*Indicates that electronic version is available

Basic Country Overviews

*Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations (REF G 63 .W67)

Entries for more than 200 countries.  Excellent surveys of the governmental and educational systems, the economy, major industries, population, geography, etc.

*Cities of the World (REF G 153.4 .C57)

Good country profiles, as well  as descriptions of the culture, geography, and economy of each country’s major cities.

*World Factbook  (REF G 123 .U561)

Produced by the CIA; gives descriptive and statistical data for individual countries; also available online at

www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html

Craighead’s International Business, Travel and Relocation Guide to 90 Countries (REF HF5549.5 .E45 C73)

Extensive descriptions of each country: geography, material and social life, economy, resources, business practices, etc

Culture and Daily Life

CultureGrams (REF GT 150 .C85)

Four-page profiles of more than 60 countries with emphasis on unique values, customs, and life-styles.

*Countries and Their Cultures (REF GN 307 .C68)

Extensive coverage of all aspects of the cultural life of each country, including politics, social stratification, family life, gender roles, religion, etc.  An outstanding source.

Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life (REF GN 333 .W67)

Articles explore the ways of life for over 500 culture groups worldwide.

*Greenwood Encyclopedia of Daily Life (REF GT 31 .G74) 

Covers all regions of the world from ancient times to the present. V. 6 deals with the Modern World.  An expanded version is available online in the Daily Life Online database.

*Encyclopedia of European Social History from 1350 to 2000 (REF HN 373 .E63)

Covers wide range of social, cultural, and business topics; excellent sections on domestic life, recreation, politics, etc.

Geography and Climate

*Geo-Data: The World Geographical Encyclopedia (REF G 103.5 .G36)

Basic information on climatic regions of each country: mountains, lakes, rivers, vegetation, natural resources, etc.

Education

*World Education Encyclopedia: A Survey of Educational Systems Worldwide (REF LB 15 .W87 )

Extended descriptions and analyses of the primary, secondary, and higher educational systems in each country of the world. 

Economy

*Worldmark Encyclopedia of National Economies  (REF HC 15 .W67 2002)

For each country, extensive treatments of the principal economic sectors, wealth, poverty, and future trends.

Economies of the World (REF HC 59.3 .E27)

Economic overview of 224 countries, with key demographic and financial indicators.

World Economic Factbook (REF HC 59.15 .W674)

Detailed economic and demographic data for each country.

Religion

Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices (REF BL 80.3 .R45)

Statistics on religious groups and the role of religion in society. 

*Worldmark Encyclopedia of Religious Practices (REF BL 80.3 .W67)

See Vols. 2 and 3 for coverage of individual countries. 

Marriage, Family, and Gender Issues

Greenwood Encyclopedia of Women’s Issues Worldwide  (REF HQ 1115 .G74 2003)

Discusses topics like sex education, gender roles, women’s rights, domestic violence, political participation, etc.  An outstanding resource.

*International Encyclopedia of Marriage and Family  (REF HQ 9 .E52 2003)

For each country, discusses topics like family values, socio-demographic trends, cohabitation, etc.

  Food

*Encyclopedia of Food and Culture (REF GT 2850 .E53)

For each country, gives typical dishes, with discussions of shopping, eating out, the role of food in the culture, etc.

World Cookbook for Students (REF TX 25 .A1 .J23)

For each country, discusses typical dishes and styles of eating, as well as specific recipes.