On the facing page is a map
of Portugal divided according to Portugal's 'historic divisions. There are
eleven such regions in Portugal, each with its own special character,
determined by history, geographical differences, cuisine, folklore, etc. In the
text of the book we have examined each of these differentiations in its
appropriate place.
One of the pleasures of
traveling about in Portugal, is the sometimes sudden‑, sometimes gradual shift
in character one notices when moving from one historical region to the next. It
makes for an experience akin to traveling through several different countries
within a very short distance, and the experience is amplified with each
additional bit of knowledge about the regional differences.
You should consult the facing
map from time to time as you travel, to aid your understanding and
appreciation.
The names of the regions
were, for the most part, determined by geography. Thus, "Trás‑os‑Montes
" means "across the mountains", "Alentejo" means
"across the Tejo River", "Ribatejo", "bank of the
Tejo", and so on.