International Economics

A web-based project to learn about other countries:  their economies, population, people, geography, transportation, and communications.  This project can be done by individuals or teams and can be further adapted to your particular student population. (This project could also be adapted to library - non-web based research.)

You have just been hired in the international division of a multinational corporation that makes consumer goods to become an expert on other countries.  Your first assignment is to prepare a  report on a country not in North America. Your company is considering building a
branch plant to produce a consumer good in this country.  To get the facts, you hop on the Web and start with the http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/pubs.html CIA Factbook of information about all countries.  After following the links to the latest Factbook,  you want to collect the following information for your report:

*Where is the country located and what is its  physical size?  Is it larger or smaller than your  country?

*How many people live there?  Since your company's product is sold to adults, how many adults live there?  (Note: for younger students, this could be a toy or sneaker company, so find out how many people younger than 15 years of age.)

*Compare its climate to the climate where you live. Is it hotter?  Is it dryer?  What kind of crops are  grown there?

*Is the government a democracy?  If not, what is it?  Who is the current head of the government?

*What kind of an economy does it have: Primarily market-based or centrally planned?  Is it a rich or poor country?  What is the GDP per capita?  Compare this to your own country.

*What is the unemployment rate?

*Is unemployment a problem in this country?

*What are the major natural resources of the country?

*What are the major industries?

*Is there a connection between its natural resources and the products it makes?

*What is the country's money called?

*How much of your own country's money could you get for one of this country's unit of money?

*If your company put a branch operation there,  would it be satisfied with the communications  system?  Do most people in the country have telephones, for example?

*Search the web to find out more information about the country.  End
your report with a recommendation to your boss about building a new
plant there.

Mike Foley
Osbourn Park High School
Manassas Virginia