The CIA World Factbook 2013 offers complete and up-to-date information on the world's nations. This comprehensive guide contains detailed information on the politics, populations, military expenditures, economics, geopolitical maps, and diplomat contact information. Appendices offer abbreviations, a list of organizations, and conversion tables. Also available as an online resource, the Central Intelligence Agency publishes The World Factbook, which provides maps and general information about more than 250 countries. The resource is free, current, and extensive.
United States, Central Intelligence Agency. (2012). The CIA World Factbook 2013. Skyhorse Pub.
Central Intelligence Agency. (2013). CIA - The World Factbook. Retrieved April 11, 2013 from https://www.cia.gov/index.html
UNdata is a database containing a world of information provided by the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) for the global user community. This internet based data service bring United Nations statistical databases to the user. The database has country profiles plus numerous databases, tgables and glossaries on themes of interest to the international business traveler for business and personal information such as crime, employment, health, industry, and information and communication technology. This type of information helps set the context for the location where you are going to do business from the perspective of the United Nations.
United Nations Statistical Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations. (n.d.) UNdata. Retrieved from http://data.un.org
News Bank: Access World News is a comprehensive collection of full text newspapers globally. It provides extensive coverage at the local, state, regional, national and international level. Fully searchable and web-based, Access World News features the vast majority of U.S. newspapers along with hard-to-find local and regional titles. Access World News also offers searchable news video clips and more than 2,000 international news sources from countries on six continents, translated into English when written in other languages. Available in many libraries, use this daily updated database to access news and current events in the international destination where you are doing business. Information about the database is available at the News Bank website.
Barbara Ripp Safford reviewed Access World News for ARBA in 2011 and noted it is a useful provider of newspaper information. Read the review here with access to Rebecca Crown Library databases.
Facts on File World News Digest brings together years of news into an easy-to-search database. It provides archived articles on a wide range of topics, including political, social, and economic events from World News Digest. It is updated twice per week, and includes a newsfeed. The database features primary source documents and special features on high-interest topics, coverage of current events, and content from the World Almanac. This digest resource to world wide current events can be useful when you don't have time to access the full-text articles available elsewhere. Available from many public libraries, more information about this database is available here.
Shannon Graff Hysell, from the staff of Llibraries Unlimited reviewed World News Digest for ARBA in 2012 and recommended this database. Click here for the ARBA review with access to the Rebecca Crown Library databases.
CultureGrams go beyond facts and figures to deliver an insider's perspective on daily llife and culture, including history, customs, and lifestyles of the world's people. This reference database contains information on countries and territories with particular emphasis on customs, lifestyles and social conditions. The World Edition covers more than 200 countries and territories and is suitable for adults. Cultural reports for more than 200 countries each include 25 categories such as land and climate, history, personal appearance, greetings, dating and marriage, family, diet, housing, holidays, economy, education, and health. Available in many public libraries, find more information about CultureGrams here.
Catherine Barr, an editor of young adult reference services for Libraries Unlimited has reviewed the online version of CultureGrams for ARBA in 2009 and found the World Edition an acceptable reference resource for junior and high school students. In a 2002 ARBA review by Adrienne Antink the two volume set was identified for students, teachers, and adult tourists. As such, this resource makes a satisfactory quick-read cultural resource for personal interactions international interactions. If your children are traveling with you, this resource will be suitable for them to get a feeling for the destination. Read the ARBA reviews here with access from the Rebecca Crown Library.
Proper business communication includes everything from emails to eye contact, and the rules of what is "right" in other countries can be difficult to navigate. Global Business Etiquette: A guide to international communication and customs, 2nd ed. provides critical information that business people will benefit from understanding. Use the information in this book to avoid embarrassing situations and succeed in business outside of the United States. Topics include appropriate conversation topics, dress and travel, attitudes toward religion, education, status, and social class; and cultural variations in public behavior. Also, ten countries that Americans do the most business with are highlighted for international readers.
The first edition of this book was reviewed in 2006 in Choice Online Review. and the authors praised for their comprehensive treatment of the subject and the book is highly recommended. Read the Choice Online Review here with access to the Rebecca Crown Library databases.
Martin, J. and Chaney, L. (2012), Global Business Etiquette: A guide to international communication and customs.(2nd ed.) Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger.
Bibliography of Review Sources
American Reference Books Annual Online. (2013). American Reference Books Annual.
CHOICE Reveiws Online. (2013). Association of College & Research Libraries, American Library Association.
The CIA World Factbook 2013 offers complete and up-to-date information on the world's nations. This comprehensive guide contains detailed information on the politics, populations, military expenditures, economics, geopolitical maps, and diplomat contact information. Appendices offer abbreviations, a list of organizations, and conversion tables. Also available as an online resource, the Central Intelligence Agency publishes The World Factbook, which provides maps and general information about more than 250 countries. The resource is free, current, and extensive.
UNdata is a database containing a world of information provided by the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) for the global user community. This internet based data service bring United Nations statistical databases to the user. The database has country profiles plus numerous databases, tgables and glossaries on themes of interest to the international business traveler for business and personal information such as crime, employment, health, industry, and information and communication technology. This type of information helps set the context for the location where you are going to do business from the perspective of the United Nations.
News Bank: Access World News is a comprehensive collection of full text newspapers globally. It provides extensive coverage at the local, state, regional, national and international level. Fully searchable and web-based, Access World News features the vast majority of U.S. newspapers along with hard-to-find local and regional titles. Access World News also offers searchable news video clips and more than 2,000 international news sources from countries on six continents, translated into English when written in other languages. Available in many libraries, use this daily updated database to access news and current events in the international destination where you are doing business. Information about the database is available at the 
Facts on File World News Digest brings together years of news into an easy-to-search database. It provides archived articles on a wide range of topics, including political, social, and economic events from World News Digest. It is updated twice per week, and includes a newsfeed. The database features primary source documents and special features on high-interest topics, coverage of current events, and content from the World Almanac. This digest resource to world wide current events can be useful when you don't have time to access the full-text articles available elsewhere. Available from many public libraries, more information about this database is available 
CultureGrams go beyond facts and figures to deliver an insider's perspective on daily llife and culture, including history, customs, and lifestyles of the world's people. This reference database contains information on countries and territories with particular emphasis on customs, lifestyles and social conditions. The World Edition covers more than 200 countries and territories and is suitable for adults. Cultural reports for more than 200 countries each include 25 categories such as land and climate, history, personal appearance, greetings, dating and marriage, family, diet, housing, holidays, economy, education, and health. Available in many public libraries, find more information about CultureGrams 
Proper business communication includes everything from emails to eye contact, and the rules of what is "right" in other countries can be difficult to navigate. Global Business Etiquette: A guide to international communication and customs, 2nd ed. provides critical information that business people will benefit from understanding. Use the information in this book to avoid embarrassing situations and succeed in business outside of the United States. Topics include appropriate conversation topics, dress and travel, attitudes toward religion, education, status, and social class; and cultural variations in public behavior. Also, ten countries that Americans do the most business with are highlighted for international readers.