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"It is impossible for ideas to compete in the marketplace if no forum for
  their presentation is provided or available."           Thomas Mann, 1896

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AFRICA MAP     ASIA MAP    CARIBBEAN MAP    EUROPE MAP    NORTH AMERICA MAP    OCEANIA MAP     SOUTH AMERICA MAP

Click on the first letter of the name of the Country you wish to research. Then scroll down that page to find your choice
A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

CLICK ON THE FLAG OF THE COUNTRY YOU WISH TO RESEARCH IN THE COLUMN ON THE RIGHT
 THEN SCROLL DOWN THE PAGE THAT YOU RETRIEVE TO FIND THE COUNTRY YOU WANT      
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Key to Reading the World Information Pages

Please Note: For you to be able to gain full value from this web site you will need to learn what all of the symbols below mean.  Various data bases throughout the world show different statistics, and so we have done our best to check with governments and some other reliable sources (including our friends, members, supporters and our many contacts in the Diplomatic Corps and the International Media Community, living in the countries involved). If you should find a mistake on our site, or just know a better source of facts and data; please let us know.

100 Questions to establish what you know about your World ~ Click Here

 Animated Arrow   Find the Country you wish to research ~ then click on the icons as shown below for info Animated Arrow


CLICK ON THE NATIONAL FLAG FOR COUNTRY FACTS    
We have linked each country to the United States of America Department of State - Background Notes.  Click on the country's flag to access this information. 

        animated large gold symbol of Islam    elaborate celtic cross            budded cross     Greek cross    gold buddhist wheel animated    animated gold OM, large     anamated large gold Star of David     3D Animation : red star 90%
              Muslim   Catholic  Protestant  Orthodox  Alternative   Buddhist    Hindu     Jewish   Atheist   Communist               
 

The majorit
y Religion of each Country is listed using a recognized symbol   (see RELIGION  below), the % number is the estimated size of the Majority. Map of the Religious World

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.

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

Animated Sphere  The British Foreign Office provides travel advice for business and tourist
   travel to most countries. This link will connect you.


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.

     The United States Central Intelligence Agency's report on countries in our listing. 
Home
 Link to the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Country Profiles for
 the countries in our listing.

 Australian Coat of Arms.png    Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Country Profiles.

       Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Country Reports.

  Link to World Governments - Ministries, Departments and contacts.

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

National Intelligence Services  We have listed the National Intelligence Services links for those countries where such data is available.

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 or other sources.

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.

Public Debt (National Debt) - is provided as a percentage (%) of GDP.  In Developed Countries N/A means Not Applicable - in Un-Developed Countries N/A means Not Available.  Source

 -  Population Reference Bureau Data Finder Information. The % after the entry is the Growth or Decline in population expected between 2000 and 2050 (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

Adults 15-49 with HIV/AIDS - Percentage of the Population 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

United States US AID Payments    - U.S. authorized financial aid 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.

   Local Time.  This link will take you to an International Time locator, find the name of the country in the listing, click, and you have the time there now.

   Link to Amnesty International - Country Human Rights Report. 

  Prison Population of the World (by Country)

The Maltese Cross  Slavery in the 21st Century - Data on Modern Day Human Trafficking & Slavery.

Fiji Sunset.Island Vulnerability - Island Nations suffer vulnerabilities that other Nations do not             have to expect.  This link leads to information regarding this factor of Government.

Animated flag of Arab League  Member of the League of Arab States - Map

  Member of the Commonwealth of Nations (The British Empire) - Map

Animated Flag of OAS (Organization of American States)    Member of the Organization of American States - Map

Animated Flag of OAU (Organization of African Unity)    Member of the African Union  Map

Animated Flag of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)     Member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) - Map

Animated Flag of European Union  Member of the European Union - Map

  Member of the Association of South East Asian Nations - Map

Animated Flag of CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States)  Member of the Commonwealth of Independent States (ex-Soviet Union)

Image link to homepage  USAID - Loans and Grants made by the United States Congress to Foreign Countries.

  This symbol indicates that the State Department of the United States Government has
  deemed that this Country is considered a State Sponsor of International Terrorism.


RELIGION

NATIONS WITH MAJORITY MUSLIM  POPULATIONS

animated large gold symbol of Islam

Map of the Muslim World
(Showing Sunni & Shia Majorities)


NATIONS WITH MAJORITY CHRISTIAN POPULATIONS

 
elaborate celtic cross
Catholic   Protestant   budded cross Orthodox


NATIONS WITH MAJORITY BUDDHIST POPULATIONS

gold buddhist wheel animated



NATIONS WITH MAJORITY HINDU POPULATIONS

animated gold OM, large


NATIONS WITH MAJORITY COMMUNIST POPULATIONS

3D Animation : red star

NATIONS WITH MAJORITY JEWISH POPULATIONS

anamated large gold Star of David



Major Religious Groups of the World Ranked by Number of Adherents

Map of religious majority of the Worlds Countries

A Basic Overview of the World's Major Religions

Alphabetical Listing of the Worlds Religions

Religious Majorities by State in the United States of America


Largest Religious Groups in the United States of America


The Central Intelligence Agency's 21st Century World Facts Report



THE WAR ON TERRORISM



The States of Iran, Syria, Cuba, North Korea and the Sudan
 are the five governments that the United States Secretary of State
has designated as state sponsors of international terrorism.

