CIA World Factbook - Up-to-date information on the countries of the world, with brief information on each country's history, geography, government, economy, communications, transportation, military, and demographic characteristics.

Country Studies - from Library of Congress. Presents a description & analysis of the historical setting & the social, economic, political, and national security systems and institutions of countries throughout the world.

Foreign Governments - Northwestern University created this quick guide to departments and agencies of foreign governments.

Foreign Governments Resources - University of Colorado at Boulder Libraries-created guides arranged by subject.

A sampling of the wealth of information available from the United Nations website:

UN Homepage - Gateway to the UN website and all its various sub-organizations

Official Documents of the United Nations (ODS Search) -  full-text access to all types of UN documents, starting in 1993.

UN Documents (Documentation Centre)  - General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Secretariat, International Court of Justice, and Trusteeship Council documents

UNdata - single entry point for searching 27 UN databases

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

U.S. State Department Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets  - include facts about the land, people, history, government, political conditions, economy, and foreign relations of independent states, some dependencies, and areas of special sovereignty.

United Nations - Human Development Reports  

United Nations Development Programme  (works best in IE)

www.parliament.uk - This is the home of all Parliamentary business online, and covers both Houses (Commons and Lords), bills, committees, and debates (both current and historical). Some highlights:

Current Legislation:

Legislation.gov.uk - Maintained by The National Archives, this site carries most (but not all) types of legislation and their accompanying explanatory documents, 1988 to present. Coverage is for United Kingdom, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Easy to use with a powerful search function.

Historic Debates and Legislation:

House of Commons Hansard Archives - Debates from the Commons Chamber and Westminster Hall, Public Bill and General Committees, from 1988-2016.

Historic Hansard - 1803-2005