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  Background Notes: Indonesia
Background Notes  Oct 2009; Lexile Score: 1360; 78K, SIRS Government Reporter
Summary: "Indonesia's approximately 240.3 million people make it the world's fourth-most populous nation. The island of Java, roughly the size of New York State, is the most populous island in the world (124 million, 2005 est.) and one of the most densely populated areas in the world....Indonesia has a market-based economy in which the government plays a significant role. There are 139 state-owned enterprises, and the government administers prices on several basic goods, including fuel, rice, and electricity." (Background Notes) Indonesia's people, history, government and political conditions, economy, foreign relations, and relations with the U.S. are discussed.
Descriptors: U.S., Foreign relations, Indonesia

  Background Notes: Turkmenistan
Background Notes  Sep 2009; Lexile Score: 1330; 24K, SIRS Government Reporter
Summary: "The territory of Turkmenistan has been populated since ancient times, as armies from one empire to another decamped on their way to more prosperous territories. Tribes of horse-breeding Turkmen drifted into the territory of Turkmenistan, possibly from the Altay Mountains, and grazed along the outskirts of the Karakum Desert into Persia, Syria, and Anatolia....Turkmenistan is an important supplier of raw materials, especially natural gas, petrochemicals and raw cotton. With the 2007 harvest of 920,000 tons, Turkmenistan is the second-largest cotton producer in the former Soviet Union after Uzbekistan. However, the crop yield has been steadily declining since independence because of poor irrigation and management practices." ( Background Notes ) Turkmenistan's government, economy, people, history, government and political conditions, foreign relations and relations with the United States are highlighted.
Descriptors: U.S., Foreign relations, Turkmenistan

  Background Notes: Croatia
Background Notes  Aug 2009; Lexile Score: 1370; 24K, SIRS Government Reporter
Summary: "Croatia serves as a gateway to eastern Europe. It lies along the east coast of the Adriatic Sea and shares a border with Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, and Slovenia....Croatia's economy turned the corner in 2000 as tourism rebounded. The economy expanded by 5.6% in 2002, stimulated by a credit boom led by newly privatized and foreign-capitalized banks, some capital investment (most importantly road construction), further growth in tourism, and gains by small and medium-sized private enterprises. These trends have continued, with credit growth fueling strong demand in construction and services, resulting in 4.8% GDP growth in 2006." ( Background Notes ) Croatia's geography, people and history, government and political conditions, economy, foreign relations and relations with the U.S. are examined.
Descriptors: U.S., Foreign relations, Croatia

  Background Notes: Greece
Background Notes  Aug 2009; Lexile Score: 1330; 36K, SIRS Government Reporter
Summary: "Greece was inhabited as early as the Paleolithic period and by 3000 BC had become home, in the Cycladic Islands, to a culture whose art remains among the most evocative in world history....Greece adopted the euro as its new common currency in January 2002. The adoption of the euro provided Greece (formerly a high inflation risk country under the drachma) with access to competitive loan rates and also to low rates of the Eurobond market. This led to a dramatic increase in consumer spending, which has given a significant boost to economic growth." (Background Notes) Greece's people, history, government and political conditions, economy, foreign relations and relations with the U.S. are discussed.
Descriptors: U.S., Foreign relations, Greece

  Background Notes: Germany
Background Notes  June 2009; Lexile Score: 1380; 58K, SIRS Government Reporter
Summary: "Germany is the world's fourth-largest economy and the largest in Europe. In 2006, Germany had its best year since 2000 with 2.7% growth; in 2007, growth was at 2.5% despite a 3 percentage point value added tax (VAT) hike at the beginning of the year. In the context of the global financial crisis, economic growth slowed during 2008 and continues to slow in 2009....Germans often describe their economic system as a 'social market economy.' The German Government provides an extensive array of social services. The state intervenes in the economy by providing subsidies to selected sectors and by owning some segments of the economy, while promoting competition and free enterprise." (Background Notes) Germany's people, history, government and political conditions, economy, foreign relations, and relations with the U.S. are discussed.
Descriptors: U.S., Foreign relations, Germany

