The Southern Basque Country (Basque: Hegoalde or Hego Euskal Herria; Spanish: Hegoalde, País Vasco y Navarra or País Vasco peninsular) is a term used to refer to the Basque territories within Spain as a unified whole.
It does not exist as a political unit but includes the three provinces (Álava, Biscay, Gipuzkoa) and two enclaves (Enclave of Treviño and Valle de Villaverde) of the Basque Autonomous Community in the west, as well as the Chartered Community of Navarre to the east.
The historically Basque 4 provinces on Spanish soil had a status of self-empowerment up to the 2nd Carlist War in the late 19th century (Charters abolished). A political stir ensued and failed attempts were made to re-establish a new single political status for the Basque territories in Spain (Statute of Estella, 1932). After Franco's death, this possibility was again explored and provided for in the late 1970s, but strong political objections both in the Spanish establishment and Navarre (Unión del Pueblo Navarro party founded, swing in Spanish Socialist Workers' Party's position) drew the project to a stalemate.
Spanish Basque Country can refer to this same territory, but is ambiguous as it may or may not include Navarre; whereas the Basque-derived term "Southern Basque Country" invariably includes Navarre and the enclaves.
Read more about Southern Basque Country: See Also
Famous quotes containing the words southern and/or country:
“As it grew darker, I was startled by the honking of geese flying low over the woods, like weary travellers getting in late from Southern lakes, and indulging at last in unrestrained complaint and mutual consolation. Standing at my door, I could hear the rush of their wings; when, driving toward my house, they suddenly spied my light, and with hushed clamor wheeled and settled in the pond. So I came in, and shut the door, and passed my first spring night in the woods.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“In this country ... men seem to live for action as long as they can and sink into apathy when they retire.”
—Charles Francis Adams, Sr. (1807–1886)