Euskara also has no known origin, and it is not related to any other Indo-European language, although it is thought to be a descendant of Aquitanian (a pre-Indo-European language).īasques have a long tradition of mobility far beyond their borders due to various political, economic, and social forces throughout history. Basques call themselves Euskaldunak, or “speakers of Euskara,” the Basque language. Some say the Basques are hasierak or “mystery people” of Europe because although their presence has been speculated since prehistoric times, their origin is largely unknown. Basque families have made a living in both agricultural and fishing traditions for many years. It is a small place, only about 125 miles wide (about the distance from Boise to Twin Falls, Idaho). The remainder live in the three northern French provinces of Lapurdi, Nafarroa Beherea, and Zuberoa. Ninety percent of all Basques live in the four Spanish provinces of Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa, Araba, and Nafarroa.
The Basque Country is comprised of seven provinces. The Basque homeland, Euskal Herria, is a region between France and Spain, near the Pyrenees Mountains and the Bay of Biscay.
