1. For each of the 3 countries, give the following information:
a) location/the countries that share its borders
b) the religious breakdown of the population
c) the type of government
d) 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]
e) 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.  Go to worldatlas.com for a list of continents.]

2. For RUSSIA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) After taking the oath of office, what did President Putin say about democracy?
c) How did President Putin's view of citizens protesting his election contradict his stated view on democracy?

3. For FRANCE and GREECE:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Why did voters replace their leaders in France and Greece?
c) Read the information on France and Greece's austerity plans below.  Do you think the voters were right to oust leaders who were attempting to solve the budget crisis through austerity plans?  Explain your answer.  Ask a parent the same question.
d) If you found you had spent more money than you earned/posessed and owed all of your friends money [similar to what has happened in these countries], what would you do personally (eg. borrow more money and continue spending, drastically cut your spending, etc.)?  Explain your answer.