If further amplification of an area such as history, politics, or culture is needed, one of the following sources could prove useful. Background Notes and Post Reports are both issued by the State Department and contain similar categories of information. Post Reports were developed for employees of the State Department to acquaint them with living abroad. They contain useful information on travel and culture, and include a recommended reading list which has offerings of fiction, history, culture, and politics. Prepared by American Forces Information Service, these guides cover selected regions and countries where U. S. Armed Forces are stationed.
Coverage includes a brief history and information on local customs, travel, food, and language.
Provide in-depth coverage of a single country. These publications are book-length with chapters on history, society, environment, ecomony, national security, government, and politics. All include maps and photographs. An appendix presents information in tabular form and each volume concludes with a lengthly bibliography. These bibliographies provide an overview of current government documents concerning a particular region such as Africa or the Middle East.