AIM: How do we gather information to use to study comparative politics?
NAME:_______________________________________________
Your task is to gather information using the CIA World Factbook website
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/
to compare the following countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico,
Russia, China, Nigeria and Iran.
1. Give the official or legal name of the nation for each capital city
a. London_________________________
b. Moscow________________________
c. Beijing_________________________
d. Tehran_________________________
e. Mexico City_________________________
f. Abuja__________________________
g. Washington, D.C.__________________
2. Rank these nations from most populous (1) to least populous (7). Note the
population of each country next to its name
____a. United Kingdom
____b. Russia
____c. People’s Republic of China
____d. Iran
____e. Mexico
____f. Nigeria
____g. United States
3. Rank these nations from highest (1) to lowest in life expectancy (7). Please note
the life expectancy of each country next to its name
____a. United Kingdom
____b. Russia
____c. People’s Republic of China
____d. Iran
____e. Mexico
____f. Nigeria
____g. United States
4. Rank these nations from largest (1) to smallest (7) in area. Please note the area of
each country next to its name
____a. United Kingdom
____b. Russia
____c. People’s Republic of China
____d. Iran
____e. Mexico
____f. Nigeria
____g. United States
5. Rank these nations from highest (1) to lowest (7) in terms of the number of
nations they border. Please note the borders of each country next to its name
____a. United Kingdom
____b. Russia
____c. People’s Republic of China
____d. Iran
____e. Mexico
____f. Nigeria
____g. United States
6. Rank these nations from highest (1) to lowest (7) in percentage of arable land.
Please note the percentage of arable land of each country next to its name
____a. United Kingdom
____b. Russia
____c. People’s Republic of China
____d. Iran
____e. Mexico
____f. Nigeria
____g. United States
7. Rank these nations from highest (1) to lowest (7) in per capita GDP. Please note
the percentage of arable land of each country next to its name
____a. United Kingdom
____b. Russia
____c. People’s Republic of China
____d. Iran
____e. Mexico
____f. Nigeria
____g. United States
8. Rank these nations from highest (1) to lowest (7) in the amount of telephones in
the country. Please note the amount of telephones of each country next to its name
____a. United Kingdom
____b. Russia
____c. People’s Republic of China
____d. Iran
____e. Mexico
____f. Nigeria
____g. United States
9. Rank these nations from highest (1) to lowest (7) in the number of mobile cellular
phones. Please note the amount of mobile cellular phones of each country next to
its name
____a. United Kingdom
____b. Russia
____c. People’s Republic of China
____d. Iran
____e. Mexico
____f. Nigeria
____g. United States
10. When was the constitution for each of these seven nations written?
a. United Kingdom _______________________
b. Russia ______________________
c. People’s Republic of China ________________________
d. Iran ____________________
e. Mexico ______________________
f. Nigeria ________________________
g. United States ______________________
11. In a few words, describe the regime and type of government in each country
a. United Kingdom:
b. Russia:
c. People’s Republic of China:
d. Iran:
e. Mexico:
f. Nigeria:
g. United States of America:
12. What is the title of the head of state in each of these nations?
a. United Kingdom _______________________
b. Russia ______________________
c. People’s Republic of China ________________________
d. Iran ____________________
e. Mexico ______________________
f. Nigeria ________________________
g. United States ______________________
13. What is the title of the head of government in each of these nations?
a. United Kingdom _______________________
b. Russia ______________________
c. People’s Republic of China ________________________
d. Iran ____________________
e. Mexico ______________________
f. Nigeria ________________________
g. United States ______________________
14. What is the term of office of the head of government in each of these nations?
a. United Kingdom _______________________
b. Russia ______________________
c. People’s Republic of China ________________________
d. Iran ____________________
e. Mexico ______________________
f. Nigeria ________________________
g. United States ______________________
15. Is the legislature in each country unicameral or bicameral?
a. United Kingdom _______________________
b. Russia ______________________
c. People’s Republic of China ________________________
d. Iran ____________________
e. Mexico ______________________
f. Nigeria ________________________
g. United States ______________________
16. What is the name of the largest division of the legislature and how many seats does it
have?
a. United Kingdom _______________________
b. Russia ______________________
c. People’s Republic of China ________________________
d. Iran ____________________
e. Mexico ______________________
f. Nigeria ________________________
g. United States ______________________
17. Is the political system in each of these countries federal or unitary?
a. United Kingdom _______________________
b. Russia ______________________
c. People’s Republic of China ________________________
d. Iran ____________________
e. Mexico ______________________
f. Nigeria ________________________
g. United States ______________________
18. Rank these nations from highest (1) to lowest (7) in the literacy rate. Please note
the literacy rate of each country next to its name
____a. United Kingdom
____b. Russia
____c. People’s Republic of China
____d. Iran
____e. Mexico
____f. Nigeria
____g. United States
19. Rank these nations from highest (1) to lowest (7) in regard to the population
living under the poverty rate. Please note the poverty rate of each country next to
its name
____a. United Kingdom
____b. Russia
____c. People’s Republic of China
____d. Iran
____e. Mexico
____f. Nigeria
____g. United States
20. Rank these nations from highest (1) to lowest (7) in regard to the unemployment
rate. Please note the unemployment rate of each country next to its name
____a. United Kingdom
____b. Russia
____c. People’s Republic of China
____d. Iran
____e. Mexico
____f. Nigeria
____g. United States
21. Please note the major industries in each country
a. United Kingdom _______________________
b. Russia ______________________
c. People’s Republic of China ________________________
d. Iran ____________________
e. Mexico ______________________
f. Nigeria ________________________
g. United States ______________________