General Resources by Country or Region

This is a selective list of resources for country research that is not limited to legal topics. The emphasis is on online resources, but important print resources are included as well. For research on legal topics see the page Foreign and Comparative Law by Country or Region.

Foreign Governmental web sites
Resources for more than one country or region
Resources by country or region

Foreign Governmental web sites

Foreign GovernmentsNorthwestern University Library, Government and Geographic Information and Data Services Department. Links to official web sites of national governments.
Foreign Governments University of Michigan, Government Documents Center.
Government Gazettes Online University of Michigan, Government Documents Center. “This website attempts to list all online government gazettes and their characteristics to aid researchers.”

Resources for more than one country or region

Comprehensive reference sources

Europa World Year Book Online Political and economic information on more than 250 countries and territories. Includes statistical information. Also covers international organizations.
Political Handbook of the World Information on government and politics in countries worldwide, including information on political parties and groups. Also covers intergovernmental organizations.
Statesman’s Yearbook. Key information and statistics on countries of the world. Also covers international organizations.
I,REF JA 51 .S7
World Factbook. U. S. Central Intelligence Agency. Brief country information and statistics on a variety of topics.
I,REF G 122 .U56a

U.S. Department of State resources

Background Notes. By country, information on the people, history, government, political conditions, economy, foreign relations, US. relations, travel/business.
Countries and Regions. A portal to State Department web pages for country and regional information, State Department contacts, travel information, etc.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.
D,USG Y4.F76/1-15:

U.S. Library of Congress resources

Country Studies. The electronic versions of a series of books, published between 1988 and 1998, providing "background analysis on a country's history, geography, society, economy, political system, foreign policy, and national security." Print editions are held by the law library.
Country Profiles. These updated reports provide "brief, summarized information on a country’s historical background, geography, society, economy, transportation and telecommunications, government and politics, and national security."
Congressional Research Reports. Reports made by the Congressional Research Service for the use of Congress are selectively available. Sources include: ProQuest Congressional Research Digital Collection (select “CRS Reports”); Academic One File ; Open CRS

Other sources for country profiles and information:

BBC News – Country Profiles
Country, economy and regional information Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Country Profiles United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Foreign Information by Country University of Colorado Libraries.

Business and political climate--specialized resources

Economist Intelligence Unit . From a leading research and advisory firm, a database of international business intelligence, including commercial, financial, investment, and trade information on more than 200 countries.
ISI Emerging Markets . Business news and intelligence, and company, industry, financial, economic and political information from emerging market countries. Includes legal and regulatory information.
Freedom in the World. Freedom House. "A comparative assessment of global political rights and civil liberties."
I,MON JC 571 .F66
Index of Economic Freedom. The Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal. Measures and ranks countries on ten economic factors, such as property rights and tax rates.
Nations in Transit. Freedom House. A "comprehensive, comparative, and multidimensional study of reform in the former Communist states of Europe and Eurasia."
N,EAA JN 96 .A58N38

Comprehensive World Wide Web portal

The World Wide Web Virtual Library: Regional Studies

Resources by country or region

Africa

Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies, Northwestern University.
African Studies Internet Resources (WWW Virtual Library). Columbia University.

Americas

Political Database of the Americas. Georgetown University/Organization of American States.

Argentina

International Team Project: Argentina: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center.

Asia

Asian Studies: WWW Virtual Library. Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University.
Bibliography of Asian Studies. This is an index to the literature on "all subjects," especially in the social sciences and humanities, pertaining to East, South, and Southeast Asia. It includes citations to articles from over 100 periodicals, as well as book chapters and conference proceedings, 1971- (monographs 1971-1991).

Iran

Iran resources from Middle East Studies Internet Resources.from the Middle East Network Information Center (MENIC), University of Texas at Austin (WWW Virtual Library).

Iraq

Iraq resources from Middle East Studies Internet Resources. from the Middle East Network Information Center (MENIC), University of Texas at Austin (WWW Virtual Library).

Italy

International Team Project: Italy: Research Checklist. By Pritzker Legal Research Center.

