1556.). V Markina Shemein (Markina-Xemein) is a Pelot Academy (Pelota – National Sports, a kind of variety of laptians), and in Sgorz-Bolivar (Ziortza-Bolivar) – Museum of Simon Bolivar, as well as a beautiful monastery and Romanesque church (XVI in.).

Estimated around San Sebastian land of the historical area of ​​the Hypuscane (the smallest in Spain) are the centuries-old center of the Basque language and culture. Here you can visit the medieval city Tolosa With his traditional carnival (Tolza is the only city of the country, where this traditional holiday, which made all the Basque traditions, was carried out even during the ban on the use of the Basque language introduced by the Dictator of Franco) and the extensive historical center, the picturesque mountain slopes of Sierra de Aralar and Sierra de Urkilla, Arannsas Monastery (XV-XX centuries.) – the main place of the pilgrimage of the Basque, the successful city Ordia with well-preserved historical center (XVI in.), famous for its old mansions village Segura, "Basque Toledo" – town Onti (75 km south of San Sebastian) with his wonderful baroque buildings, village Bera de Bidasoa With its unique stone buildings (XVI-XIX centuries.), as well as an open Museum of Sculptor Eduardo Chilide in Ernani (7 km south of San Sebastian).

The percussion of the tragic picture of Picasso Hernesta is the traditional center of Basque nationalism and separatism.

5 km from the city is the Paleolithic complex of Cueva de Santimamine caves, colorful village Omar with her "painted forest" (the work of the artist Augustine Ibarrolov), as well as lying a little west of the watershed of the Mundak, declared by UNESCO by the cultural and natural reserve of world importance (here is the most diverse set of ecosystems in the Basque Country and this submit for millions of migratory birds from all over Europe).

The official capital of Eusada and the province of Alava (Arab) – Vitoria, or Gasteis (Spanish Vitoria, Basque Gasteiz, officially – Vitoria-Gasteiz).