This volume is one of 62 in a series of handbooks designed to be useful to military and other personnel who need a convenient compilation of basic facts about the social, economic, political, and military institutions and practices of various countries. The emphasis is on objective description of the nation's present society and the kinds of possible or probable changes that might be expected in the future. A bibliography is provided to permit recourse to other published sources. Also included is a glossary of Spanish words and phrases, as well as an index. (Author/DJB)