Latin America

HLAS Online (Handbook of Latin American Studies). Library of Congress. "The Handbook is a bibliography on Latin America consisting of works selected and annotated by scholars. Edited by the Hispanic Division of the Library of Congress, the multidisciplinary Handbook alternates annually between the social sciences and the humanities."
Internet Resources for Latin America. By Molly Molloy, New Mexico State University.
The WWW Virtual Library: Latin American Studies. Latin American Information Center Network, The University of Texas.

Malawi

International Team Project: Malawi: Research Checklist. By Pritzker Legal Research Center.

Middle East

Middle East Studies Internet Resources. Columbia University Library.

Morocco

International Team Project: Morocco: Research Checklist. By Pritzker Legal Research Center.

Namibia

International Team Project: Botswana - Namibia: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center.

Netherlands

International Team Project: Netherlands: Research Checklist. By Pritzker Legal Research Center.

New Zealand

International Team Project: New Zealand: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center.

Pacific Area

Pacific Studies WWW Virtual Library. Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University.

Panama

International Team Project: Panama: Research Checklist. By Pritzker Legal Research Center.

Russia

International Team Project: Russia: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center.
Russian and East European Studies. REESWeb. Center for Russian and East European Studies, University of Pittsburgh.

South Africa

International Team Project: South Africa: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center.

Tanzania

International Team Project: Tanzania: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center.

Thailand

International Team Project: Bhutan and Thailand: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center.

Turkey

International Team Project: Turkey: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center.

Uganda

International Team Project: Uganda: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center.

Vietnam

International Team Project: Vietnam: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center.