  Background Notes: Cambodia
Background Notes  May 2009; Lexile Score: 1300; 42K, SIRS Government Reporter
Summary: "Cambodia is located on mainland Southeast Asia between Thailand to the west and north and Vietnam to the east and southeast. It shares a land border with Laos in the northeast.....In spite of recent progress, the Cambodian economy continues to suffer from the legacy of decades of war and internal strife. Per capita income and education levels are lower than in most neighboring countries. Infrastructure remains inadequate, although road networks are improving rapidly. Most rural households depend on agriculture and its related subsectors. Corruption and lack of legal protections for investors continue to hamper economic opportunity and competitiveness. The economy also has a poor track record in creating jobs in the formal sector, and the challenge will only become more daunting in the future since 50% of the population is under 20 years of age and large numbers of job seekers will begin to enter the work force each year over the next 10 years." (Background Notes) Cambodia's history, government, foreign relations, economy and relations with the U.S. are discussed.
Descriptors: U.S., Foreign relations, Cambodia

  Background Notes: Grenada
Background Notes  May 2009; Lexile Score: 1220; 26K, SIRS Government Reporter
Summary: "Grenada is governed under a parliamentary system based on the British model; it has a governor general, a prime minister and a cabinet, and a bicameral parliament with an elected House of Representatives and an appointed Senate....The economy of Grenada, based primarily upon services (tourism and education) and agricultural production (nutmeg and cocoa), was brought to a near standstill by Hurricane Ivan on September 7, 2004. Thirty-seven people were killed by the hurricane, and approximately 8,000-10,000 left homeless. Hurricane Ivan damaged or destroyed 90% of the buildings on the island, including some tourist facilities. Overall damage totaled as much as 2.5 times annual GDP. Reconstruction proceeded quickly, but much work remains." (Background Notes) . Grenada's people, history, government and political conditions, economy, foreign relations, and relations with the U.S. are discussed.
Descriptors: U.S., Foreign relations, Grenada

  Background Notes: Mexico
Background Notes  May 2009; Lexile Score: 1320; 43K, SIRS Government Reporter
Summary: "Mexico is the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world and the second most-populous country in Latin America after Portuguese-speaking Brazil. About 76% of the people live in urban areas. Many Mexicans emigrate from rural areas that lack job opportunities--such as the underdeveloped southern states and the crowded central plateau--to the industrialized urban centers and the developing areas along the U.S.-Mexico border. According to some estimates, the population of the area around Mexico City is nearly 22 million, which would make it the largest concentration of population in the Western Hemisphere....Mexico is highly dependent on exports to the U.S., which represent more than a quarter of the country's GDP. The result is that the Mexican economy is strongly linked to the U.S. business cycle, and has suffered from the economic slowdown in the United States. Real GDP grew by 4.8% in 2006, 3.3% in 2007, and 1.4% in 2008, but government officials expect the economy to contract by up to 5% in 2009." ( Background Notes ) Mexico's people, history, government, economy, political conditions and foreign relations are profiled.
Descriptors: U.S., Foreign relations, Mexico

  Background Notes: Bulgaria
Background Notes  April 2009; Lexile Score: 1340; 30K, SIRS Government Reporter
Summary: "Bulgaria shares a border with Turkey and Greece to the south, Macedonia and Serbia to the west, Romania to the north, and the Black Sea to the east. The capital, Sofia, lies in the western region of the country. Ethnic groups include Bulgarian, Turkish, Roma, and others....The government has decided to introduce a flat-tax rate of 10% for personal income, effective January 1, 2008, which will further decrease domestic labor costs and help reduce the share of the 'gray' economy. In response to local governments' demand for financial independence in 2006, parliament passed fiscal decentralization of municipalities, thus further enhancing local economic stability. Despite Bulgaria's many marked successes, organized crime and corruption remain problems." (Background Notes) Bulgaria's geography and people, history, government and political conditions, economy, defense, foreign relations and relations with the U.S. are described.
Descriptors: U.S., Foreign relations, Bulgaria

