Researching a Country:
Library Resources

The following resources may be useful for country research.  Resources containing cultural information are included, though the emphasis is on resources that discuss the economic conditions and business climates of other countries.

Contents:

• Demographics and Statistics
• History and Culture
• Business and Investment Climate
• Travel and Tourism
• Finding Articles in Business Databases
• Citing Your Sources

Demographics and Statistics

Background Notes    http://www.state.gov/r/pa/bgn/

A database of basic but detailed information on all countries, with an emphasis on the political structure and conditions, given from the point of view of the US State Department.

Country Briefings from Economist.com    http://www.economist.com/countries/

News, country profiles, forecasts, statistics, fact sheets, economic data  and more from the Economist.

Encyclopedia of Global Population Demographics    Ref HB871.N43 1999

Tables offer demographic profile of every country. Information includes geography, population, identity, vital statistics, households, economics and labor, transport, health & healthcare, education and communications.

Europa World Yearbook    Ref Reserve JN1.E85 2003 Vols. 1 & 2

Information on over 250 countries that gives an introductory survey of each country followed by an economic and demographic survey and then a directory section.

United Nations Statistics Division     http://unstats.un.org/unsd/default.htm 

The Statistics Division compiles statistics from many international sources and produces global updates. Unrestricted free access is provided to selected global datasets.

The World Bank Group    http://www.worldbank.org

Go to the "Countries and Regions" section to see key development indicators for your country.

The World Factbook    http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html

CIA publication describing the geography, government, people, economy and infrastructure of the world's countries.

Top of Page

History and Culture

Country Studies: Area Handbook Series    http://memory.loc.gov/frd/cs/cshome.html

Country studies from the Federal Research Service of the Library of Congress.  Note the date of the information given for your country (some of the information is dated).

Culturegrams    Ref GT150 C85 2002 (vols. 1-2)

This two-volume work covers the culture and traditions of more than 170 nations.

Countries and Their Cultures    Ref GN307 .C68 2001 (vols. 1-4)

A four-volume set arranged alphabetically by country. Included are cultural summaries, country maps, photographs, and an index.

Culture and Customs of **** Series    Birnbaum Stacks

Search the catalog under TITLE for "culture and customs of COUNTRY". Not all countries are included yet in this new series.

Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations    Ref G 63 W67 2001 (vols. 1-6)

This encyclopedia has standardized entries for all countries. General demographic, social, political, governmental, geographical, and business information are given for each country included.

Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life    Ref GN333 .W67 1998 (vols. 1-4)

A Companion volume to the Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations. This four volume set is arranged by geographic region and explores the ways of life among 500 or more culture groups. Among the issues covered are: clothing, rites of passage, living conditions, cultural heritage, and folk crafts.

Top of Page

Business and Investment Climate

Country Commerce    Ref Reserve HG3881.I58

A guide to investing, licensing and trading for global business.

Country Reports on Economic Policy and Trade Practices    Birnbaum Ref HC59.C735 2000

Reports on individual country economic policy and trade practices prepared by the Department of State. Also available online including the 2001 edition at http://www.state.gov/e/eb/rls/rpts/eptp/.

Dun & Bradstreet's Guide to Doing Business Around the World    Ref HF1416.M78 2001

Short section on individual countries include: trade opportunities, tariffs, risk factors, negotiating styles investment climate protocol and cultural tips.

Export.gov    http://www.export.gov/

The U.S. Government's "Export Portal" includes country and regional information from various government agencies. Click on "Market Research" to access reports.

Exporters' Encyclopaedia     Birnbaum Ref HF3011.E9 2001/02 and Fact File supplement

Material is arranged geographically. Each country is profiled and information is given on: marketing data, communications, transportation, business travel, key contacts, and a summary of trade regulations and documentation required.

Retail Trade International    Ref Reserve HF5429.R48 2000 (Vols. 1-5)

May be helpful to some groups. Gives detailed statistics and numbers on all sorts of retail trade for each country. Headings include: macroeconomic factors, retail sales, retail infrastructure, key retailing issues, retail business, food distribution, non-food distribution, major retailers and an overall outlook.

Top of Page

Travel and Tourism

Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State    http://travel.state.gov

Travel information from the U.S. State Department.  See especially Background Notes and  Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets.

Travel Industry World Yearbook    Ref G155 .A1 B54 (1984- ;latest *2001* on Reserve)

An annual travel publication covering all aspects of the industry.

Top of Page

Finding Articles in Business Databases

To access news article databases through the Pace Library, go to the library home page (http://library.pace.edu/), click on Databases, and use the pull-down menu labeled "Subject Research Area" to select Business.  You may also choose a specific database from an alphabetical list. We recommend the following:

ABI-Inform

Abstracts and indexes over 1,000 management, marketing and business journals from 1971 to the present. Also includes Full Text coverage of more than 500 major publications from 1991 onward.

Business Source Premier

Provides full text for over 2,710 scholarly business journals covering management, economics, finance, accounting, international business and much more.

Lexis-Nexis Universe

Full Text database of news, business, medical and legal resources, including highly specialized trade journals, leading national and international newspapers, SEC documents, state and federal statistics and case law.

Top of Page

Citing Your Sources

For information on citing your sources using APA format, please see the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (Ref Reserve BF76.7 .A46 2001). Or see the library's guide to Citing Resources (from the Library Home page, click on Research Help).

NOTE: You can also find other current, high quality country information on the web.  For a list of useful websites for country research, click on Internet Resources from the library home page, then use the pull-down menu to select Country Information as your subject research area.

Top of Page

Still Need Help? Ask a Librarian!

Birnbaum Library Guides | Research Help | Library Home