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Archaeological and ethnographic findings indicate that Basque
[people] evolved from Cro-Magnon [...] in this area over a
period dating from about 40,000 years ago until distinct
features were acquired approximately 7,000 years ago. Two
thousand years later the sheep, not native to these lands, was
introduced and horse and cattle farming came into being, as
shown by Adolf Staffe. These circumstances made it necessary for
the people to travel periodically and cultural contacts were
thus made.
This
period in the history of the Basque people can only make sense
if it is studied in conjunction with the cultures of the
surrounding areas, in the basin of the River Ebro and the region
of Aquitaine. ... |
The Basque Country is located in the south-west
of Europe, lying between rivers Aturri to the north and the Ebro
to the south. It can be divided into two great watersheds: the
Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The mountain chains of the
Pyrenees, Aralar, Aizkorri and Gorbeia form a dividing line
between the two. The climatic variation, in turn, gives rise to
significant differences in scenery, mountains, valleys, plains
and so on, and the Atlantic part has a coastline... |
Given the geographic characteristics we have just
outlined, the primary sector has always been of great importance
in the Basque Country.
Fishing and agriculture are activities with a very long
tradition, although much of the vibrancy of this sector has now
been lost.
However, it is the industrial sector that is the motor of the
economy of the Basque Country – and has been for some time now –
especially in the South (the peninsular Basque Country.
The importance of cooperative enterprises in the Basque economy
should also be pointed out as they are a unique example of
symbiosis between work and business.
Besides industry, the services sector is the most important in
the Basque economy. This sector is precisely that has grown
sharply in the last decade of the XX century.
The financial sector (also with a long tradition), business
services, retail business and tourism are the other pillars of
our economy. ...
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