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As part of Ryan's school assignment from his teachers at Pathways Charter School, he was assigned to create a profile on the Spain's Basque Country where we are living for the next month. I thought it was interesting and informative so I wanted to include it as a featured guest post. What follows is Ryan's Country Profile.
September 17, 2024
PROFILE: Basque, Spain
By Ryan Jahns (age 12)
COMPLETE: Create a “profile” of the region: include the top three most populated cities, climate, language(s), exports, music, food, sports, and religion(s). What are some “points of interest” in the region? Is there a regional flag? At the end, cite all sources of information you used.
● Basque: A region in part of Spain and part of France
The Basque country is a mountainous region in a part of Spain and a part of France. It is very different from life in America just as it is different from life in Spain. Many Basque people are proud to be Basque and consider themselves Basque instead of Spanish or French. Many Basque people even want to become an independent country.
● Three most populated cities: Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz, and San Sebastián
Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz, and San Sebastian are the three most populated cities in the basque country. They are each in a sub-region of Basque country. Bilbao in the Bizkaia, Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Alava/Arava, and San Sebastian in the Gipuzkoa. Bilbao and San Sebastian both have coastlines while Vitoria-Gasteiz is all inland.
● Religion: Roman Catholic/Atheist
There are two religions in the Basque country; Roman Catholic and Atheist. Around 60% are Catholic, 24% are non-religious, and 12% are Atheist. All around Basque country you will see grand churches and towering cathedrals. The number of Roman Catholics has been decreasing. Mostly because of the youth. Many young people are becoming either non-believers or non-religious. Also, Islam is growing in Spain and soon might spread to parts of the Basque country.
● Language: Euskara/Spanish/French
Three different languages are spoken in the Basque country. Bassque or Euskara, Spanish and French. Euskara is a fascinating language and has almost no connection to any other language in the world. Scientists think it could even be the first language in Europe. Although, many scientists do think it has Indo-European influences. In small villages you may hear more Basque than Spanish or French, or it could be the opposite. But in major cities they usually speak more Spanish and French.
● Exports/Imports: Vehicles/iron + metals, Live animals/Energy products
There are many different exports and imports of the Basque country. Some exports include vehicles, iron, and metals. As of 2022, the Basque country exports brought in around 32,644,944€. Some imports include live animals, vegetables, and energy products. Also, as of 2022, the Basque country spent 29, 411,492€.
● Music: Modern rock, pop, and folk/classical
Basque music has evolved and modernized greatly in the past years. 1961 was the year things started changing. Around two hundred titles are released every year in the Basque country. Most rock and pop songs are sung in Euskara. As for classical music, some of the greatest composers were Basque. For example, Muarice Ravel was of Basque origin. Also, if you happen to take a walk through one of the Basque towns during a siesta, you might see a group of people practicing a traditional folk dance.
● Sports: Jai-alai/ Hand-ball
A major sport in the Basque country is Jai-alai. Jai-alai was actually created in the Basque region. Jai-alai is a fast paced game played with sleek wicker baskets. There are two teams on the field at a time. The teams trade off slinging a ball at a wall. Once the ball hits the wall the other team must pick it up with their basket and throw it at the wall before the ball bounces twice. The speed of this ball can go up to 180 MPH.
● Food: Pintxo
Pintxo is not a food, but a way of eating it. Pintxo is the name of many small dishes. It actually means "stabbed" in reference to the toothpicks that typically hold the various components of a pintxos together. For example, little sandwiches. If you want pintxo, you have to sit inside. If you want to eat outside, you will have a different meal. You will have three sections on your menu. An appetizer, a main meal, and dessert. You can choose one of each. Sometimes each section will have around five choices, but sometimes there will only be two.
● Geography/Vegetation: Mountainous, flat, many rivers/ very green
In the Basque region many towns are flat in the middle, but surrounded by mountains. There are three sub-regions in the Basque country, two of which have coastline, and one without. The bigger cities are usually all flat with little mountains and the small towns are surrounded by them. All of the mountains are covered in lush vegetation and tall trees. If you go on a hike (especially in the morning), you will see the morning dew on the plants and be enchanted by its beauty.
● Climate: Winter-cold/rainy, Summer-hot/little rain, Spring-warm, Fall-cool
The climate in the Basque region varies from month to month. In the winter it is in the mid to low fifties, and some mid forties (F). It also rains a lot. In the summer the temperature is high seventies/low eighties. There is some rain in the summer as well. Spring is warm with some rain, and Fall is cold with a lot of rain.
● Points of interest:
➢ Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao- Museum of modern art
➢ Beaches, San sebatian- beautiful beach and tourist attraction
➢ Museo Fournier de Naipes de Álava- Museum of playing cards
● Regional flag:
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