Monday, December 31, 2012

Country Profiles: Chad

Chad is located in Africa.
Chad, part of France's African holdings until 1960, endured three decades of civil warfare as well as invasions by Libya before a semblance of peace was finally restored in 1990. The government eventually drafted a democratic constitution and held flawed presidential elections in 1996 and 2001. In 1998, a rebellion broke out in northern Chad, which has sporadically flared up despite several peace agreements between the government and the rebels. In 2005, new rebel groups emerged in western Sudan and made probing attacks into eastern Chad despite signing peace agreements in December 2006 and October 2007. In June 2005, President Idriss DEBY held a referendum successfully removing constitutional term limits and won another controversial election in 2006. Sporadic rebel campaigns continued throughout 2006 and 2007. The capital experienced a significant rebel threat in early 2008, but has had no significant rebel threats since then, in part due to Chad's 2010 rapprochement with Sudan, which previously used Chadian rebels as proxies. DEBY in 2011 was reelected to his fourth term in an election that international observers described as proceeding without incident. Power remains in the hands of an ethnic minority.
CIA World Factbook
With an area of 1.284 million sq km, it is slightly more than three times the size of the U.S. state of California.

Chad shares a border with Cameroon, Central African Republic, Libya, Niger, Nigeria, and Sudan. It is mostly broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in northwest, and lowlands in south.



People who live in Chad are called Chadians, which is also an adjective used to describe something from this country. As of July 2012, there are 10,975,648 people in Chad. The ethnic groups that reside in Chad are Sara (27.7%), Arab (12.3%), Mayo-Kebbi (11.5%), Kanem-Bornou (9%), Ouaddai (8.7%), Hadjarai (6.7%), Tandjile (6.5%), Gorane (6.3%), and Fitri-Batha (4.7%). French and Arabic are the official languages, but Sara is also spoken in the south, and more than 120 different languages and dialects are spoken there. Muslims make up 53.1% of the population, Catholics (20.1%), Protestants (14.2%), animist (7.3%), and atheist (3.1%) make up the rest.

The country's official name is the Republic of Chad, locally known as Republique du Tchad or Jumhuriyat Tshad. The capital is N'Djamena, and the country is made up of 22 regions. Though Chad gained independence from France on August 11, 1960, a constitution was not passed until March 31, 1996. The constitution can be found here through Constitution Finder. The current president is Idriss Deby Itno; the current prime minister is Emmanuel Nadingar. Information about the leaders of Chad's government can be found here. The currency is the Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (abbreviated XAF), which stands at 471.87 XAF per USD as of 2011.



All of this information was gathered from the CIA World Factbook. For more information, check out these resources...

Chad, CIA World Factbook

Background Notes: Chad, U.S. Department of State

2011 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Chad, U.S. Department of State.

You can also check out the Country Studies tab on our Fed Docs libguide here for more resources on all of the countries.




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Monday, December 24, 2012

President Obama's Weekly Address (12/22/2012)




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Country Profiles: Central African Republic

Central African Republic is located in Africa.
The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly by military governments - civilian rule was established in 1993 and lasted for one decade. President Ange-Felix PATASSE's civilian government was plagued by unrest, and in March 2003 he was deposed in a military coup led by General Francois BOZIZE, who established a transitional government. Though the government has the tacit support of civil society groups and the main parties, a wide field of candidates contested the municipal, legislative, and presidential elections held in March and May of 2005 in which General BOZIZE was affirmed as president. BOZIZE was reelected in the 2011 elections, which were widely viewed as having gross inaccuracies and discrepancies. The government still does not fully control the countryside, where pockets of lawlessness persist. Militant group Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) continues to affect stability in the Central African Republic as well.
CIA World Factbook
With an area of 622,984 sq km, it is slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Texas.

Central African Republic shares a border with Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and Sudan. It is mostly vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau with scattered hills in northeast and southwest.



