Iberian Peninsula: Portugal, Andorra, Gibraltar and Spain. During the modern era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term can mean a person of (usually) mixed race with a Spanish surname. The term Hispanic was first adopted by the United States government in the early 1970s, during the administration of Richard Nixon,[1] It has been used in the U.S. Census since 1980.[2] The term hispanic is seen as a false cognate with a limited meaning from the original historical term "hispanicus".[3] Since it was adopted by the USA government for the first time, the concept of "hispanic" has been changing along the time. Who is considered hispanic can differ from state to state or differ according to the requirements of the different organizations.[4] ~~~ The term to many people in North America has lost its association with Spain and Portugal, and has become associated primarily with Latin America. This usage is often viewed as incomplete. ~~~ The term has also been used to denote the culture and people of Spanish colonization of the Americas countries formerly ruled by the Spanish Empire, usually with a majority Hispanophone population. Collectively known as Hispanic America, this region includes Mexico, the majority of the Central and South American spanish speaking countries, and the Spanish-speaking island-nations of the Caribbean. ~~~ Hispanic is also used by people in the United States who are of Hispanic American origin (Hispanic and Latino Americans). Cultural elements (Spanish names, the Spanish language, Spanish customs, etc.) and people known as Hispanic can also be found in other areas that were formerly part of the Spanish Empire, such as in Equatorial Guinea in Africa, or in the Spanish East Indies.

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