Navarre

Navarre, Basque province in northern Spain. Formerly an independent Basque kingdom, it was strategic in international politics as a buffer state between Spain and France because it controlled a principal Pyrenees mountain pass, Roncesvalles, on the border. Most of Navarre was conquered in 1515 by Ferdinand V; it sank to provincial status in 1841. Bordering the province, in France, is Lower Navarre. It remained independent until 1589, when Navarre's ruler became Henry IV of France as well. Today that district is part of the French department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques.

See also: Spain.