US Department of State - Counter Terrorism

US Department of Homeland Security
     


Animated ArrowAnimated ArrowNations with Colonies & Foreign Territories

      (AUSTRALIA)   Commonwealth of Australia
        (CHINA)  
People's Republic of China
  
        (DENMARK)  Kingdom of Denmark
        (FRANCE)  French Republic 
       
(FINLAND)  Republic of Finland
        (NETHERLANDS)  Kingdom of the Netherlands
      (NEW ZEALAND)  New Zealand
       (NORWAY)   Kingdom of Norway
        (PORTUGAL)  Portuguese Republic
           (SPAIN)  Kingdom of Spain
       (U.K.)  United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland
        (U.S.A.)  United States of America

Those entities that are Colonies, self governed locally or are Foreign Territories we have
 identified on this page by putting the Flag of the Sovereign Nation next to their listing.


Could, Should or Would be Countries

(Functioning Countries Not Recognized by the United Nations Organization)

Those Nations that are not recognised by the United Nations we have
identified on this page with the following caption next to their listing.

Not Recognized by the United Nations


 Animated Right Arrow  Put yourself on our Up-Dates Email List 


 
The Etiquette of Formal & Business Dining


       

Hot Spots of the World

War, Insurrection, Terrorism & Genocide
Reports from around the World


Freedom of the Press

Although we have listed as many English Language newspapers and other business publications as we can find, we would point out that not all publications have the Freedom of the Press enjoyed by those in North America and Europe.  So, we suggest you check the Freedom House - Freedom of the Press Report, before reading any of the newspapers or other publications listed on this site.


Flags & Animations Courtesy of:
 
3DFlags.com
Multimedia Palace
Webdeveloper.com


Editorial Policy

Nothing you read in World Information should ever be construed to be the opinion of, or condoned by, or advice from, The Business Forum, its staff, officers, members, directors, sponsors or shareholders. We pass no opinion whatsoever upon the content of what we publish, nor do we accept any responsibility for the claims, or any of the statements made, within anything published herein.  We merely aim to provide an academic forum and information sourcing vehicle for the benefit of the business community of the Pacific States of America.  Readers must determine for themselves where the comments, statements and advice that is published herein are gained from and act, or not act, upon what is published herein entirely and always at their own risk.  We accept absolutely no liability whatsoever, nor do we take any responsibility for what anyone does or does not do based upon what is published herein, or the information gained through use of the links to other web sites we have included herein.  

Please refer to our:  legal disclaimer



John Hathaway-Bates
President & Executive Director
The Business Forum Institute

John Hathaway-Bates was born and educated in Oxford, England. He served with the Royal Air Force in the 1950’s serving in Africa, the Persian Gulf and on the Arabian Peninsula.  During the 1960’s he was the lead singer with The Tribe, and later with The Foundation in Great Britain.  He also had a contract as a song writer with Acuff Rose, Nashville, Tennessee.

In the 1960's and the 1970’s John was recognized as one of the leading commercial Interior Designers in the United Kingdom, and worked on projects for many multi-national corporations, restaurants and academic institutions. He wrote the "Contract Procedure and Specification Advice" sections of the Architect's and Specifier's Guide Series (A4 Publications, Ltd.) and he innovated and wrote for The Office Planner (Benn Brothers Ltd.) He has published several articles on "Colour, Texture & Design", and he wrote a  weekly Interior Design column for Westminster Newspapers Ltd.  He wrote the "Executive Guide to Office Space Planning and Design" (American Management Association.)

John has been the President, Managing Director or Corporate Vice President for several multi-national corporations in the United Kingdom, The Netherlands and the United States of America.  He moved to the United States in 1979; and in 1982 founded The Business Forum in Beverly Hills, California.  

At the time of establishing The Business Forum, John was recognized as an accomplished Commercial Tactician on four continents. During his career John has been 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 British Institute of Marketing, the British Institute of Management, and the British Institute of Journalists.

John has written several books on Marketing, including: ”Tactics" (Nerthus Publications), and "How to Promote Your Business"; and "How to Organize Your Marketing" (Asigan International Inc.) he also wrote "Fast Track Marketing in a Global Economy" (Van Nostrum Reinhold)  He has also had published articles in Europe and America and he has lectured on four Continents (Europe, North America, Asia and Africa) at Universities and to professional audiences on subjects ranging from business development to international accounting, office management and interior design, garden design and in-flight cuisine to international marketing and management. 

John has written and he has lectured on etiquette and business ethics.  He is also a professional artist with regular exhibitions and his paintings hang today in many countries around the world.

