Lower Cerdanya, Mountain valley region in Lleida, Spain
Cerdanya is a mountain valley in the eastern Pyrenees, characterized by high peaks and wide meadows that follow the upper Sègre River. The region spans across the Spanish-French border and contains multiple municipalities, with Puigcerdà serving as the main administrative center for the Spanish portion.
The territory was originally the County of Cerdanya, founded in the late 8th century under Frankish control. The division between Spain and France took place in 1659 through the Treaty of the Pyrenees.
The Catalan language and mountain traditions shape daily life throughout the valley, with residents using the same tongue on both the French and Spanish sides. These shared roots create a sense of community that crosses the administrative border naturally.
Spring through autumn offers the best conditions for exploring, as winter snow can block higher passes and mountain roads. The valley has well-connected roads linking the main towns, making it straightforward to navigate between communities.
The Spanish municipality of Llívia sits as a geographical enclave surrounded by French territory, a result of the treaty boundaries drawn centuries ago. This unusual arrangement makes it one of Spain's few exclaves and remains a distinctive feature of the border.
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