Basques, Today


Book Description

Ramón Zallo offers us with this informative book an overall synthesis of Basque culture, society and history. Thanks to its contents it may be destined to become a road map for understanding some keys about the country of the Basques. The author starts from a broad concept of Basque culture which, while it is not very well known, is proportionally very rich for such a small country. He conceives it as a whole culture and as having a history of its own, although it is very closely related to its surroundings. And its trajectory indicates the need to prioritize its development and singularity in this global world full of uncertainty. In Part One he traces (and vindicates) the cultural and spatial idea of Euskal Herria, and briefly describes its history, society and characteristics, its economic evolution and the political systems of Euskadi, Navarra and Iparralde. He presents a society with deeply-rooted values and a very dense civil society that now needs to review, without amnesia, the tragedies and disappointments of recent years. In Part Two he offers a new vision of each one of the various branches of culture. Giving Euskara the attention that it deserves as the most specific defining trait, the book offers an added dimension through an updated look at the styles, works and names within architecture, the visual, theatre and musical arts, Basque literature in Euskara and Spanish and the different types of heritage.It ends with a gallery of historical and contemporary figures that demonstrate the country’s diversity. Its method is descriptive, orderly and not overly interpretative. Interpretation is left to the reader.




The Basque Country


Book Description

The Basque Country is a land of fascinating paradoxes and enigmas. Home to one of Europe's oldest peoples and most mysterious languages, with a living folklore rich in archaic rituals and dances, it also boasts a dynamic post-modern energy, with the reinvention of Bilbao creating a model for the twenty-first-century city of cultural services and information technologies. Hugging the elbow of the Bay of Biscay on both the French and Spanish sides of the Pyrenees, this small territory abounds in big contrasts, ranging from moist green valleys to semi-desert badlands, from snowy sierras to sandy beaches, from harsh industrial landscapes to bucolic beech woods. This often idyllic scenery is the stage for fierce political passions. Almost every aspect of the Basque Country generates passionate disagreement, even its precise location. Spanish and French centralism, often authoritarian and sometimes brutal, has met with resistance for two centuries. Most recently and notoriously ETA, a terrorist group with deep popular support, has engaged in a bloody 45-year conflict. But many Basques consider themselves full French or Spanish citizens, and fear political and linguistic exclusion under Basque nationalist rule.




The Basques of Reno and the Northeastern Sierra


Book Description

Thanks to DNA research, the Basques of the Pyrenees Mountains are no longer the "mystery people." Thirty-five thousand years ago, they traveled from Central Asia to Western Europe, where they still live, speaking a language unlike any other. After helping Columbus discover America, Basques spread out from the Pampas to California and beyond into the Sierra and Reno, Nevada. For a century, they were the sheepherders of the West and documented their lives in a prehistoric manner on trees. Now settled in towns, they celebrate their heritage every year with colorful costumes, dancing, weight lifting, wood chopping, and hearty food that endures in their popular restaurants.




The Basques


Book Description

The Basques are an ethnic group indigenous to Southwestern Europe, distinguished by their unique genetic heritage, ancient language (Euskara), and distinct cultural practices. Their homeland, known as the Basque Country (Euskal Herria), spans both sides of the Pyrenees, covering areas in north-central Spain and southwestern France, and lies along the Bay of Biscay. Basque identity traces back to ancient populations, such as the Vascones and Aquitanians, resulting in a rich and enduring cultural legacy that remains highly distinctive even today. In recent years, advances in genetic research have provided remarkable insights into Basque origins. A pivotal study published in 2015 revealed that the Basques are primarily descended from Neolithic farmers who arrived in the Iberian Peninsula thousands of years ago. These early agriculturalists intermingled with the local Mesolithic hunter-gatherers in the region but later became genetically isolated, diverging significantly from other European populations over millennia. This long-standing genetic isolation has likely contributed to the unique characteristics of the Basque people and their differentiation from surrounding groups.




Nation Shapes


Book Description

This book provides a concise and comprehensive description of all of the borders of every country in the contemporary world, including physical boundaries, their historical evolution, and border-related conflicts with other countries. Nation Shapes: The Story behind the World's Borders examines the importance of country boundaries, the disconnects between these borders, related factors such as cultures, religions, and economies, and how conflicts over boundaries between neighboring countries are articulated. The book is organized geographically and by region of the world: the Americas, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, East and Southeast Asia, and Australia and Oceania. It provides comprehensive descriptions of the boundaries of each country in the world, the historical evolution of these boundaries, and current and potential future boundary disputes and conflicts. While the work contains an entry for each country, the emphasis is on countries of major importance in the modern global economy.




Linguae Vasconum Primitiae


Book Description

"Modern translation and original Basque version of the first book printed in the Basque language in Baiona in 1545."--Provided by publisher.




Idaho Off the Beaten Path®


Book Description

Idaho Off the Beaten Path features the things travelers and locals want to see and experience––if only they knew about them. From the best in local dining to quirky cultural tidbits to hidden attractions, unique finds, and unusual locales, Idaho Off the Beaten Path takes the reader down the road less traveled and reveals a side of Idaho that other guidebooks just don't offer.




The History of Basque


Book Description

Basque is the sole survivor of the very ancient languages of Western Europe. This book, written by an internationally renowned specialist in Basque, provides a comprehensive survey of all that is known about the prehistory of the language, including pronunciation, the grammar and the vocabulary. It also provides a long critical evaluation of the search for its relatives, as well as a thumbnail sketch of the language, a summary of its typological features, an external history and an extensive bibliography.







Rick Steves Spain 2020


Book Description

Savor authentic paella, run with the bulls in Pamplona, or relax on Barcelona's beaches: experience Spain with Rick Steves! Inside Rick Steves Spain 2020 you'll find: Comprehensive coverage for planning a multi-week trip to Spain Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites Top sights and hidden gems, from El Escorial and the great mosque of Córdoba to medieval bars serving house-made madroño liqueur How to connect with local culture: Enjoy a flamenco show in Madrid, chat with fans about the latest fútbol match, or meander down winding streets in search of the best tapas Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight The best places to eat, sleep, and relax with a glass of sangria Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and incredible museums Vital trip-planning tools, like how to link destinations, build your itinerary, and get from place to place Detailed maps, plus a fold-out map for exploring on the go Useful resources including a packing list, Spanish phrase book, a historical overview, and recommended reading Over 1,000 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down Annually updated information on Barcelona, Basque Country, Bilbao, Santiago de Compostela, León, Salamanca, Madrid, El Escorial, the Valley of the Fallen, Segovia, Toledo, Granada, Sevilla, Córdoba, Andalucía, Spain's Southern Coast, Gibraltar, Morocco, and more Make the most of every day and every dollar with Rick Steves Spain 2020. Planning a one- to two-week trip? Check out Rick Steves Best of Spain.