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ALPHABETICAL COUNTRY LISTING
Click on the Country you wish to research

Abkhazia   Not Recognized by the United Nations
 
 Adjara   Not Recognized by the United Nations
Afghanistan
   Akrotiri and Dhekelia's flag  Akrotiri & Dhekelia  
Åland Islands
  

Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
  

Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
  

Antigua & Barbuda
Animated flag of Arab League
Arab League
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba  
Ascension Island
  
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Animated flag of AzoresAzores  
Bahamas
Bahrain
Balearic Islands  
 
  Baluchistan   Not Recognized by the United Nations
Bangladesh
Barbados
  Animated Flag of French Guiana  Bassas da India  
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda  

Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Botswana

Brazil
British Antarctic Territory
 

Animated Flag of British Indian Ocean TerritoryBritish Indian Ocean Territory
 

British Virgin Islands
  

Brunei

Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burma
Burundi

Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Animated flag of Canary IslandsCanary Islands
  

Cape Verde
Animated Flag of Cayman IslandsCayman Islands
  

Central African Republic
Ceuta
  

Chad
Chechnya
Chile
China
  Animated Flag of Christmas Island  Christmas Island  
  Animated Flag of French Guiana   
Clipperton Island  
    Cocos Islands  
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
 

 Congo (DR)
  Animated Flag of Cook Islands 
Cook Islands  
Costa Rica
  Côte d'Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus

Czech Republic
Denmark
Djibouti
Dniester   Not Recognized by the United Nations
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Animated Flag of East Timor
East Timor
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
 Estonia
Ethiopia

  Animated Flag of French Guiana   Europa Island  
Animated Flag of European Union European Union
Falkland Islands
  

Animated Flag of Faroe IslandsFaroe Islands
  

Fiji
Finland
France
Animated Flag of French Southern TerritoriesFrench Antarctic Lands
  

 Animated Flag of French Guiana  French Guiana  
Animated Flag of French PolynesiaFrench Polynesia
  

Gabon
Gambia 
    Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Animated Flag of GibraltarGibraltar
  

  Animated Flag of French Guiana 
Glorioso Islands  
Great Britain
Greece
Animated Flag of GreenlandGreenland
  

Grenada
Guadeloupe
  

Animated Flag of GuamGuam
  

Guatemala
Guernsey
  

Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana

Haiti
Holland
Honduras
Hong Kong
  

Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Isle of Man
  

Israel
Italy
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Japan
Jersey
  

Jordan
  Animated Flag of French Guiana   Juan de Nova Island  
Karakalpakstan
 Not Recognized by the United Nations
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Korea (DPR)
South Korea
Kosovo

 
  Kurdistan   Not Recognized by the United Nations
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan

Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania

Luxembourg
Macau  
Macedonia
Madagascar
Madeira
  

Malawi

Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Malvinas
Marshall Islands
Martinique
  

Mauritania

Mauritius
  Animated Flag of French Guiana  Mayotte  
Melilla
  
Mexico
Micronesia

Midway Island
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Animated Flag of Montserrat  Montserrat
  

Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
 
  Nakhichevan   Not Recognized by the
United Nations
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal

Netherlands
Netherlands Antilles 
Animated Flag of New Caledonia  New Caledonia
  
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger

Nigeria
Niue
  

  Animated Flag of Norfolk Island    Norfolk Island  
North Korea
Northern Cyprus   Not Recognized by the
United Nations
Animated Flag of Northern Mariana Islands  Northern Mariana Islands
  

Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestine   
Not Recognized by the
United Nations
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Animated Flag of Pitcairn  Pitcairn Island
  

Poland
Portugal
Animated Flag of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
  
Qatar

Reunion  
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
 Animated Flag of St. Helena  Saint Helena  

Saint Kitts
Saint Lucia

Saint Martin
Animated Flag of St. Pierre and Miquelon  Saint Pierre & Miquelon
Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Animated Flag of Sao Tome and Principe  São Tomé & Príncipe
    Sark  
Saudi Arabia
Senegal

 Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore

Sint Maarten  
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia

Somaliland
   Not Recognized by the
United Nations
South Africa
Animated Flag of South Georgia and The South Sandwich Islands  South Georgia & South Sandwich Isles
 

    South Korea

Ossetian flag
South Ossetia   Not Recognized by the
United Nations Flag South SudanSouth Sudan   
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname

    Svalbard  
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria

Taiwan
Tajikistan

Tanzania
Thailand
 
   Tibet  
Togo

  Medium animated Tokelauan flag clip art for a white background Tokelau 
Tonga

Trinidad & Tobago
Tristan da Cunha
  

  Animated Flag of French Guiana   Tromelin Island  
Tunisia

Turkey
Turkmenistan
Animated Flag of Turks and Caicos Islands  Turks & Caicos Islands
  

Tuvalu

Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom
Animated Flag of United Nations  United Nations
United States of America
United States Virgin Islands
  

Uruguay
Uzbekistan

Vanuatu
Vatican
Venezuela
Vietnam

Wake Island  
Wallis & Futuna
  
Western Sahara
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe