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.

Or, 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 MOROCCO (Kingdom of Morocco):
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) What does Morocco’s government accuse UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon of doing?
c) What is the Polasario Front?
d) What does the Polisario Front want? How does the government of King Mohamed differ?

3. For MALAWI:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Define poaching and conservationists.
c) What do conservationists say has led to a surge in poaching in Africa?
d) What is the Malawian government’s motive for burning the confiscated ivory?

4. For IVORY COAST (Republic of Cote d'Ivoire):
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) What was al Qaeda’s purpose for this particular attack, according to the Telegraph analysis?
c) Why did they want to achieve this purpose? Be specific.
d) Agence France-Presse reported that analysts said al Qaeda’s real target was France, which has strong ties to Ivory Coast (a former colony) and for the French government’s help hunting in down jihadists in Mali and elsewhere. What effect do you think this knowledge should have on the French government’s policy in fighting terrorist groups?