Navarre

views updated

Navarre Autonomous region and ancient kingdom in n Spain, stretching from the River Ebro to the w Pyrenees border; the capital is Pamplona. For 400 years, the Kingdom of Navarre fended off successive invasions by the Visigoths, Arabs, and Franks. In 1512 Ferdinand II of Aragon annexed s Navarre. The n part was incorporated as French crown land in 1589. The Spanish region has historically maintained semi-autonomous status. It is a mountainous, agricultural region producing cattle, grapes, timber, cereals, vegetables, and sugar beet. Area: 10,421sq km (4023sq mi). Pop. (2000) 543,800.

More From encyclopedia.com