What is the difference between hispanic and Mexican American?

Hispanic and Mexican American are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but there are some key differences between the two.

Below is a table summarizing the key differences:

| Characteristic | Hispanic | Mexican American |

|-------------------|-----------------------|---------------------------------------|

| Origin | Spanish speaking | Mexico (or descent from Mexican) |

| Ethnicity | Diverse | Diverse, primarily indigenous |

| Nationality | Not necessarily Mexican| Often, but not always, American |

| Geography | Found throughout the Americas| Primarily US based, especially West|

In short, Hispanic refers to a person who speaks Spanish or is descended from Spanish-speaking people. Mexican American refers to a person who is of Mexican descent or a citizen of the United States who is of Mexican descent.