Presents easy-to-understand information on more than 200 countries and dependencies from around the world in 5 volumes. The 4 country volumes are arranged by global region--Africa, Americas, Asia & Oceania, and Europe--while a United Nations volume focuses on that organization's purposes, principles, and agencies, including the Security Council and Human Rights Commission. Each country entry breaks the country's information into 49 numbered headings that allow users to compare countries in a variety of ways: 1. Location, Size and Extent; 2. Topography; 3. Climate; 4. Flora and Fauna; 5. Environment; 6. Population; 7. Migration; 8. Ethnic Groups; 9. Languages; 10. Religions; 11. Transportation; 12. History; 13. Government; 14. Political Parties; 15. Local Government; 16. Judicial System; 17. Armed Forces; 18. International Cooperation; 19. Economy; 20. Income; 21. Labor; 22. Agriculture; 23. Animal Husbandry; 24. Fishing; 25. Forestry; 26. Mining; 27. Energy and Power; 28. Industry; 29. Science and Technology; 30. Domestic Trade; 31. Foreign Trade; 32. Balance of Payments; 33. Banking and Securities; 34. Insurance; 35. Public Finance; 36. Taxation; 37. Customs and Duties; 38. Foreign Investment; 39. Economic Development; 40. Social Development; 41. Health; 42. Housing; 43. Education; 44. Libraries and Museums; 45. Media; 46. Organizations; 47. Tourism, Travel and Recreation; 48. Famous Persons; and 49. Dependencies. All 250 entries are fully updated to ensure coverage of recent political and cultural events. Features: Readers Guide; Flags and Emblems; Conversion Table; Glossary of Religious Holidays; Glossary of Special Terms; Index to Countries and Territories; Index to United Nations and Related Agencies; expanded bibliographies. - Publisher.