Basques are known for their prowess on the ocean, their ship building expertise, and their exploration of the northern Atlantic. Ships such as the San Juan fueled this exploration. The San Juan, built in 1563 but lost in 1565, was discovered centuries later, a discovery that changed our understanding of Basque history and connections with […]
One of my first exposures to the broader history of the Basque Country and the unique role Basques played in the history of the Americas was through National Geographic magazine. Before that, what little I knew was through osmosis from dancing and festivals. I didn’t really know much about Basques beyond having Basque parents. That article on […]
Today, it is well accepted that the Basques were early visitors to the coast of what would be known as North America. They established sites along the coast of what is now Newfoundland to process the whales they hunted and return the final product to Europe. With the local Native Americans, they created pidgin trading […]