1. For each of the 3 countries, give the following information:

1. capital
2. location/the countries that share its borders
3. the religious breakdown of the population
4. the type of government
5. the chief of state (and head of government if different) If monarch or dictator, since what date has he/she ruled? – include name of heir apparent for monarch
6. the population

Find the answers at the CIA World FactBook website.
For each country, answers can be found under the “Geography” “People” and “Government” headings.
NOTE: If WorldFactBook appears outdated for any country, go to Wikipedia – search there for “Religion in ___” or “Politics of ____” for the leaders.  Or do an internet search for “Population of ___.”

NOTE to students: Before answering the questions below, read the information under “Background.”

2. For FRANCE:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) What percent of the vote did each of the following receive in Sunday’s regional elections:
-the ruling socialist party
-former President Nicholas Sarkozy’s mainstream conservative party
-the nationalist far-right National Front (FN) party
c) Why will a second round of voting take place on Sunday?
d) The French people have historically supported more left-leaning, socialist leaders. The nationalist, anti-European Union National Front party, which opposes French membership in the European Union, as well as immigration they say is changing the culture of France has never won big like this before. Why do you think the FP has made such historic gains? (If you are not sure, ask a parent or grandparent who follows world news why they think this is so.)

3. For VENEZUELA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Why is the victory of the opposition Democratic Unity party so significant?
c) The Venezuelan people supported the socialist government’s economic policies, believing they would have a better life under them. What have voters since discovered about the reality of implementing socialist economic policies?
CHALLENGE: Watch the news report under “Resources” below. What major changes/steps could the assembly, controlled by the Democratic Unity coalition take?

4. For ARGENTINA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) What has newly elected president Mauricio Macri accused out-going socialist president Cristina Kirchner of doing?
c) What specifically has President Kirchner done with government spending and with government appointees?
d) What one or two words best describe President Kirchner’s decision to take these actions?
CHALLENGE: Which out-going U.S. president’s administration caused “damage, theft, vandalism and pranks in the White House complex” in the presidential transition, as confirmed by an investigation of the General Accounting Office (GAO), an investigative arm of Congress?