In its description of these reports, the Library of Congress states: "[These reports were] previously published in hard copy by the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress under the Country Studies/Area Handbook Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Army... the original intent of the Series' sponsor was to focus primarily on lesser known areas of the world or regions in which U.S. forces might be deployed. Notable omissions include Canada, France, the United Kingdom, and other Western nations, as well as a number of African nations. 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 are shaped by cultural factors. The authors have sought to adhere to accepted standards of scholarly objectivity. Information contained in the Country Studies On-Line is not copyrighted and thus is available for free and unrestricted use by researchers."
Representative subheadings for Geography include Physical Environment, Topography, Climate, and Environmental Issues; subheadings for Society sections include Historical Setting, specific Historical periods, Society and its Environment, Geography, Population, Language, Structure of Society, Ethnic Groups, Religion and Culture, Rural Life, Migration, Urban Life, Architecture, The Arts, Education, and Social Dynamics; and subheadings for Economy sections include Growth and Structure, Role of Government, Agriculture, Industry, Infrastructure, and Foreign Economic Relations. Representative subheadings for Government and Politics sections include Constitutional Background, Government Institutions, Political Dynamics, Interest Groups, Parties, Mass Communications, Human Rights, and Foreign Relations. Subheadings for National Security include Military Role in Society, Armed Forces, Military Education, Training, and Rules of Conduct, Security Forces, Foreign Military Influence and Assistance, Threats to Internal Security, and Crime and Punishment.
Please see the Table of Contents tab for a full list of the countries included in these studies.
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