  Background Notes: Mali
Background Notes  Apr 2009; Lexile Score: 1330; 40K, SIRS Government Reporter
Summary: "Malians express great pride in their ancestry. Mali is the cultural heir to the succession of ancient African empires--Ghana, Malinke, and Songhai--that occupied the West African savannah. These empires controlled Saharan trade and were in touch with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern centers of civilization....Mali's per capita gross domestic product (GDP) of $470 (2006 est.) places it among the world's 10 poorest nations. Its potential wealth lies in mining and the production of agricultural commodities, livestock, and fish. Agricultural activities occupy 70% of Mali's labor force and provide 36% of the GDP. Cotton, gold, and livestock made up 80%-90% of total export earnings in Mali in 2006. Small-scale traditional farming dominates the agricultural sector, with subsistence farming--of cereals, primarily sorghum, millet, and maize--on about 90% of the 1.4 million hectares (3.4 million acres) under cultivation." (Background Notes) Mali's people, history, government and political conditions, economy, foreign relations, defense and relations with the United States are discussed.
Descriptors: U.S., Foreign relations, Mali

  Background Notes: Russia
Background Notes  Apr 2009; Lexile Score: 1380; 72K, SIRS Government Reporter
Summary: "Russia's educational system has produced nearly 100% literacy. About 7 million students attended Russia's 1,090 institutions of higher education in 2006, but continued reform is critical to producing students with skills to adapt to a market economy. Because great emphasis is placed on science and technology in education, Russian medical, mathematical, scientific, and space and aviation research is still generally of a high order....Currently Russia faces a demographic crisis as births lag far behind deaths. While its population is aging, skyrocketing deaths of working-age males due to cardiovascular disease is a major cause of Russia's demographic woes. A rapid increase in HIV/AIDS infections and tuberculosis compounds the problem. In 2007, life expectancy at birth was 61.4 for men and 73.9 for women. The large annual excess of deaths over births is expected to cut Russia's population by 30% over the next 50 years." ( Background Notes ) Russia's people, history, government and political conditions, economy, defense, and foreign and U.S. relations are described.
Descriptors: U.S., Foreign relations, Russia (Federation)

  Background Notes: South Korea
Background Notes  April 2009; Lexile Score: 1420; 44K, SIRS Government Reporter
Summary: "Korea's population is one of the most ethnically and linguistically homogenous in the world. Except for a small Chinese community (about 20,000), virtually all Koreans share a common cultural and linguistic heritage. With 48.85 million people, South Korea has one of the world's highest population densities....The Republic of Korea's economic growth over the past 30 years has been spectacular. Per capita GNP, only $100 in 1963, exceeded $16,000 in 2005. South Korea is now the United States' seventh-largest trading partner and is the 11th-largest economy in the world." (Background Notes) South Korea's people, history, government and political conditions, economy, foreign relations, and relations with the U.S. are discussed.
Descriptors: U.S., Foreign relations, Korea (South)

  Background Notes: Algeria
Background Notes  Mar 2009; Lexile Score: 1360; 44K, SIRS Government Reporter
Summary: "Algeria, the second-largest state in Africa, has a Mediterranean coastline of about 998 kilometers (620 mi.). The Tellian and Saharan Atlas mountain ranges cross the country from east to west, dividing it into three zones. Between the northern zone, Tellian Atlas, and the Mediterranean is a narrow, fertile coastal plain--the Tell (Arabic for hill)--with a moderate climate year round and rainfall adequate for agriculture....The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the Algerian economy, accounting for roughly 60% of budget revenues, nearly 30% of GDP, and over 97% of export earnings. Algeria has the ninth-largest reserves of natural gas in the world (2.7% of proven world total) and is the fourth-largest gas exporter; it ranks 14th for oil reserves (2006). Its key oil and gas customers are Italy, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. U.S. companies have played a major role in developing Algeria's oil and gas sector; of the $5.3 billion (on a historical-cost basis, according to statistics gathered by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis) of U.S. investment in Algeria, the vast bulk is in the petroleum sector." (Background Notes) Algeria's geography, people, history, government, political conditions, economy, defense and foreign and U.S. relations are discussed.
Descriptors: U.S., Foreign relations, Algeria

