Country Profiles

Full profiles provide an instant guide to history, politics and economic background of countries and territories, and background on key institutions.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/country_profiles/default.stm

Country Insights

Country facts and cultural information on the countries of the world. Choices include cultural facts or country facts for each country listed.

http://www.intercultures.ca/cil-cai/country_insights-en.asp?lvl=8

U.S. State Department Background Notes

These publications include facts about the land, people, history, government, political conditions, economy, and foreign relations.

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/

Portals to the World contains selective links providing authoritative, in-depth information about the nations and other areas of the world. The links were selected by Area Specialists and other Library staff using Library of Congress selection criteria.

http://www.loc.gov/rr/international/portals.html

Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs deals with information and facts about the Pacific region. Click on any country on the map to be taken to its site. 

http://www.state.gov/p/eap/ci/

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.  

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/cshome.html

Nation Master presents a view a country's profile, facts and rankings on various topics.

http://www.nationmaster.com/countries

Country Reports describes itself as "The Leader in Historical, Cultural, and Statistical Country Information" 

http://www.countryreports.org/

World Bank Country Data
Access key indicators and information for the Pacifc and East Asia

www.worldbank.org/eap

United Nations:
The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), based in Sydney, is the formal UN presence in Australia. Its information-related responsibilities also extend to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Samoa, Tuvalu, Tonga and Vanuatu.. 

http://www.un.org.au/Home.aspx?element=1&category=1

World Development Indicators
The World Bank's primary database for cross-country comparable development data. 

http://web.worldbank.org/  

The IMF is an organization of 184 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty.

http://www.imf.org/

OECD: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development is a unique forum where the governments of 30 market democracies work together to address the economic, social and governance challenges of globalisation as well as to discover its opportunities. 

http://www.oecd.org/

TRAVEL & LIVING ABROAD TIPS

Living Abroad tips   

http://travel.state.gov/travel/living/living_1243.html

Websites of U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions   

http://usembassy.state.gov/

Holidays by country : http://www.earthcalendar.net/_php/CountrySearch.php

BOOKS

• Living and Working in Australia, Third Edition: A Survival Handbook by David Hampshire
• Going to Live in Australia: Your Practical Guide to Beginning a New Life Down Under by Mary Neilson, Mathew Collins, Mary Neilson
• Netting a Job in Australia & New Zealand by Steve Rawling
• Handbook Of Markets And Economies: East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand by John O'Shaughnessy (Foreword), Anthony Pecotich (Editor), Clifford J., II Shultz (Editor)
• Human Resource Management in Australia: Strategy, People, Performance by Helen de Cieri
• City by City Guide to Living And Working in Australia: A City by City Guide by Roberta Duman
• Starting a Business in Australia by Deborah Penrith and Guy Hobbs
• How to Organise and Operate a Small Business in Australia by John English
• Australia & New Zealand on a shoe string  Lonely Planet Publications

NEWS

UN News Centre  provides breaking news, the UN Journal, press releases and other information. 

http://www.un.org/news/ 

International News from BBC   

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/ 

International Herald Tribune   

http://www.iht.com/

World News   

http://www.wn.com/

GATEWAYS

Country Commercial Guide

Use market research to learn your product’s potential in a given market, the best prospects for success, and the market’s business practices before you first export. These reports contain more than 100,000 industry and country-specific market reports, authored by specialists working in overseas posts.

http://www.buyusainfo.net/ 

Overseas Private Investment Corporation OPIC's website contains information on investment opportunities and programs, copies of handbooks, procedures, annual reports, and an "Investor's Information Gateway." 

http://www.opic.gov/

http://www.opic.gov/doingbusiness/ourwork/europe/index.asp

Economist Country Briefings
Provides profiles for 60 countries. Information includes recent articles, stock market data, related Web sites, a currency converter, and macroeconomic data. A country profile contains economic forecasts and the political climate of each nation.  

http://economist.com/countries/

Market and Country Research with International Market Reports and Industry Sector Analysis. Compiled by the US Department of Commerce and the National Trade Data Bank

http://www.stat-usa.gov/tradtest.nsf

International Trade Administration's (ITA) of the Department of Commerce mission is to create prosperity by strengthening the competitiveness of U.S. industry, promoting trade and investment, and ensuring fair trade and compliance with trade laws and agreements.

http://trade.gov/index.asp

Worldwide Business Reports provides country-specific reports on international business practices, business customs and protocol, cross-cultural communication, negotiating, international etiquette, business entertainment and much more.

http://www.worldbiz.com/

Business Culture guides, just perfect for knowing the social customs and etiquette of your country

http://www.executiveplanet.com/