:Thanks for the feedback.  The terms "historically" and "traditionally" both seem a bit facile in this context:  lots of syllables, but not much meaning.   How about  
 :: 
 :By the way "... with historical identity" is an odd phrase.  I assumed that was a legal term used within Spain to designate a certain kind of province ... is that correct?   If it is not a Spanish legal/governmental term, we should remove it or improve it.