Country Information
For more detailed background and analyses, use the profiles prepared by Europa and CQ.
To find comparative statistics, refer to statistical compendia.
Country Profiles
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CIA World Factbook(Searches through citations and the full text)
Information on the history, people, government, economy, geography, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues for 266 world entities. -
CQ Political Handbook of the World(Searches through citations and the full text)
Provides brief country and political system information from standard sources such as Freedom House, Pippa Norris’ “democracy type” adapted from Freedom House rankings, and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA). Also includes maps. Note: You can also search across all of the CQ Press reference resources here. -
Europa World PlusCombines the Europa World Year Book and the nine-volume Europa Regional Surveys of the World series. Provides up-to-date political and economic information for more than 250 countries and territories.
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State Department Background NotesThe State Department profiles each country's economy, history, geography, demographics, and recent political history.
Statistical Compendia
Compare countries on different measures (literacy, GDP, population) by using statistical compendia (collections of and directories to statistical sources).
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WDI: World Development IndicatorsStatistical data for development indicators and time series data for over 200 countries and 18 country groups. Data includes social, economic, financial, natural resources, and environmental indicators. Covers 1960 - present.
Note: For data documentation, see the print reference book: World Development Indicators, at call number Ref HC 59.15 .W656. -
Data Planet(Searches through citations, subject indexing, and abstracts)
Creates interactive statistical tables, charts and maps from over 4.3 billion licensed and public domain datasets on many areas of research, from traffic to international trade. -
UNData(Searches through citations and the full text)
A single gateway to the UN's 24 statistical databases and 60+ million records).
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NationmasterThis is a free web, ad-supported site with comparative national statistics. Very useful for brainstorming variables and determining sources.
Comparative Political Data Guide
Looking for more data sources and suggestions?
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Comparative Political DataGould Library's directory of comparative political data sources.
