Countries: A Research Guide

Whether your research takes you to a city in your own country or one around the world, the resources listed below will help you identify geographic names, statistical data, business and cultural information, and basic facts like major religions, population, country songs, and symbols. The materials below will help beginning researchers as well as those looking for more comprehensive coverage. The terms and phrases listed in the subject headings below can be used to search for more materials in the library's catalog and research databases. If you need further assistance, please ask a librarian.

The Columbia Gazetteer of the World edited by Saul Bernard Cohen. New York : Columbia University Press, 1998. ISBN: 0231110405.
Entries include political divisions (states, provinces, capitals), the physical world (oceans, mountains, volcanoes), and special places (military bases, dams, national parks).

Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary, 3rd ed. Springfield , MA : Merriam-Webster, 1997. ISBN: 0877795460.
Contains key data about the countries, cities, and natural features of today's world. More than 48,000 entries and 252 maps provide population, size, economic data, historical notes, and more.

Background Notes. Washington, DC : U.S. Department of State.
www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/
Factual publications that contain information on all countries throughout the world with which the United States has relations including facts on the country's land, people, history, government, political conditions, and economy.

Demographic Yearbook/Annuaire Démographique. United Nations, 1948– . ISSN: 00828041.
Country demographic statistics prepared by the Statistical Division of the United Nations.

Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members of Foreign Governments. Washington , DC : National Foreign Assessment Center . Monthly. ISSN: 01622951.
www.cia.gov/cia/publications/chiefs/index.html
Includes governments of the world, some of them not officially recognized by the United States or with which the United States has no diplomatic exchanges.

Country Studies. Washington, DC : Federal Research Division, Library of Congress.
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/cshome.html
Presents a description and analysis of the historical setting and the social, economic, political, and national security systems and institutions of countries throughout the world. Covers 102 countries and regions.

Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. Washington, DC : U.S. Department of State.
http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html
Issues travel warnings, location of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, unusual immigration practices, health conditions, minor political disturbances, unusual currency and entry regulations, crime and security information, and drug penalties.

The World Factbook. Washington , DC : Central Intelligence Agency, 1981– . Annual. ISSN: 02771527.
www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html
Covers the following categories: geography, people, government, economy, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues.

Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations, 11th ed. edited by Timothy L. Gall. 6 vols. Detroit : Gale Group, 2003. ISBN: 0787673307.
Presents information on countries and dependencies from around the world. Vol. 1: United Nations; vol. 2: Africa; vol. 3: Americas ; vol. 4: Asia and Oceania; vol. 5: Europe ; vol. 6: World leaders.

UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund)
www.unicef.org
Provides health care, clean water, improved nutrition, and education to children in Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East .

The United Nations
www.un.org
Established in 1945 to preserve peace through international cooperation and collective security. Composed of six main organs: General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the Secretariat, and the International Court of Justice.

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MapMachine, National Geographic http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/mapmachine/index.html
Browse and search the world by name of. Includes a variety of maps.

Peace Corps
www.peacecorps.gov/wws/students/index.html
Learn about life in other countries.

The United States Commercial Service
www.export.gov/comm_svc/
Provides market research for many countries including trade shows, exporting information, and commercial business guides.