The Pyrenees (; Spanish: Pirineos [piɾiˈneos]; French: Pyrénées [piʁene]; Aragonese: Pirineus; Catalan: Pirineus [piɾiˈnɛws]; Occitan: Pirenèus; Basque: Pirinioak [piɾini.o.ak]) is a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural borderbetween Spain and France. Reaching a height of 3,404 metres (11,168 ft) altitude at the peak of Aneto, it extends for about 491 km (305 mi) from its union with Cantabrian Mountains to the Mediterranean Sea (Cap de Creus).For the most part, the main crest forms a divide between Spain and France, with the microstate of Andorra sandwiched in between. The Basque Country straddles the western Pyrenees. Historically, the Crown of Aragon and the Kingdom of Navarre extended on both sides of the mountain range.
Etymology
In Greek mythology, Pyrene is a princess who gave her name to the Pyrenees. The Greek historian Herodotus says Pyrene is the name of a town in Celtic Europe. According to Silius Italicus, she was the virgin daughter of Bebryx, a king in Mediterranean Gaul by whom the hero Hercules was given hospitality during his quest to steal the cattle of Geryon during his famous Labours. Hercules, characteristically drunk and lustful, violates the sacred code of hospitality and rapes his host's daughter. Pyrene gives birth to a serpent and runs away to the woods, afraid that her father will be angry. Alone, she pours out her story to the trees, attracting the attention of wild beasts who tear her to pieces.
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