Background Notes  " Background Notes on the Countries of the World is a series of short, factual pamphlets written by officers in the Department of State's geographical bureaus, including information on the country's land, people, history, government, political conditions, economy, foreign relations, and United States policy. Also included are a profile, brief travel notes, and a list of government officials. Background Notes are written for nearly 160 countries"

Country Reports on Economic Policy & Trade from 2000 +

CIA World Factbook  "The World Factbook is produced by CIA's Directorate of Intelligence. The Factbook is a comprehensive resource of facts and statistics on more than 250 countries and other entities"

Country Studies - Defense Dept.  "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 areshaped by cultural factors."

Country Reports on Economic Policy & Trade  Detailed reports on the countries with which the United States has significant economic or trade relationships. Includes key economic indicators, general policies, exchange rates, barriers to U.S. exports & investments, worker rights, debt management policies, structural policies, export subsidties policies, & protection of U.S. Intellectual Property.

Foreign Relations of the United States   "The Foreign Relations of the United States series presents the official documentary historical record of major U.S. foreign policy decisions and significant diplomatic activity. "  " Foreign Relations volumes contain documents from Presidential libraries, Departments of State and Defense, National Security Council, Central Intelligence Agency, Agency for International Development, and other foreign affairs agencies as well as the private papers of individuals involved in formulating U.S. foreign policy. "

Portals to the World  Links to electronic resources from around the world.  Library of Congress.

U.S. Department of State Post Reports   "Post Reports are written for U.S. Government employees and family members assigned to diplomatic missions abroad and provide information about living, housing, and health conditions, as well as recreational, cultural, and employment opportunities for family members in the host country. Like the Background Notes , they also provide an overview of the history, geography, demography, and political organization of the country--but, unlike the Background Notes, they contain specific information that is only applicable to U.S. Government employees on foreign assignment."