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Albanian Encyclopedia

Albania is nevertheless a rich blend of religions, cultures and landscapes - and its political landscape has been equally varied. After World War II, Albania became a Stalinist state under Enver Hoxha, and remained staunchly isolationist until its transition to democracy after 1990. One result was the end of a ban on religious worship. Now Muslims, Orthodox and Roman Catholics co-exist alongside Albania's atheists. The 1992 elections ended 47 years of communist rule, but the latter half of the decade saw a quick turnover of presidents and prime ministers. Many Albanians left the country in search of work; the money they send home remains an important source of revenue. Early in 1997 the collapse of pyramid investment schemes sparked anti-government riots and brought down the government. During the Nato bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999, nearly 500,000 ethnic Albanian refugees from Kosovo spilled over the border, imposing a huge burden on Albania's already fragile economy. Criminal gangs have a lucrative trade smuggling immigrants from Albania across the sea to Italy, a business that has escalated following the fall of communism. There have been signs of economic progress as inflation has been brought under tighter control and the economy has seen some growth. Nevertheless, economic problems remain daunting. Poverty is widespread and unemployment high, the infrastructure is crumbling and corruption is a deterrent to foreign investment. Agriculture, an important sector, relies on antiquated equipment and old-fashioned methods. Talks with the EU on a Stabilisation and Association agreement were launched in 2003 and Albania hopes to sign an association accord as soon as possible. It was advised in 2004 that there will have to be greater progress on political and economic reforms before that can happen.

• Population: 3.2 million (UN, 2005)
• Capital: Tirana
• Major language: Albanian
• Major religion: Islam
• Life expectancy: 71 years (men), 77 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 lek = 100 qindars
• Main exports: Chromium and chrome products, processed foodstuffs
• GNI per capita: US $2,080 (World Bank, 2005)
• Internet domain: .al
• International dialling code: +355

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Canadian Encyclopedia

Canada is the second largest country in the world after Russia. Its population is only about one-fifth of Russia's however. Nearly 90% of Canadians live within 200 km of the border with the United States, which means that Canada contains vast expanses of wilderness to the north. The relationship to its powerful neighbour is a major defining factor for Canada. The US and Canada have the world's largest trading relationship. The North American Free Trade Agreement, involving Canada, the US and Mexico, has brought a trade boom for Canada. But thorny issues abound and often relate to the issue of subsidies. American moves which impact on Canadian exports - in the form of tariffs on Canadian timber and increased subsidies for US farmers - have created particular tension. Canada is also worried about environmental pollution from US factories near the border, and about the possible impact on the environment of the exploitation of oil deposits in Alaska. Canada pursues a foreign policy that is distinct from that of the US. The country has committed troops to the American-led war on terror, but refuses to support the US trade embargo on Cuba. Canada did not send troops to join the US-led war in Iraq. Canada has also been instrumental in promoting a worldwide ban on the production, export and use of anti-personnel landmines. After the 11 September 2001 attacks in the US, the challenge of securing the 9,000-km Canada-US border from possible terrorist infiltration prompted both countries to look at ways of sharing information. Immigration has helped to make Canada one of the world's richest countries, and the country is largely free of racial tension. Many recent newcomers hail from Asia. Canada's indigenous peoples make up less than two per cent of the population. The way in which provincial governments share land and natural resources with native groups is an ongoing issue. Separatist aspirations within the predominantly French-speaking province of Quebec are a major domestic issue. The last referendum on the issue - in 1995 - saw advocates of an independent Quebec only narrowly defeated. Subsequent opinion polls indicated a fall in support for independence. The pro-independence Parti Quebecois was defeated in 2003's provincial election.

• Population: 32 million (UN, 2005)
• Capital: Ottawa
• Area: 9.9 million sq km (3.8 million sq miles)
• Major languages: English, French (both of official status)
• Major religion: Christianity
• Life expectancy: 77 years (men), 82 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 Canadian dollar = 100 cents
• Main exports: Machinery and equipment, automotive products, metals and plastics, forestry products, agricultural and fishing products
• GNI per capita: US $28,390 (World Bank, 2005)
• Internet domain: .ca
• International dialling code: +1

