Countries & Regions

"Each country is covered by an individual chapter, containing: an introductory survey including recent history, economic affairs, government, defense, education, and public holidays; an economic & demographic survey using the latest available statistics on area & population, health & welfare, agriculture, forestry, fishing, industry, finance, trade, transport, tourism, the media, and education; and a directory section listing names, addresses and other useful facts about organizations in the fields of government, election commissions, political parties, diplomatic representation, judiciary, religions, the media, telecommunications, banking, insurance, trade & industry, development organizations, chambers of commerce, industrial & trade associations, utilities, trade unions, transport, and tourism."

"accessible, authoritative background information about governments, political issues, and citizen politics in 198 regions, including every independent nation of the world and several territories under the jurisdiction of sovereign countries." Also includes biographies, conventions & documents, region profiles, forms of government, history, international & supranational entities, law & the courts, and rights, responsibilities & freedoms.

Governments (Countries A-Z) -- The Country -- Government & Politics -- Political Parties & Groups -- Legislature -- Cabinet -- Communications
Intergovernmental Organizations -- Origin & Development -- Structure -- Activities
Chronology of Major International Events, 1945+
Chronology of Major International Conferences Sponsored by the United Nations, 1946+
Membership of the United Nations and Its Specialized & Related Agencies

the individual country entries provide information about key historical events, territory & population, social statistics, climate, constitution & government, government chronology, recent elections, current administration, current leaders, defense, international relations, economy, energy & natural resources, industry, international trade, communications, social institutions, religion, diplomatic representatives, and further reading.