This booklet is a resource guide for use during Hispanic Heritage week and throughout the year to encourage learning about the many contributions Hispanics have made to our country. Part I describes Hispanic countries, giving brief facts about population, languages, racial and ethnic groups, capital city, religions, government, historical notes, geography, and economy. The countries are listed alphabetically except for Spain which comes first. Part II considers Hispanics in the United States and highlights four major groups. This section includes a brief demographic overview, followed by specific discussion of Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and Dominicans, with demographic data for each group. Part III gives global contributions and achievements of Hispanics, first from an historical perspective, focusing primarily on individuals. These achievements are listed in chronological order from 1900-1984. Next are achievements in politics, including data on number of elected officials of Hispanic origin in cities and states, with related demographic data on proportion of Hispanics in the local or state population. This is followed by information on Hispanics' achievements in sports and by miscellaneous facts of interest about Hispanics. Part IV consists of a brief reading list on Hispanics in the United States. Part V is a resource list of commissions, committees and councils on Hispanic affairs. Part VI lists the sources consulted for this information. (CG)