Navarre
a former kingdom of Europe, was established in 824 by the Basques
of Pamplone (Iruñea in Basque). Under the reign of Santxo
the Great (999-1035) most of the Basque-speaking territories were
consolidated - for the first and only time in their history - under
one political jurisdiction. Navarre fought more than 1,200 years
to remain independent but in 1512 was invaded and occupied by Castile.
The Navarrase monarchs sought refuge in northern Nabarra. Although
they called themselves "kings" of Navarre, only the rump of that
kingdom remained in their hands since Castile had conquered by force
the larger portion to the south. Northern Navarre was annexed
to the French crown in 1620. Castile transformed southern Navarre
into a viceroyalty and, in 1839, into another Spanish province.
Navarre
(Nafarroa in the Basque language) is divided between France and
Spain. It is composed of seven provinces: three in France, Behe-Nafarroa,
Lapurdi and Zuberoa and four in Spain, Araba, Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa.
The three northern territories in France are: Lapurdi, Behe-Nafarroa
(Lower-Navarre) and Zuberoa. Together with Bearn, they are part
of the Pyrenees Atlantiques department within the region of Aquitaine.
They are also known as Iparralde (northern Basque country).
The four southern territories in Spain are: Araba, Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa,
and the residual Nabarra. Araba, Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa are known as the
`Baskongadak,' and `Euskadi.'
After Franco's death, regional low autonomy was applied to the
entire Spanish state. The 1978 Spanish constitution established
a "Nation of Autonomous Regions" made up of 17 areas. The Baskongadak
and Navarre each were granted its own statute of autonomy. Baskongadak
adopted the name of Basque Autonomous Community (BAC), and Navarre
was given the name of Autonomous Community of Navarre (CAN).
