The Central Intelligence Agency's report on countries in our listing. 

 Link to the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Country Profiles for
 the countries in our listing.

  British Foreign Office Travel Safety Alerts for business & tourist travellers. 

  The British Foreign Office provides travel advice for business and tourist
   travel to most countries. This link will connect you.
  
  Link to World Governments - Ministries, Departments and contacts.

  Link to overview of country listed, including political and topographic maps.

Embassy   Each country's Embassy located in Washington DC is shown thus. Strange as it may seem in the 21st Century but some countries still do not have an Embassy web site.  Others have to be linked to their UN Delegation web site.

UNITED NATIONS  We have listed the countries that have permanent missions to the United Nations with this link to their United Nations Mission web site.

Languages   A primer on the languages spoken in the country.

Travel Guide   All you need to know if traveling to the country.

Pictures   Pictures of the country, its people and its cities.

Universities   A listing of major Universities within the country.

NATIONAL STATISTICS  The Official Government Reports of a Nation's Statistics. For countries that do not post Statistics (English) we use data from the World Bank.

GDP $  -   We give World Health Organization economic statistics on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita for almost every Country listed. Click on the blue number given to see a regional comparison chart. For countries not listed by the WHO we give CIA data.

Population -  Accepted number of people living in the country January 1st, 2004.

Living In Poverty - % of the population  Note: Living in Poverty in Afghanistan or Mozambique is far different to living in poverty in Northern Europe or the United States.  In Developed Countries N/A means Not Applicable - in Un-Developed Countries N/A means Not Available.

 -  Population Reference Bureau Data Finder Information. The % after the entry is the Growth or Decline in population expected (including migrations.) See: Population

Land Area -  The number of sq. km. shown is the actual land area of the listed country, bodies of water within that country are not included.

Population Density - The number of people now living within the country per sq. km. of land area - these are United Nations statistics.

Literacy -  We have listed the latest percentages of the population over the age of 15 years able to read and write. i.e. male: 47%, female 15%  

Life Expectancy - We have listed life expectancy of men and women at birth.

Environmental & Ecological Factors - Link to information on this subject by Country. Click on the link, then click on the subject you wish to research (i.e.: Water Resources) then scroll down to and click on the Country you require data for.

Trafficking in Human Beings Report -  US Department of State Report. Source

Human Rights Report - US Department of State Country Briefs on Human Rights.

Age of Consent. - Legal Age of Sexual Consent.   Source

International Migration Profile - United Nations Data on Migration.  Source

Women 15-49 with HIV/AIDS - Percentage of women infected. Source

National Intelligence Quotient - The Average Intelligence Quotient is 100. 

Corruption Index  -  Transparency International Data. 

Armed Forces -  Includes various data on Land, Sea and Air Forces and Budgets.

World Bank Report - World Bank Country Report

International Monetary Fund - International Monetary Fund Country Report

USAID Grants taken 1962-2003 - $ - United States authorized Grants to foreign Nations.

News Sources -  English Language Local News sources.

World Health Organization   -  An overview of the Health situation within the country.

Freedom House Report   -   Freedom House Country Freedom Rankings.

World Trade Organization  -  WTO Member Nations Report.

Newspaper  -  National Newspapers & Business Publications published in English.

Stock Exchange - Stock Exchanges that are presented real-time in English.

Chambers of Commerce  -  Link takes you to the World Chambers Network. Pick the Country or Territory you want and click on search for the links you will require.

 Wikipedia Overview - Link takes you to the Wikipedia Encyclopaedia. 

Current Conflicts - Link takes you to an update on conflicts the Nation is engaged in.

  TODAY'S NEWS - News relating to the country from around the world.

 Currency exchange rates for Local Currency. 

  Local weather conditions today.

John Hathaway-Bates
President & Executive Director

On February 14th, 1982, John Hathaway-Bates founded The Business Forum in Beverly Hills, California. At the time of establishing The Business Forum John was recognized as a Commercial Tactician with wide experience on four continents having served as President, or Corporate Vice President, for several multi-national Corporations. He was elected a Fellow of the British Society of Commerce, the Institute of Buyers, the British Institute of Directors, the British Institute of Administrative Accountants, the Institute of Purchasing and Supply; and was elected to be a member of the Institute of Marketing, the Institute of Management and the Institute of Journalists. He has written many articles and several books, including :"Tactics". "How to Promote Your Business", "How to Organize Your Marketing" and "Fast Track Marketing in a Global Economy", he also wrote the "Contract Procedure and Specification Advice" sections of the Architect's & Specifier's Guide Series for A4 Publications, Ltd. and innovated and wrote for The Office Planner published by Benn Brothers of London; he has also had published several articles on "Color, Texture & Design", and he wrote the "Executive Guide to Office Space Planning & Design" for the American Management Association. He has had published many other works in Europe and America and has lectured in Europe, Asia, Africa and America, at Universities and to professional audiences on subjects that have ranged from multi-national accounting practices, business development, to office management, industrial, interior, product and commercial design to tactical and strategic international marketing and management. He has also written and lectured on etiquette and business ethics.