The Basque People: Inhabitants of the Pyrenees Foothills in Spain and France

The Basques (Euskaldunak) are an ethnic group native to the western Pyrenees, straddling the border between northern Spain (Autonomous Communities of Basque Country and Navarre) and southwestern France (Northern Basque Country). They possess a unique, non-Indo-European language (Euskara) and a distinct cultural heritage that predates the arrival of Celtic and Romance peoples in the region. Historically, Basques were shepherds, whalers, and seafarers; today they maintain strong traditions in cuisine, sport (pelota), and dance, while enjoying significant political autonomy in Spain.