Goust

Infobox Former Country
native_name =
conventional_long_name = Goust
common_name = Goust|
continent = Europe
region = Western Europe
country = France
era =
status = unrecognized
government_type = Republic|
life_span = ? – ?
event_start =
year_start =
date_start =
event_end =
year_end =
date_end =
p1 =
flag_p1 =
p2 =
flag_p2 =
s1 = France
flag_s1 = Flag of France.svg
s2 =
flag_s2 = |
event1 = Recognized by France and Spain
date_event1 = 1648
event2 =
date_event2 = |


flag_type =


symbol =
symbol_type =




image_map_caption = |
capital =
largest_city = N/A
national_motto =
national_anthem =
common_languages = Bearnese, French
religion = Roman Catholic
currency = French franc|

leader1 =
year_leader1 =
title_leader =
deputy1 =
year_deputy1 =
title_deputy =
leader2 =
year_leader2 =
deputy2 =
year_deputy2 = |

stat_year1 = 1865
stat_area1 = 2.5
stat_pop1 = 59
stat_year2 = 1885
stat_area2 =
stat_pop2 = 61
stat_year3 = 1900
stat_area3 =
stat_pop3 = 150
footnotes =

Goust is a hamlet in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of southwestern France. For centuries it was governed as an independent republic, and was never formally annexed by France. Noted for its centenarians, one pensioner was reported to have reached the age of 123. [Cayet, Pierre Victor Palma (1605), "Chronologie septenaire de l'histoire de la paix entre les Roys de France et d'Espagne"]

Geography

Goust is located on the territory of the commune of Laruns. It occupies one square mile on a plateau at the southern (upper) end of the valley of the Gave d'Ossau in the Western Pyrenees, across the river from Eaux-Chaudes. At an elevation of 995 m/3264 ft, it is accessible only by a narrow mountain footpath across the Pont d'Enfer ("Bridge of Hell"). The nearest town is Laruns in the valley below.

The community is made up of 10-12 households, with a population fluctuating between 50 and 150 residents. The traditional economy was based on animal husbandry, wool, and silk production, augmented more recently by tourism. All baptisms, weddings, and burials are performed at the Catholic church in Laruns.

Due to its isolated situation, the inhabitants of Goust have evolved a curious funeral custom: the deceased is placed in a coffin and sent down the mountainside via a specially-constructed chute, to be collected at the bottom for burial in the Laruns cemetery.

History

Although self-governing for centuries, Goust's independence was recognized by France and Spain only in 1648. The government consisted of a Council of Ancients composed of 3-12 citizens, who elected a President for a term of five years. ["Smallest Republic in the World," "Dallas Morning News", August 15, 1896, p 8] ["Pinhead Republics," "Idaho Daily Statesman", May 9, 1894, p 5]

In 1896 the president proclaimed a ban on publication of any newspaper without executive authorization, which led to an uprising of the citizens. ["Fighting for Journalism," "Boston Daily Globe", July 14, 1896, p 8]

Although never formally annexed, Goust has not recently asserted its claim to independence, so is generally considered a part of France.

References

*Dix, Edwin Asa (1890), "A Midsummer Drive through the Pyrenees", ch 10
*"Hameau de Goust, dans les Pyrénées," "Nouvelles Annales des Voyages", vol 37 (1828), pp 109-113
*Moreau, Adolphe (1844), "Itinéraire de Pau aux Eaux-Bonnes et aux Eaux-Chaudes"
*Perret, Paul (1882), "Les Pyrénées françaises: Le Pays Basque et la Basse-Navarre", pp 390-391
*Robb, Graham (2007), "The Discovery of France", pp 19-21
*"An Unknown Republic," "Chambers's Edinburgh Journal", vol 10, no 244 (Sep 2, 1848), pp 165-166
*Vivien de Saint-Martin, Louis (1875 ff), "Nouveau Dictionnaire de Géographie Universelle", vol 2, p 511

ee also

*List of extinct states
*List of historical unrecognized countries
*Former countries in Europe after 1815
*Longevity claims

External links

* [http://www.pbase.com/jmollivier/valle_dossau Scenic photos of Goust and the Ossau Valley]