  Background Notes: Congo, Democratic Republic of
Background Notes  Mar 2009; Lexile Score: 1380; 45K, SIRS Government Reporter
Summary: "The Democratic Republic of the Congo (D.R.C.) includes the greater part of the Congo River basin, which covers an area of almost 1 million square kilometers (400,000 sq. mi.). The country's only outlet to the Atlantic Ocean is a narrow strip of land on the north bank of the Congo River....Sparsely populated in relation to its area, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is home to a vast potential of natural resources and mineral wealth. Nevertheless, the D.R.C. is one of the poorest countries in the world, with per capita annual income of about $120 in 2006. This is the result of years of mismanagement, corruption, and war." (Background Notes) The Democratic Republic of the Congo's geography, people, history, government and political conditions, economy, foreign relations, and U.S.-Congolese relations are examined.
Descriptors: U.S., Foreign relations, Congo (Democratic Republic)

  Background Notes: Ecuador
Background Notes  Mar 2009; Lexile Score: 1380; 32K, SIRS Government Reporter
Summary: "Ecuador's population is ethnically mixed. The largest ethnic groups are indigenous and mestizo (mixed Indian-Caucasian). Although Ecuadorians were heavily concentrated in the mountainous central highland region a few decades ago, today's population is divided about equally between that area and the coastal lowlands....The Ecuadorian economy is based on petroleum production, manufacturing primarily for the domestic market, and agricultural production for domestic consumption and export. Principal exports are petroleum, bananas, shrimp, flowers, and other primary agricultural products. In 2007, crude and refined petroleum products accounted for 58% of total export earnings. Ecuador is the world's largest exporter of bananas and plantains (about $1.3 billion) and a major exporter of shrimp ($613 million). Exports of nontraditional products such as flowers ($469 million), canned fish ($671 million) and automobiles ($383 million) have grown in recent years (all trade data from 2007)." (Background Notes) Ecuador's people, history, government, political conditions, economy, foreign relations and relations with the U.S. are surveyed.
Descriptors: U.S., Foreign relations, Ecuador

  Background Notes: Guyana
Background Notes  Mar 2009; Lexile Score: 1320; 35K, SIRS Government Reporter
Summary: "Guyana's population is made up of five main ethnic groups--East Indian, African, Amerindian, Chinese, and Portuguese. Ninety percent of the inhabitants live on the narrow coastal plain, where population density is more than 115 persons per square kilometer (380 per sq. mi.)....In 2008, the real gross domestic product (GDP) grew 3.1%, compared to 5.4% in 2007, despite falling commodity prices in the second half of 2008 and the weak performance of the country's vital sugar industry. Sugar industry output declined 15.1% in 2008. Delays in the startup of a major new factory, flooding, pest infestation and labor disputes contributed to this decline. However, rice industry output increased 10.5%, recording the highest annual production in five years as favorable price conditions encouraged farmers to expand acreage and upgrade equipment." (Background Notes) Guyana's people, history, government, political conditions, economy, foreign relations and relations with the U.S. are discussed.
Descriptors: U.S., Foreign relations, Guyana

  Background Notes: Kenya
Background Notes  Mar 2009; Lexile Score: 1370; 40K, SIRS Government Reporter
Summary: "Until post-election political unrest struck in early 2008, Kenya had, since independence, maintained considerable stability despite changes in its political system and crises in neighboring countries. This had been particularly true since the re-emergence of multiparty democracy and the accompanying increase in freedom (including freedom of speech, the press, and assembly).....Despite internal tensions in Sudan and Ethiopia, Kenya has maintained good relations with its northern neighbors. Recent relations with Uganda and Tanzania have improved as the three countries work for mutual economic benefit. Kenya has hosted and played an active role in the negotiations to resolve the civil war in Sudan and to reinstate a central government authority in Somalia." (Background Notes) Kenya's people, history, government, political conditions, economy, foreign relations, and relations with the U.S. are discussed.
Descriptors: U.S., Foreign relations, Kenya

