Navarre , Span. Navarra , province (1990 pop. 527,318), N Spain, bordering on France, between the W Pyrenees and the Ebro River. Pamplona is the capital. Land and Economy Navarre province forms the autonomous region of Navarra. The beautiful mountain slopes have extensive cattle pastures and vast forests that yield hardwoods, which are economically important. The fertile valleys produce sugar beets, cereals, and vegetables; vineyards are important in the Ebro valley. Hydroelectric energy and entrepreneurship have resulted in considerable industrialization since the 1950s. Manufactures include processed foods and metal parts. History The population of northern and western Navarre is largely of Basque stock, and the early history of the region is that of the Basques . The pass of Roncesvalles , which leads from France to Navarre, made the region strategically important early in its history. The Basques defended themselves successfully against the Moorish invaders as well as against the Franks; the domination of Charlemagne, who conquered Navarre in 778, was short-lived. In 824 the Basque chieftain Iñigo Aritza was chosen king of Pamplona, which was expanded under his successors and became known as the kingdom of Navarre. It reached its zenith under Sancho III (reigned 1000-1035), who married the heiress of Castile and ruled over nearly all of Christian Spain. On Sancho's death the Spanish kingdoms were again divided (into Navarre, Aragón, and Castile). The...
Navarre , Span. Navarra , province (1990 pop. 527,318), N Spain, bordering on France, between the W Pyrenees and the Ebro River. Pamplona is the capital. Land and Economy Navarre province forms the autonomous region of Navarra. The beautiful mountain slopes have extensive cattle pastures and vast forests that yield hardwoods, which are economically important. The fertile valleys produce sugar beets, cereals, and vegetables; vineyards are important in the Ebro valley. Hydroelectric energy and entrepreneurship have resulted in considerable industrialization since the 1950s. Manufactures include processed foods and metal parts. History The population of northern and western Navarre is largely of Basque stock, and the early history of the region is that of the Basques . The pass of Roncesvalles , which leads from France to Navarre, made the region strategically important early in its history. The Basques defended themselves successfully against the Moorish invaders as well as against the Franks; the domination of Charlemagne, who conquered Navarre in 778, was short-lived. In 824 the Basque chieftain Iñigo Aritza was chosen king of Pamplona, which was expanded under his successors and became known as the kingdom of Navarre. It reached its zenith under Sancho III (reigned 1000-1035), who married the heiress of Castile and ruled over nearly all of Christian Spain. On Sancho's death the Spanish kingdoms were again divided (into Navarre, Aragón, and Castile). The...