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USA Encyclopedia

The US is the world's foremost economic and military power. It is also a major source of entertainment: American TV, Hollywood films, jazz, blues, rock and rap music are primary ingredients in global popular culture. Ethnic and racial diversity - the "melting pot" - is celebrated as a core element of the American ideology. The 1964 Civil Rights Act outlawed racial and other discrimination, but race continues to be a live issue with affirmative-action programmes - intended to remedy past discrimination - and housing segregation sparking debate. The US originated in a revolution which separated it from the British Crown. The constitution, drafted in 1787, established a federal system with a division of powers even at the central level which, uniquely among modern nation-states, has remained unchanged in form since its inception. The early settlers came predominantly from the British Isles. Slaves from Africa joined them involuntarily in a second wave. Millions of Europeans constituted a third stage of immigration. Today, Asians from the Pacific rim and Hispanics from the Americas are seeking what their predecessors wanted - political freedom and prosperity. This shift is reflected in America's interests abroad, which are now less European in focus than ever before. American foreign policy has often mixed the idealism of its "mission" with elements of self-interest. The latter is exemplified in its international record on the environment, which has attracted criticism, and the need to maintain energy supplies, in which the US is not self-sufficient. In September 2001 the US was shaken after three hijacked aircraft were deliberately crashed into the World Trade Center in New York and the Defence Department - the Pentagon - near Washington DC, killing thousands of people. A fourth hijacked aircraft crashed in Pennsylvania, killing all on board. The attacks had a momentous impact as the country continued to re-define its role as the world's only superpower. In October 2001 the US led a military campaign in Afghanistan which unseated the Taleban regime. In March 2003 Washington initiated military action in Iraq which led to the toppling of the Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. Despite relative prosperity in recent years, the gap between rich and poor is a major challenge. More than 30 million Americans live below the official poverty line, with a disproportionate percentage of these being African-Americans and Hispanics.

• Population: 295 million (US Census Bureau estimate, 2005)
• Capital: Washington D.C.
• Area: 9.8 million sq km (3.8 million sq miles)
• Major language: English
• Major religion: Christianity
• Life expectancy: 75 years (men), 80 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 US dollar = 100 cents
• Main exports: Computers and electrical machinery, vehicles, chemical products, food and live animals, military equipment and aircraft
• GNI per capita: US $41,400 (World Bank, 2005)
• Internet domain: .us
• International dialling code: +1

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World Encyclopedia

The World is administered by The United Nations is made up of 191 countries from around the world. It is often called the UN. It was set up in 1945 - after the Second World War - as a way of bringing people together and to avoid war. The United Nations logo shows the world held in the 'olive branches of peace'. The UN works for world peace and development in many different ways.

It organises peace-keeping forces in troublespots around the world, such as Kosovo or in Africa.

It is also linked with organisations which help. These include:

• UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)
• UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund)
• UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation)
• FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation)
• WHO (World Health Organisation)

What is a resolution ?
Representatives of each member country meet in the General Assembly, this is the closest thing to a world parliament.
Resolutions
Each country has a single vote. Decisions that are voted for become resolutions. Major decisions about things like who can join the UN need the support of two-thirds of the Assembly. Less important decisions need the support of over half the Assembly. The Assembly's decisions are not laws. Governments follow resolutions because they represent the world's opinion on major international issues.

Who are the Security Council?
The 15 members of the UN Security Council try to keep the world a peaceful and secure place. They vote on the best ways to prevent countries fighting. There are two groups of members.

Five permanent members
These countries are always on the council. They got their membership because they were important in 1945, when the UN was set up.

France

UK

Russia

China

United States

Ten temporary members
These members are voted for every two years by the rest of the UN. The members voted on to the security council as of January 2003 were:

Germany

Guinea

Mexico

Pakistan

Spain

Syria

Angola

Bulgaria

Cameroon

Chile

The rules for voting

1. One member, one vote.

2. Each of the five permanent members can stop the UN from making decisions they may not agree with. This is called the power of veto.

3. Nine votes in favour are needed to make a decision.

4. Five of the nine votes must come from permanent members.

Who are the Security Council?
The 15 members of the UN Security Council try to keep the world a peaceful and secure place. They vote on the best ways to prevent countries fighting. There are two groups of members.

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European Encyclopedia

The European Union is a group of countries whose governments work together. It's a bit like a club. To join you have to agree to follow the rules and in return you get certain benefits. Each country has to pay money to be a member. They mostly do this through taxes. The EU uses the money to change the way people live and do business in Europe. Countries join because they think that they will benefit from the changes the EU makes. These are the five big things the EU has set out to do.

1. Promote economic and social progress.
Help people earn enough money and get treated fairly.

2. Speak for the European Union on the international scene.
By working as a group the EU hopes that Europe will be listened to more by other countries.

3. Introduce European citizenship.
Anyone from a member state is a citizen of the EU and gets four special rights.

4. Develop Europe as an area of freedom, security and justice.
Help Europeans to live in safety, without the threat of war.

5. Maintain and build on established EU law.
Make laws that protect peoples rights in the member countries.

Already members
These are the 25 countries in the EU with the dates when they joined.

• Belgium 1957
• France 1957
• Netherlands 1957
• Germany 1957
• Italy 1957
• Luxembourg 1957
• Denmark 1973
• Ireland 1973
• UK 1973
• Greece 1981
• Portugal 1986
• Spain 1986
• Austria 1995
• Finland 1995
• Sweden 1995
• Hungary 2004
• Poland 2004
• Czech Republic 2004
• Slovak Republic 2004
• Slovenia 2004
• Estonia 2004
• Latvia 2004
• Lithuania 2004
• Malta 2004
• Cyprus 2004
  Going to become members
  • Bulgaria 2007
  • Romania 2007
  The twenty-five nation European Union has 500 million citizens.