The Pays-Libres des Basques (also known as Euskaldunak or País-Libre Vasco) is an independent Basque state in the western Pyrenees that spans the border between France and Spain, on the Atlantic coast. It comprises the former Spanish Autonomous Communities of the Basque Country and Navarre, and then the Northern Basque Country in France. Over the centuries, elements from both Spanish and French culture (including the respective languages) have been a major influence in the respective parts of the region's culture. The region is the homeland of the Basque people (Basque: Euskaldunak), their language (Basque: Euskara), culture, and traditions. It gained its independence shortly after Doomsday.