  Background Notes: Macau
Background Notes  Mar 2009; Lexile Score: 1210; 18K, SIRS Government Reporter
Summary: "Macau's foreign relations and defense are the responsibility of China. China has, however, granted Macau considerable autonomy in economic and commercial relations....Macau's economy is based primarily on tourism, specifically casino gambling. Textile and garment manufacturing, once mainstays of the Macau economy, have diminished and efforts to diversify have spawned small industries, such as footwear, and machinery and mechanical appliances. The textile industry provided about 66% of export earnings in 2007, but total exports were only about 13% of Macau's total GDP. Gaming alone contributed almost 55% of GDP in 2007." (Background Notes) Macau's people, history, government, economy and foreign relations are discussed.
Descriptors: U.S., Foreign relations, Macao

  Background Notes: Malawi
Background Notes  Mar 2009; Lexile Score: 1320; 34K, SIRS Government Reporter
Summary: "Malawi is situated in southeastern Africa. The Great Rift Valley traverses the country from north to south. In this deep trough lies Lake Malawi, the third-largest lake in Africa, comprising about 20% of Malawi's area....Malawi's economic reliance on the export of agricultural commodities renders it particularly vulnerable to external shocks such as declining terms of trade and drought. High transport costs, which can comprise over 50% of its total import bill, constitute a serious impediment to economic development and trade. Malawi must import all its fuel products. Paucity of skilled labor; difficulty in obtaining expatriate employment permits; bureaucratic red tape; corruption; and inadequate and deteriorating transportation, electricity, water, and telecommunications infrastructure further hinder economic development in Malawi." (Background Notes) Malawi's geography, people, history, government and political conditions, economy, foreign relations and U.S.-Malawian relations are discussed.
Descriptors: U.S., Foreign relations, Malawi

  Background Notes: Mauritania
Background Notes  Mar 2009; Lexile Score: 1350; 20K, SIRS Government Reporter
Summary: "Politics in Mauritania have always been heavily influenced by personalities, with any leader's ability to exercise political power dependent upon control over resources; perceived ability or integrity; and tribal, ethnic, family, and personal considerations. Conflict among White Moor, Black Moor, and Black African Mauritanian groups, centering on language, land tenure, and other issues, continues to be a major challenge to national unity.....The U.S. Government fully supported Mauritania's transition to democracy, and congratulated Mauritania on the successful series of 2006-2007 parliamentary and presidential elections. The U.S. condemned the August 2005 coup and the unconstitutional assumption of power by the Military Council for Justice and Democracy, and called for a return to a constitutional government through free and fair elections as soon as possible. The United States provided election-related assistance for voter education, political party training, and democracy building." (Background Notes) Mauritania's history, economy, government and political conditions, foreign relations and relations with the United States are examined.
Descriptors: U.S., Foreign relations, Mauritania

  Background Notes: Mongolia
Background Notes  Mar 2009; Lexile Score: 1310; 42K, SIRS Government Reporter
Summary: "Life in sparsely populated Mongolia has recently become more urbanized. Nearly half of the people live in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, and in other provincial centers. Semi-nomadic life still predominates in the countryside, but settled agricultural communities are becoming more common....Mongolia's economy continues to be heavily influenced by its neighbors. For example, Mongolia purchases 80% of its petroleum products from Russia. China is Mongolia's chief export partner and a main source of the 'shadow,' or 'gray' economy. The gray--largely cash--economy is estimated to be at least one-third the size of the official economy, but actual size is difficult to quantify since the money does not pass through the hands of tax authorities or the banking sector. Remittances from Mongolians working abroad, both legally and illegally, constitute a sizeable portion. Money laundering is growing as an accompanying concern." (Background Notes) Mongolia's people, history, government, economy, foreign relations and relations with the U.S. are discussed. A chronology of Mongolian history from 1921 to the present is included.
Descriptors: U.S., Foreign relations, Mongolia

