It's on the computer and has articles about all sorts of social, environmental and political issues. They are mostly pretty recent. Many of the articles are very long, but include a ton of good information. The most recent World Almanac is another great source of statistics about your country. You can find out thing like how many doctors per person your country has, the average life expectancy in your country, and how many people are illiterate.
Local people are another big help.
It can be very easy to find people who have lived in other countries or know a lot about them. Call colleges, universities, travel agencies, and international programs to find names of people who can help. Of course, the Internet is a wonderful resource. You can visit your country's embassy and even send an e-mail to find out information. On-line newspapers are very helpful.