Being a mountainous country along the coast, the mendiak and istasoa (the sea) are probably the two most important land features in the Basque country. It is the fact that the Basque Country is semi-isolated in the Pyrenees mountains that the Basques have been so successful in protecting and preserving their unique language and culture. While the rest of Europe became a conglomeration of a succession of peoples (Greeks, Romans, Germanic tribes, Moors, etc.) the Basques retreated to their mountain stronghold carrying on their mountain life farming and ranching remaining much th same today as two or three hundred years ago. Here we see a very familiar sight, two artzainak (sheepherders) in their etchola (sheepherders hut) making ard gasna (sheep cheese) in the same way as their ancestors had since time immemorial.

A strong work ethic - a distinguishing characteristic of the Basques...