Navarre

views updated May 11 2018

Navarre Autonomous region and ancient kingdom in n Spain, stretching from the River Ebro to the w Pyrenees border; the capital is Pamplona. For 400 years, the Kingdom of Navarre fended off successive invasions by the Visigoths, Arabs, and Franks. In 1512 Ferdinand II of Aragon annexed s Navarre. The n part was incorporated as French crown land in 1589. The Spanish region has historically maintained semi-autonomous status. It is a mountainous, agricultural region producing cattle, grapes, timber, cereals, vegetables, and sugar beet. Area: 10,421sq km (4023sq mi). Pop. (2000) 543,800.

Navarre

views updated May 23 2018

Navarre an autonomous region of northern Spain, on the border with France; capital, Pamplona. It represents the southern part of the former kingdom of Navarre, which was conquered by Ferdinand in 1512 and attached to Spain, while the northern part passed to France in 1589 through inheritance by Henri IV, king of France 1589–1610.

More From encyclopedia.com