Basques
Basques Indigenous people of the w Pyrenees in n Spain and sw France, numbering c.3,900,000. Their language is not related to any other European tongue. Throughout history they have tenaciously maintained their cultural identity. The kingdom of Navarre, which existed for 350 years, was home to most of the Basques. After its dissolution in 1512, most Spanish Basques enjoyed a degree of political autonomy. This autonomy was revoked in 1873, and Basque unrest followed. Some local autonomy was restored in 1978–79 Basque separatists (ETA) continued to agitate for an independent state. In 1998 ETA announced a cease-fire and opened negotiations with the Spanish government.
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Basques
