When you think about the Basque diaspora, Quite a few foreign countries often come to mindwhether from Latin America, Europe or various destinations. The entire Basque Country has a long migratory tradition, since a large part of its citizens had to travel to various places in search of a better life, all due to economic, political or social causes.
Therefore, it is not difficult to find homes in which there are many characteristics related to their culture. Its gastronomy, its sport, its music, its party… all of this is visible outside the Northern part of Spain. It is not strange that everything Basque arouses curiosity wherever it goes and, precisely, a corner of the United States enters the scene for being the place that is completely disguised in Basque attire.
Boise, the most Basque American city in the world
It is about the city of Boise, in the state of Idaho, which is located in the western United States. It has a great quality of life, something that has attracted manysuch as the Basques, who have a very concentrated community there. To offer an explanation that relates the arrival of the Spanish to the North American country, we must go back a few years in time.
In the 19th century, several Basques were attracted to the gold and silver rush in the American West. That on the one hand. However, There is also the explanation that relates this movement to the herding of sheep. Idaho has perfect terrain to carry out the work of the primary sector, especially due to its mountains. For this reason, several Basques saw a unique opportunity in the US.
Basque, the protagonist in every sense
Once they settled, boarding houses were opened and houses were built for the newcomers, where the language, gastronomy and other social aspects were maintained. A very obvious witness of this is the Basque Block neighborhoodwhere the Basque Museum & Cultural Center, Basque taverns, markets and activities of all kinds are present, but always related to the Basque Country.
It is very common to hear the phrase “it seems that they have taken it from Spain”but evidently that is not the case. Speaking in more detail about the city, tourists will be able to find ikurriñas (Basque flags) located in the center. At the same time, there is a school whose objective is knowledge and immersion in Basque; It is known as the Boiseko Ikastola.