Cerdagne

Quick Facts: Who was Cerdagne?

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Cerdagne

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A natural and historical comarca region of the eastern Pyrenees, divided between France and Spain.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Cerdanya (Catalan pronunciation: [səɾˈðaɲə] ; Spanish: Cerdaña, Spanish: [θeɾˈðaɲa] ; French: Cerdagne, pronounced [sɛʁdaɲ] ; Occitan: Cerdanha) or often La Cerdanya is a natural comarca and historical region of the eastern Pyrenees divided between France and Spain. Historically it was one of the counties of Catalonia. Cerdanya has a land area of 1,086.07 km2 (419 sq mi), divided almost evenly between Spain (50.3%) and France (49.7%). In 2001 its population was approximately 26,500, of whom 53% lived on Spanish territory. Its population density is 24 residents per km2 (63 per sq. mile).

Career & Major Achievements

The only urban area in Cerdanya is the cross-border urban area of Puigcerdà-Bourg-Madame, which contained 10,900 inhabitants in 2001. The area enjoys a high annual amount of sunshine – around 3,000 hours per year. For this reason, pioneering large-scale solar power projects have been built in several locations in French Cerdagne, including Font-Romeu-Odeillo-Via, the Themis plant near Targassonne, and Mont-Louis Solar Furnace in Mont-Louis. The first inhabitants of Cerdanya probably spoke a language related to the old Basque language and to Aquitanian. Many place names testify to this.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In the first millennium BC came the Iberians from the south. In Cerdanya they probably mixed with the native inhabitants, and the resulting people were known as the Kerretes, from the native word ker or kar, meaning rock, related to old Basque karri (modern Basque harri), stone. The Kerretes were of Iberian, non-Indo-European origin, and Iberians occupied positions at the top of the Kerrete society. The main oppidum of the Kerretes, commanding the whole country, was called Kere and was built on the hill above the modern-day village of Llívia (a Spanish exclave in French territory). Later the Kerretes came under Roman rule, and the Romans renamed the oppidum Julia Lybica, with a significant number of Roman citizens settling there.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 2001: 2001 Milestone — In 2001 its population was approximately 26,500, of whom 53% lived on Spanish territory.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Cerdagne

True or False: “The ancient capital of Cerdanya remained in Spanish control after the Treaty of the Pyrenees because it was classified as a village.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Llívia remained Spanish because the treaty allegedly stipulated that only villages were to be ceded to France, and Llívia held the status of an ancient capital.

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