BassesPyrénées

Basses-Pyrénées was a department in southwestern France, existing from 1790 until 1860. It was formed from the western part of the former province of Guyenne and Gascony, and the historic region of Béarn. Its capital was Pau.

The department occupied a fertile plain and extended to the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains. Its economy was largely agricultural, with significant production of grain, wine, and livestock. Fishing was also important in the rivers and along the Atlantic coast.

Basses-Pyrénées was known for its distinct cultural heritage, influenced by its proximity to the Basque Country and Béarn. The Béarnais dialect was spoken in the eastern part of the department, while Basque was prevalent in the west.

In 1860, the department of Basses-Pyrénées was renamed Pyrénées-Atlantiques, reflecting its Atlantic coastline. This name change was primarily administrative and did not significantly alter its geographical boundaries or cultural identity. The former Basses-Pyrénées now forms the core of the modern Pyrénées-Atlantiques department.