Here's a short story:

The term Hispanic ( or ) broadly refers to the people, nations, and cultures that have a historical link to Spain. It commonly applies to countries once owned by the Spanish Empire in the Americas (see Spanish colonization of the Americas) and Asia, particularly the countries of Hispanic America and the Philippines. It could be argued that the term should apply to all Spanish-speaking cultures or countries, as the historical roots of the word specifically pertain to the Iberian region. It is difficult to label a nation or culture with one term, such as "Hispanic", as the ethnicities, customs, traditions, and art forms (music, literature, dress, culture, cuisine, and others) vary greatly by country and region. The Spanish language and Spanish culture are the main distinctions. 

"Hispanic" originally referred to the people of ancient Roman Hispania, which roughly comprised the Iberian Peninsula, including the contemporary states of Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. 

The term "Hispanic" derives from Latin "Hispanicus" ('Spanish'), the adjectival derivation of Latin (and Greek) "Hispania" ('Spain') and "Hispanus"/"Hispanos" ('Spaniard'), ultimately probably of Celtiberian origin. In English the word is attested from the 16th century (and in the late 19th century in American English). (End of story)

Provide your best guess for the following question. Give ONLY the guess, no other words or explanation.

For example:

Guess: <most likely guess, as short as possible; not a complete sentence, just the guess!>

Here are a few examples of questions and answers:

Question: What did the word Hispanic refer to, first?
Guess: the people of Hispania

Question: What does the word refer to now?
Guess: people, nations, and cultures that have a historical link to Spain

Question: Should the word apply to any Spanish speaking country?
Guess: It could be argued

Question: The roots of the word pertain to what region?
Guess: the Iberian Peninsula

Question: Does that one word easily name an entire culture?
Guess: no

Question: What are the primary distinctions?
Guess: the Spanish language and culture

Question: Was Andorra part of Roman Hispania?
Guess: yes

Question: Name another area that was part of that region.
Guess: Portugal

Question: When did the word Hispanic enter the English language?
Guess: the 16th century

Now answer the following question in the same format.

Question: The word applies to places once owned by with empire?

Spanish