Countries of the World
General Guides
United States Government
![[Maps of the World]](/library/images/relief-map.gif)
- Library of Congress Country Studies
- Includes detailed descriptions and analyses of 101 countries of the world, focusing on "lesser known areas of the world or regions in which U.S. forces might be deployed". Each book includes discussion of the historical setting as well as the social, economic, political, and national security systems and institutions of countries throughout the world.
- Background Notes
- Not as detailed as the Library of Congress Country Studies, but not as brief as the CIA World Factbook. Each report includes sections on: geography, people, history, government and political conditions, economy, general foreign relations, U.S. relations with the country, and travel and business information.
- CIA World Factbook
- Brief descriptions of every country in the world. Entries include geography, people, government, economy, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues.
Other Sources
- Virtual Library: Regional Studies
- Links to area studies as well as individual country studies.
- Google > Regional
- Choose sections on regions, countries, or languages.
- Yahoo! Regional > Countries
- Links to information about countries. Organized by the name of the country.
- Yahoo! Government > Countries
- Links to government Web sites for all the countries of the world. Organized by country name.
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Maps
Current Maps
- National Geographic Society Map Machine
- Use their dynamic mapping service to select a location and then select the "theme" (political, cultural, population, physical attributes, etc.). Printable results.
- Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection
- Includes public domain maps, primarily from the U.S. government, which have been scanned in to make the available on the Web. Sections include: current interest maps, world maps, countries, states, Texas counties, and historical maps.
- United Nations Cartographic Section Maps and Geographic Information Resources
- Includes general maps, peacekeeping maps, thematic maps, and other geographical resources. Maps are in PDF format and require the Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Google > Reference > Maps
- Includes links to current and historical maps, among many other sites.
- Yahoo! Science > Geography > Cartography > Maps > World
- Links to map collections.
Historical Maps
- The Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection: Historical Maps
- Scanned in historical maps from their collection, as well as an extensive collection of links to historical maps at other sites. Organized by region and then by name.
- Map Collections: 1500-2003 (Library of Congress)
- Focusing on Americana and other cartographic treasures from the Library of Congress, these maps are generally not copyrighted. Organized into: cities and towns; cultural landscapes; conservation and environment; military battles and campaigns; discovery and exploration; transportation and communication; and general maps.
- Historical Map & Chart Project
- Oover 20,000 maps and charts from the late 1700s to present day, focusing on nautical charts, hydrographic surveys, topographic surveys, geodetic surveys, city plans and Civil War battle maps. Click on "Image Catalog" to search by keyword, or browse by region or type.
- Historical Atlas of the Twentieth Century
- Includes socioeconomic trends, systems of government, population, war, and religion, as well as specific events, times, and countries.
- Google > Reference > Maps > Historical
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Travel Guides
United States Government
- FirstGov: Travel and Recreation
- Links to travel information from the US government, including passport, travel requirements, travel warnings, health information, and tips for international travelers.
- Bureau of Consular Affairs
- Includes visa and passport information, travel warnings, services and information for Americans abroad, medical and legal services abroad, and other useful international travel information.
- CDC Travelers' Health
- Notices about disease outbreaks around the world. In particular, check out their Health Information for International Travel 2005-2006 and their Destinations section.
- Tips for Students (State Dept.)
- Information for students or student advisors about travel or study abroad.
Other Sites
- Lonely Planet Online
- Destination and practical travel information from a publisher of travel books.
- Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel Online
- Another collection of travel information from a travel publisher.
- WHO International Travel and Health
- Vaccination requirements and health advice for travel around the world.
- Cornette Library: Government Information: Summer Travel
- Links to government travel information about the Texas Panhandle, Texas, United States, and world.
- Google > Recreation > Travel
- Links to travel information, reservation services, etc.
- Yahoo! Recreation > Travel
- More links.
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International Organizations
- United Nations
- European Union
- International Monetary Fund
- Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Organization of American States
- Organization of African Unity
- World Bank
- World Trade Organization
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Other Useful Sites
United States Government
- Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members of Foreign Governments
- Lists the Presidents, Prime Ministers, Cabinet and/or Ministers of government. Organized by country.
- Country and Industry Market Reports
- Search by industry, region, country, report type, and date. Includes Country Commercial Guides (CCGs) which "present a comprehensive look at countries' commercial environments, using economic, political and market analysis". Each report includes sections on: economic trends And outlook; political environment; marketing U.S. products and services; leading sectors for U.S exports and investments; trade regulations, customs and standards; investment climate statement; trade and project financing; business travel; economic and trade statistics; U.S. And country contacts; market research; and trade event schedule.
- Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
- Submitted annually to the Congress by the State Department, the reports cover "internationally recognized individual, civil, political, and worker rights, as set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights".
- Country Reports on Economic Policy and Trade Practices
- Prepared to assist Congress on trade and economic legislation, these reports "provide a single, comparative analysis of the economic policies and trade practices of countries with which the United States has significant economic or trade relationships". All reports include sections on: key economic indicators (chart); general policy framework; exchange rate policies; structural policies; debt management policies; significant barriers to U.S. exports; export subsidies policies; protection of U.S. intellectual property; worker rights; and extent of U.S. investment in selected industries (chart). Reports are in PDF format and require the Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- U.S. Embassies and Other Diplomatic Missions
- Links to U.S. diplomatic and consular posts around the world.
Other Sites
- Diplomacy Monitor
- The St. Thomas University School of Law utilizes specially developed proprietary software to monitor the global output of communiqués, official statements, press briefings, position papers, interview transcripts and news releases from hundreds of diplomacy-related websites in near real-time and channel it into synthesized information streams within Diplomacy Monitor for scholars, diplomats, journalists, researchers, students and others interested in the interaction among nations.
- Foreign Government Resources on the Web
- Extensive collection of links to foreign government information. Organized by region and category.
- Governments on the WWW
- Database of governmental institutions and political parties. Organized by continent or type of government. Available in English and German.
- Ethnologue: Languages of the World
- Brief descriptions of all the languages and dialects spoken around the world. Includes number of people speaking the language, location, ethnic groups involved, literacy, some cultural information, and religion. Organized by region and then country.
- International Information Systems
- From the University of Texas at Austin. Country sections of each center include sections on: academic research sources; art and literature; business and economy; educational travel programs; general; government; network and information services; news and newsgroups; organizations; other resources; portals, directories, and search sites; language programs; sustainable development; and travel and tourism. The centers include:
Any questions? Ask a Librarian, or call us at 806/651-2205.
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