Government Information Online - Country Studies & International Relations

Note: Many links are using the Government Printing Office's PURLs, or Persistent Uniform Resource Locators, rather than direct links to the federal agencies. This improves the links accuracy, in case the publication was moved to a different URL. However, it does take an extra few seconds to retrieve the website.

Agencies

The federal agencies' websites are good starting points when looking for general information on a relevant topic, or when looking for specific information that you know the agency handles. Virtually all of the websites have a site index or a search engine, if you have difficulty navigating the site.

Central Intelligence Agency - Responsible for collecting intelligence, correlating and evaluating intelligence related to the national security and providing appropriate dissemination of such intelligence, and providing overall direction for and coordination of the collection of national intelligence outside the United States.
Foreign Agricultural Service - Part of the Agriculture Department, works to improve foreign market access for U.S. products. Operates programs designed to build new markets and improve the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace.
International Trade Administration - Part of the Commerce Department, provides practical information to help select markets for products. Ensures access to international markets as required by U.S. trade agreements. Safeguards the U.S. from unfair competition from dumped and subsidized imports.
State Department - Leading U.S. foreign affairs agency. Advances U.S. objectives and interests in shaping a freer, more secure, and more prosperous world through its primary role in developing and implementing the President's foreign policy. Also supports the foreign affairs activities of other U.S. Government entities including the Commerce Department and the Agency for International Development. Provides an array of important services to U.S. citizens and to foreigners seeking to visit or immigrate to the U.S. For historical State Department information, see UIC's Electronic Research Collections.

Selected Publications

Area Handbooks/Country Studies - 300+ page books that present a description and analysis of the historical setting and the social, economic, political, and national security systems and institutions of a particular country throughout the world and examines the interrelationships of those systems and the ways they are shaped by cultural factors. Around 100 countries are covered, except Canada and Western European countries. The books were originally written between 1988 and 1998.
Consular Information Sheets - Basic information about travel to a particular country, from the State Department. Includes health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, any areas of instability, and the location of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in the country.
Country Background Notes - Brief guides provide information on a country's leaders, politics, economy, and relations with the U.S. Written by State Department officials. Each country is usually updated once every couple of years.
Foreign Relations of the United States - Historical record of American foreign policy is produced by the State Department's Office of the Historian. First published in 1861, Foreign Relations of the United States preserves a key part of American history in more than 350 individual volumes. Each volume documents the major foreign policy decisions and diplomatic activity of the U.S. Government and contains declassified records from the White House, the State Department, and other foreign affairs agencies.
Market Research Library - Search for market research reports and/or country commercial guides, prepared by U.S. Commercial Service and the State Department.

State Magazine - Published monthly by the State Department to facilitate communication between management and employees at home and abroad and to acquaint employees with developments that may affect operations or personnel.

Travel Warnings - Latest recommendations from the State Department on countries to avoid.
Travelers' Health - Various publications from the Centers for Disease Control about health concerns for travelers abroad. February 12, 2008 World Factbook - Comprehensive resource of facts and statistics on more than 250 countries and other entities published by the Central Intelligence Agency.

Last updated February 12, 2008 | Created by Library Web Committee
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Agencies

Selected Publications

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