Basque-Americans are descendants of Basque people in the U.S.A., an ethnic group indigenous to the Basque Country, a region located on both sides of the Pyrenees Mountains.
Basque immigration to the United States increased in the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to a combination of push and pull factors. One of the main reasons for immigration was the search for better economic opportunities. Basque Country was a rural area with limited industrialization and job opportunities, and many Basques saw the U.S. as a land of opportunity. As a result, many Basques settled in the western U.S. and found work in mining, sheepherding, ranching, and other industries.
Political instability was another factor that contributed to Basque immigration. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Basque Country was a region of political unrest due to the terrible consequences of the World Wars (1914-18, 1939-45) in the north and due to the social instability and persecution during the Civil War (1936-39) and the dictatorship (1940-1975) in the south. Consequently, many Basques left to escape these conflicts and seek stability in the U.S.
Basque Americans are primarily concentrated in the western U.S., particularly in Idaho, Nevada, and California. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, approximately 57,793 people of Basque ancestry lived in the United States in 2019. However, it's worth noting that not all people of Basque descent identify as Basque-American, and some are misclassified as Hispanic, so this number may not be entirely accurate. Basques have a strong sense of community and have established cultural centers, restaurants, and festivals to celebrate their heritage.
HOW TO CITE THIS: Cactus Mapping [@cactusmapping] & Minority Languaging [@minoritylanguaging2]. (2023, May 14). Basque-Americans in the U.S.A. / Euskal-Amerikarrak A.E.B.-tan. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/CsMF_b_oklc/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
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