People who live in Central African Republic are called Central Africans, which is also an adjective used to describe something from this country. As of July 2012, there are 5,057,208 people in Central African Republic. The ethnic groups that reside in the Central African Republic are mostly Baya (33%) and Banda (27%) with some Mandjia (13%), Sara (10%), Mboum (7%), M'Baka (4%), and Yakoma (4%). While French is the official language, Sangho and other tribal languages are also spoken there. Indigenous beliefs make up 35% of the population, while Protestants (25%), Roman Catholics (25%), and Muslims (15%) make up the rest.

The country's local long name is Republique Centrafricaine. The capital is Bangui, and the country is made up of 14 prefectures and 2 economic prefectures. Though Central African Republic gained independence from the the French on August 13, 1960, a constitution was not adopted until December 28, 1994. The constitution can be found here through Constitution Finder. The current president is Francois Bozize. Information about the leaders of Central African Republic's government can be found here. The currency is the Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (abbreviated XAF), which stands at 471.87 XAF per USD as of 2011.



All of this information was gathered from the CIA World Factbook. For more information, check out these resources...

Central African Republic, CIA World Factbook

Background Notes: Central African Republic, U.S. Department of State

2011 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Central African Republic, U.S. Department of State.

You can also check out the Country Studies tab on our Fed Docs libguide here for more resources on all of the countries.


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Friday, December 21, 2012

60 Minutes (12/16/2012)




Sonnet Ireland
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Thursday, December 20, 2012

Meet the Press (12/16/2012)

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Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Face the Nation (12/16/2012)




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Tuesday, December 18, 2012

President Obama's Weekly Address (12/15/2012)




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Country Profile




Sonnet Ireland
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Monday, December 17, 2012

Washington Week (12/14/2012)

Watch Conn. School Shooting, Susan Rice Yields and Fiscal Cliff on PBS. See more from Washington Week.


Watch Conn. School Shooting, Susan Rice Yields and Fiscal Cliff on PBS. See more from Washington Week.




Sonnet Ireland
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Country Profile: Cayman Islands

Cayman Islands are located in the Caribbean.
The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries and were administered by Jamaica after 1863. In 1959, the islands became a territory within the Federation of the West Indies. When the Federation dissolved in 1962, the Cayman Islands chose to remain a British dependency.
CIA World Factbook
With an area of 264 sq km, it is 1.5 times the size of the U.S. capital, Washington, D.C.

Cayman Islands are located in the Caribbean Sea near Central America. It is a low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs.



People who live in the Cayman Islands are called Caymanians, which is also an adjective used to describe something from this country. As of July 2012, there are 52,560 people in the Cayman Islands. The ethnic groups that reside in the Cayman Islands are mostly mixed race (40%) with some white (20%), black (20%), and expatriates of various ethnic groups (20%). English (95%) is the official language of Cape Verde, but Spanish (3.2%) and other languages (1.8%) are also spoken there. Protestants make up approximately 67.7% of the population, while Roman Catholics make up an additional 12.6%.

The capital of the Cayman Islands is George Town, and the country is made up of 8 districts. Though the Cayman Islands are an overseas territory of the UK, they do have a constitution, drafted November 6, 2009. The constitution can be found here through Constitution Finder. Though the chief of state is Queen Elizabeth II (who is represented by Governor Duncan Taylor), the head of government is Premier McKeeva Bush. The currency is the Caymanian dollars (abbreviated KYD), which stands at 0.83 KYD per USD as of 2011.



All of this information was gathered from the CIA World Factbook. For more information, check out these resources...

Cayman Islands, CIA World Factbook

Background Notes: Cayman Islands, U.S. Department of State

You can also check out the Country Studies tab on our Fed Docs libguide here for more resources on all of the countries.




Sonnet Ireland
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Friday, December 14, 2012

60 Minutes (12/9/2012)




Sonnet Ireland
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Thursday, December 13, 2012

Meet the Press (12/9/2012)

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy




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Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Face the Nation (12/9/2012)




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Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Presidential Weekly Address (12/8/2012)




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Monday, December 10, 2012

Washington Week (12/7/2012)

Watch Fiscal cliff stalemate and DeMint's resignation on PBS. See more from Washington Week.




