Surroundings
LIVE NATURE, RICH CULTURE
Bidasoa Valley, which is located in the western area of the Pyrenees, is a geographical and cultural unit. It is divided into three administrations: Lapurdi, in France; and Gipuzkoa and Nafarroa in Spain. The Bidasoa River, which is the center of the valley, rises in the mountains of Baztan and empties into the Cantabrian Sea in the Bay of Txingudi. It has a total surface area of 1,000 km2 and a population of 125,000.
Even though this area, which pertains to Navarre, is the largest (about 800 km2), it is the most densley populated, about 25,000. Its atlantic location and isolation from the rest of Navarre has given it its own identity. The writer Pío Baroja named it the “Bidasoa Country”. More information
Nature is very much alive in Bidasoa Valley, as it is demonstrated with the great variety of nature reserves, some of which are protected by “Nature Network 2000”:
Coast and Mount Jaizkibel 
- Marshes of Txingudi
- Abaddia Coast
- Mount Larrun
- Aiako Harria Nature Park
- Protected Mountain of Artikutza
- Nature Reserve of San Juan Xar
- Mount Mendaur
- Mountains of Belate LIC
- Nature Area of Leurtza
- Nature Park of Señorio de Bertiz
- Nature Area of Orgi Oakwood
- Mount Aldude– ZEC
- Itxusi-Irubelakaskoa – ZEC
- Bidasoa and Artesiaga Rivers – LIC
Beintza-Labaien, a mountain village
Located on the headwater source of the Ameztia River, it is a small open valley surrounded by mountains. It has a population of 250 (2010), and it is divided by 2 dwellings: Beintza and Labaien. It currently pertains to the región of Malerreka, with Doneztebe-Santesteban as the main town for shops and services. More Information | Location
Did you know? For centuries, Beintza-Labaien belonged to the municipality of Basaburua Barrena (or Menor). It has a curious organisation: formed by 2 dwellings, Beintza and Labaien. Each one has its own inn, square and walled game court. The church of San Pedro is in Beintza while the hermitage of San Salbatore is in Labaien. However, both dwellings form one single village.