  Background Notes: Morocco
Background Notes  Mar 2009; Lexile Score: 1340; 34K, SIRS Government Reporter
Summary: "Moroccans are predominantly Sunni Muslims of Arab, Berber, or mixed Arab-Berber ancestry. The Arabs brought Islam, along with Arabic language and culture, to the region from the Arabian Peninsula during the Muslim conquests of the 7th century.....Macroeconomic stability, coupled with low inflation and relatively slow economic growth, has characterized the Moroccan economy over the past several years. The government continues to pursue reform, liberalization, and modernization aimed at stimulating growth and creating jobs. Employment, however, remains overly dependent on the agriculture sector, which is extremely vulnerable to inconsistent rainfall. Morocco's primary economic challenge is to accelerate growth in order to reduce high levels of unemployment and underemployment." ( Background Notes ) Morocco's people, history, government, political conditions, economy and U.S. and foreign relations are described.
Descriptors: U.S., Foreign relations, Morocco

  Background Notes: Namibia
Background Notes  Mar 2009; Lexile Score: 1370; 39K, SIRS Government Reporter
Summary: "Namibians are of diverse ethnic origins. The principal groups are the Ovambo, Kavango, Herero/Himba, Damara, mixed race ('colored' and Rehoboth Baster), white (Afrikaner, German, and Portuguese), Nama, Caprivian, San, and Tswana. The Ovambo make up about half of Namibia's people....The Namibian economy has a modern market sector, which produces most of the country's wealth, and a traditional subsistence sector. Namibia's gross domestic product (GDP) per capita is relatively high among developing countries but obscures one of the most unequal income distributions on the African continent. Although the majority of the population depends on subsistence agriculture and herding, Namibia has more than 200,000 skilled workers, as well as a small, well-trained professional and managerial class." (Background Notes) Namibia's people, history, government and political conditions, economy, national security, foreign relations and relations with the U.S. are explored.
Descriptors: U.S., Foreign relations, Namibia

  Background Notes: Romania
Background Notes  Mar 2009; Lexile Score: 1410; 52K, SIRS Government Reporter
Summary: "Extending inland halfway across the Balkan Peninsula and covering a large elliptical area of 237,499 square kilometers (91,699 sq. mi.), Romania occupies the greater part of the lower basin of the Danube River system and the hilly eastern regions of the middle Danube basin. It lies on either side of the mountain systems collectively known as the Carpathians, which form the natural barrier between the two Danube basins....Romania is a country of considerable potential: rich agricultural lands; diverse energy sources (coal, oil, natural gas, hydro, and nuclear); a substantial industrial base encompassing almost the full range of manufacturing activities; an educated work force; and opportunities for expanded development in tourism on the Black Sea and in the Carpathian mountains." (Background Notes) Romania's people, history, government, political conditions, economy, foreign relations and relations with the U.S. are discussed.
Descriptors: U.S., Foreign relations, Romania

  Background Notes: Samoa
Background Notes  Mar 2009; Lexile Score: 1260; 22K, SIRS Government Reporter
Summary: "Samoa consists of the two large islands of Upolu and Savai'i and seven small islets located about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand in the Polynesian region of the South Pacific. The main island of Upolu is home to nearly three-quarters of Samoa's population and its capital city of Apia....The Samoan economy is dependent on agricultural exports, tourism, and capital flows from abroad. The effects of three natural disasters in the early 1990s were overcome by the middle of the decade, but economic growth cooled again with the regional economic downturn. Long-run development depends upon upgrading the tourist infrastructure, attracting foreign investment, and further diversification of the economy." (Background Notes) Samoa's geography, people, history, government, political conditions, economy, foreign and U.S. relations are discussed.
Descriptors: U.S., Foreign relations, Samoa

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