Research Guides: HIST 226: History of Human Rights (BMC): International and UN Sources

Country Background

CIA World Fact Book This link opens in a new window
Provides detailed profiles of all of the countries of the world. Offers information on each country's geography, people, government, economy, communications, military, and transnational issues, as well as maps and flag images. Covers 2000 - present in PDF; current interactive edition is continually updated.

CIA World Leaders
This is the updated online directory of Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members of Foreign Governments.
Library of Congress Country Profiles
Country Profiles offer brief, summarized information on a country’s historical background, geography, society, economy, transportation and telecommunications, government and politics, and national security.
Library of Congress Country Studies
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.
U.S. State Department Background Notes
These publications include facts about the land, people, history, government, political conditions, economy, and foreign relations of independent states, some dependencies, and areas of special sovereignty.

Congressional Quarterly (CQ) Researcher
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Original reporting and analysis on issues in the news, focusing on the economy, education, the environment, health, international affairs, social trends, and technology. Published weekly, 1991-present.

EUROPA - Gateway to the European Union
Provides up-to-date coverage of European Union affairs and essential information on European integration.

UNdata This link opens in a new window
A single entry portal for UN databases. Find data series by searching or browsing by theme. Includes Country Profiles, Advanced Search and Glossaries to aid research. All countries and a wide range of themes are covered.
UN Documentation Centre This link opens in a new window
Provides access to documents and publications issued by the United Nations, including reports, resolutions, meeting records, sales publications, and press releases. Features full-text recent materials from the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Secretariat, International Court of Justice, and Trusteeship Council, as well as online catalogs for finding older materials. Updated continuously.

UN documents in print
Canaday Library also has print copies of a number of major UN publications relating to human rights, including the "Yeabook of Human Rights (1946-1979), the UN "Yearbook" (1946-present) and the UN weekly and monthly periodicals issued since 1946. They can be found on the B-level of Canaday as part of the government documents section, shelved after the Zs.