		Conduct Research Foreign and Comparative Law General Resources by Country or Region
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	U.S. Primary Law U.S. Government Resources (federal, state and local) Illinois and Chicago International Law Foreign and Comparative Law Getting Started Finding Articles and Papers Law by Country or Region Law by Subject General Resources by Country or Region Statistical Resources Selected Topics Find Books, Articles, etc. Writing a Paper or Article Research Alerts	General Resources by Country or Region This is a selective list of resources for country research that is not limited to legal topics. The emphasis is on online resources, but important print resources are included as well. For research on legal topics see the page Foreign and Comparative Law by Country or Region. Foreign Governmental web sites Resources for more than one country or region Resources by country or region Foreign Governmental web sites Foreign GovernmentsNorthwestern University Library, Government and Geographic Information and Data Services Department. Links to official web sites of national governments. Foreign Governments University of Michigan, Government Documents Center. Government Gazettes Online University of Michigan, Government Documents Center. “This website attempts to list all online government gazettes and their characteristics to aid researchers.” Resources for more than one country or region Comprehensive reference sources Europa World Year Book Online Political and economic information on more than 250 countries and territories. Includes statistical information. Also covers international organizations. Political Handbook of the World Information on government and politics in countries worldwide, including information on political parties and groups. Also covers intergovernmental organizations. Statesman’s Yearbook. Key information and statistics on countries of the world. Also covers international organizations. I,REF JA 51 .S7 World Factbook. U. S. Central Intelligence Agency. Brief country information and statistics on a variety of topics. I,REF G 122 .U56a U.S. Department of State resources Background Notes. By country, information on the people, history, government, political conditions, economy, foreign relations, US. relations, travel/business. Countries and Regions. A portal to State Department web pages for country and regional information, State Department contacts, travel information, etc. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. D,USG Y4.F76/1-15: U.S. Library of Congress resources Country Studies. The electronic versions of a series of books, published between 1988 and 1998, providing "background analysis on a country's history, geography, society, economy, political system, foreign policy, and national security." Print editions are held by the law library. Country Profiles. These updated reports provide "brief, summarized information on a country’s historical background, geography, society, economy, transportation and telecommunications, government and politics, and national security." Congressional Research Reports. Reports made by the Congressional Research Service for the use of Congress are selectively available. Sources include: ProQuest Congressional Research Digital Collection (select “CRS Reports”); Academic One File ; Open CRS Other sources for country profiles and information: BBC News – Country Profiles Country, economy and regional information Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Country Profiles United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Foreign Information by Country University of Colorado Libraries. Business and political climate--specialized resources Economist Intelligence Unit . From a leading research and advisory firm, a database of international business intelligence, including commercial, financial, investment, and trade information on more than 200 countries. ISI Emerging Markets . Business news and intelligence, and company, industry, financial, economic and political information from emerging market countries. Includes legal and regulatory information. Freedom in the World. Freedom House. "A comparative assessment of global political rights and civil liberties." I,MON JC 571 .F66 Index of Economic Freedom. The Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal. Measures and ranks countries on ten economic factors, such as property rights and tax rates. Nations in Transit. Freedom House. A "comprehensive, comparative, and multidimensional study of reform in the former Communist states of Europe and Eurasia." N,EAA JN 96 .A58N38 Comprehensive World Wide Web portal The World Wide Web Virtual Library: Regional Studies Resources by country or region Africa Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies, Northwestern University. African Studies Internet Resources (WWW Virtual Library). Columbia University. Americas Political Database of the Americas. Georgetown University/Organization of American States. Argentina International Team Project: Argentina: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center. Asia Asian Studies: WWW Virtual Library. Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University. Bibliography of Asian Studies. This is an index to the literature on "all subjects," especially in the social sciences and humanities, pertaining to East, South, and Southeast Asia. It includes citations to articles from over 100 periodicals, as well as book chapters and conference proceedings, 1971- (monographs 1971-1991). Australia International Team Project: Australia: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center. Bhutan International Team Project: Bhutan and Thailand: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center. Botswana International Team Project: Botswana - Namibia: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center. Brazil International Team Project: Brazil: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center. Cambodia International Team Project: Cambodia: Research Checklist. By Pritzker Legal Research Center. Chile International Team Project: Chile: Research Checklist. By Pritzker Legal Research Center. China International Team Project: China: Research Checklist. By Pritzker Legal Research Center. Cuba International Team Project: Cuba: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center. Ethiopia International Team Project: Ethiopia: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center. Europe The WWW Virtual Library: International Affairs Resources: Western Europe. Elizabethtown College. The WWW Virtual Library: West European Studies. The University of Pittsburgh. Russian and East European Studies. REESWeb. Center for Russian and East European Studies, University of Pittsburgh. Greenland International Team Project: Iceland and Greenland: Research Checklist. Pritzker Legal Research Center. Iceland International Team Project: Iceland and Greenland: Research Checklist. Pritzker Legal Research Center. India International Team Project: India: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center. Iran Iran resources from Middle East Studies Internet Resources.from the Middle East Network Information Center (MENIC), University of Texas at Austin (WWW Virtual Library). Iraq Iraq resources from Middle East Studies Internet Resources. from the Middle East Network Information Center (MENIC), University of Texas at Austin (WWW Virtual Library). Italy International Team Project: Italy: Research Checklist. By Pritzker Legal Research Center. Latin America HLAS Online (Handbook of Latin American Studies). Library of Congress. "The Handbook is a bibliography on Latin America consisting of works selected and annotated by scholars. Edited by the Hispanic Division of the Library of Congress, the multidisciplinary Handbook alternates annually between the social sciences and the humanities." Internet Resources for Latin America. By Molly Molloy, New Mexico State University. The WWW Virtual Library: Latin American Studies. Latin American Information Center Network, The University of Texas. Malawi International Team Project: Malawi: Research Checklist. By Pritzker Legal Research Center. Middle East Middle East Studies Internet Resources. Columbia University Library. Morocco International Team Project: Morocco: Research Checklist. By Pritzker Legal Research Center. Namibia International Team Project: Botswana - Namibia: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center. Netherlands International Team Project: Netherlands: Research Checklist. By Pritzker Legal Research Center. New Zealand International Team Project: New Zealand: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center. Pacific Area Pacific Studies WWW Virtual Library. Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University. Panama International Team Project: Panama: Research Checklist. By Pritzker Legal Research Center. Russia International Team Project: Russia: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center. Russian and East European Studies. REESWeb. Center for Russian and East European Studies, University of Pittsburgh. South Africa International Team Project: South Africa: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center. Tanzania International Team Project: Tanzania: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center. Thailand International Team Project: Bhutan and Thailand: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center. Turkey International Team Project: Turkey: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center. Uganda International Team Project: Uganda: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center. Vietnam International Team Project: Vietnam: Research Checklist. By the Pritzker Legal Research Center.