Salazar Valley

The Salazar Valley (Basque: Zaraitzu Ibarra, Spanish: Valle de Salazar) is a valley in the east of the Foral Community of Navarre in Spain. It lies within the Merindad of Zangoza-Sangüesa and within that, the Comarca of Roncal-Salazar. The Sierra de Abodi, part of the Western Pyrenees, forms the natural boundary in the north. There is a ski resort in Abodi.

Salazar Valley
Zaraitzu
Coat of arms of Salazar Valley
Country Spain
Autonomous community Navarre
CapitalEzcároz – Ezkaroze
Municipalities
List
  • See text
Area
 • Total310 km2 (120 sq mi)
Population
 (2007)
 • Total1,620
 • Density5.2/km2 (14/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)

Etymology edit

The first mention of the name was in documents of the Monastery of Leire, with the denomination of Sarasazo (924). Later Sarasazu (1055), Sarasaz (1111 and 1469), Sarasaitz (1205) especially in texts written in Latin.

Zaraitzu seems to derivate from an older form: Sarasaitzu.

The Castilian official denomination began being used widely in the 17th century probably influenced by the Salazar surname, famous in the Nobility of the Iberian Peninsula. In fact Salazar is not a common surname in Navarre, but it is very common in the west of the Basque Country, which indicates its origins.

Zaraitzu Basque edit

The local Basque language dialect was the Salazarese, although nowadays Spanish among the elder population and Spanish and Euskara Batua between younger generations is spoken. However, the last publications of works about the Basque of Zaraitzu (dictionary, learning method, text collection and oral recordings) and some courses of this dialect in the valley have been addressed to the local population in order to maintain it to some extent.

Municipalities edit

Valle de Salazar from above

The traditional names of the towns are in brackets.

Demographics edit

Population development in Zaraitzu after 1975[1]
Municipality1975198119861991199620012005
Espartza Zaraitzu-Esparza de Salazar199160159136122103100
Ezkaroze-Ezcároz466431400365364358363
Galoze-Gallués149135142133124121118
Gorza-Güesa12211310690797265
Itzaltzu-Izalzu84545249494546
Jaurrieta415391359321268238225
Otsagabia-Ochagavía826777721676701666651
Orontze-Oronz66707057535655
Sartze-Sarriés121112106111847981
Total2448224321151938184417381704

References edit

External links edit

42°50′N 01°06′W / 42.833°N 1.100°W / 42.833; -1.100