Country Profiles & Analysis
This topic guide lists sources for country overviews.
The guide focuses on suggested strategies and best places to begin research efforts. For information & assistance in using any of the sources, please contact library staff:
Background Notes (U.S. Dept. of State) - "Factual publications that provide information on all the countries of the world with which the US has relations. They include facts on the country's land, people, history, government, political conditions, economy, and its relations with other countries and the United States."
Britannica World Data Analyst [AVL Access for community researchers]
"Combining detailed statistics with powerful tools for analysis and display, this resource features a unique collection of in-depth information about the countries of the world and allows you to create interesting and information comparative charts and tables. "
Business Source Premier (EBSCO) [AVL Access for community researchers]
For Country Reports:
- Click the ‘Country Reports ’ link in the Browse section.
- Enter the name of your country in the 'Browse for' search box
- Click on the name of your country from the results list for a number of reports from various sources.
Note: Includes reports from Business Monitor International, CountryWatch, Datamonitor, Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Global Insight, Going Global, ICON Group International, Organisation for Economic Cooperation & Development (OECD), PRA Group, Superintendent of Documents.
CIA World Factbook (Central Intelligence Agency) - The CIA provides users with an excellent concise country overview (map, introduction, geography, people, government, economy, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues).
Country Commercial Guides - The Country Commercial Guides publication for each country can be obtained through the Export.gov website. Click on the link to the left 'Market Research'; choose the link 'country and industry reports'. You will be asked to register as a Student/Researcher. Once registered, choose the country and report type 'Country Commercial Guides'. *The 'Marketing US Products & Services' chapter in these guides are excellent and provide an overview of how to set up business for that country. *The 'Business Travel' chapter provides cultural and customs information. Other report types include: Industry Sector Analysis, International Market Insight, Multilateral Development Bank Report, Market Research - International, Market Research - Global, Trade Directory and Events.
Country Studies/Area Handbook Series (Library of Congress) - "The Country Studies Series 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 and examines the interrelationships of those systems and the ways they are shaped by cultural factors. At present, 102 countries and regions are covered. Notable omissions include Canada, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and other Western nations, as well as a number of African nations."
Everything International/Market Entry Assistance (Russow/Philadelphia University)
Foreign Trade Statistics (U.S. Census Bureau)
Global Competitiveness Report
MCOB Reference HF 1414 .G559
globalEDGE: International Business Resource Desk (Michigan State University) - Browse the wealth of data links by categories 'country insights', 'global resources', or 'market potential indicators'.
Globalization Index
The Globalization Index is located in the journal Foreign Policy and is titled "Measuring Globalization".
To locate this title in Our Journal List:
Once you click on Our Journal List, enter the name of the journal, magazine or source in the first search box. If the title is indexed in any of our databases, it will appear on a results list. For the title Foreign Policy, click on Business Source Premier
on the results list. When the journal page is on the screen, click on
'search within publication' for the title of the article "Measuring Globalization".
Handbook of Country Risk: A Guide to International Business
MCOB Reference HG 4538 .R57
International Data Base (IDB)- The International Data Base (IDB) offers a variety of demographic indicators for 224 countries and areas of the world. The IDB has provided access to demographic data for over 25 years to governments, academics, other organizations, and the public. It is funded by organizations that sponsor the research of the Census Bureau's International Programs Center.
International Trade Administration
Portals to the World (Library of Congress)
World Bank - Choose a specific country from the main page for quickest access to information.
World Economic Outlook - "The World Economic Outlook presents the IMF staff's analysis and projections of economic developments at the global level, in major country groups (classified by region, stage of development, etc.), and in many individual countries. It focuses on major economic policy issues as well as on the analysis of economic developments and prospects. It is usually prepared twice a year, as documentation for meetings of the International Monetary and Financial Committee, and forms the main instrument of the IMF's global surveillance activities."
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Last Updated: 1/13/09 DLH