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Country Profiles: Cape Verde

Cape Verde is located in Africa.
The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; Cape Verde subsequently became a trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Following independence in 1975, and a tentative interest in unification with Guinea-Bissau, a one-party system was established and maintained until multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cape Verde continues to exhibit one of Africa's most stable democratic governments. Repeated droughts during the second half of the 20th century caused significant hardship and prompted heavy emigration. As a result, Cape Verde's expatriate population is greater than its domestic one. Most Cape Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents.
CIA World Factbook
With an area of 4,033 sq km, it is slightly larger than the U.S. state of Rhode Island.

Cape Verde is a group of islands surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean. It is mostly steep, rugged, rocky, and volcanic.



People who live in Cape Verde are called Cape Verdeans, which is also an adjective used to describe something from this country. As of July 2012, there are 523,568 people in Cape Verde. The ethnic groups that reside in Cape Verde are mostly Creole (71%) with some African (28%) and European (1%). Portuguese is the official language, but Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words) is also spoken there. The main religions of Cape Verde are Roman Catholicism (infused with indigenous beliefs) and Protestantism (mostly Church of the Nazarene).

The country's official name is Republic of Cape Verde (or Republica de Cabo Verde). The capital is Praia, and the country is made up of 17 municipalities. Though Cape Verde gained independence from Portugal on July 5, 1975, a constitution was not drafted until September 25, 1992. The constitution can be found here (in Portuguese) through Constitution Finder. The current president is Jorge Carlos de Almeida Fonseca. Information about the leaders of Cape Verde's government can be found here. The currency is the Cape Verdean escudos(abbreviated CVE), which stands at 79.323 CVE per USD as of 2011.



All of this information was gathered from the CIA World Factbook. For more information, check out these resources...

Cape Verde Government Site (in Portuguese)

Cape Verde, CIA World Factbook

Background Notes: Cape Verde, U.S. Department of State

2011 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Cape Verde, U.S. Department of State.

You can also check out the Country Studies tab on our Fed Docs libguide here for more resources on all of the countries.




Sonnet Ireland
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Friday, December 7, 2012

60 Minutes (12/2/2012)




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Thursday, December 6, 2012

Meet the Press (12/2/2012)

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Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Face the Nation (12/2/2012)




Sonnet Ireland
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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

President Obama's Weekly Address (12/1/2012)




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Monday, December 3, 2012

Washington Week (11/30/2012)

Watch Political Maneuvering Over The Looming Fiscal Cliff on PBS. See more from Washington Week.



Watch Political Maneuvering Over The Looming Fiscal Cliff on PBS. See more from Washington Week.




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Country Profiles: Canada

Canada is located in North America.
A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to the British crown. Economically and technologically, the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across the World's longest unfortified border. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care, education, social services, and economic competitiveness, as well as responding to the particular concerns of predominantly francophone Quebec. Canada also aims to develop its diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the environment. CIA World Factbook
. With an area of 9,984,670 sq km, it is slightly Larger than the U.S.

Canada shares a border with the U.S. It is mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast.



People who live in Canada are called Canadians, which is also an adjective used to describe something from this country. As of July 2012, there are 34,300,083 people in Canada. The ethnic groups that reside in Canada are mostly British Isles origin (28%) or French origin (23%), with other European (15%), Amerindian (2%), other Asian, African, Arab (6%), and mixed background (26%). The official languages are English (58.8%) and French (21.6%). Roman Catholics make up approximately 42.6% of the population, while Protestants make up an additional 23.3%.

The capital of Canada is Ottawa, and the country is made up of 10 provinces and 3 territories. Canada gained independence from Great Britain in 1867, and a constitution was drafted that year. The current Prime Minister of Canada is Stephen Joseph Harper, and the Governor is David Johnston. Information about the leaders of Canada's government can be found here. The currency is the Canadian Dollar (abbreviated CAD), which stands at .9895 CAD per USD as of 2011.



All of this information was gathered from the CIA World Factbook. For more information, check out these resources...

Canada Government Site

Canada, CIA World Factbook

Background Notes: Canada, U.S. Department of State

2011 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Canada, U.S. Department of State.

You can also check out the Country Studies tab on our Fed Docs libguide here for more resources on all of the countries.




Sonnet Ireland
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