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 to students: Before answering the questions below, read the information under “Background” and watch the new videos under "Resources."

2. For UKRAINE:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) When did the Chernobyl nuclear disaster occur?
c) What is significant about the new shelter erected over Reactor No. 4?
d) How much did the new shelter cost? How many workers were involved? How long did it take to build?
e) Why was the new shelter built off-site and then moved into place when completed?

3. For NORTH KOREA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Define revenue.
c) What is North Korea’s main source of revenue?
d) Watch the video under “Resources” Why might the new sanctions against North Korea not mean anything, according to analyst Gordon Chang?

4. For FRANCE:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) What is the significance of President Hollande’s decision?
c) Why did he say he made this decision?
d) List the reasons for President Hollands’ unpopularity.
e) Who is expected to win the next presidential election in France?
f) France is an example of a democratic socialist state. In 2012, French voters elected the Socialist Party candidate, François Hollande, into office with the expectation that he would meet his campaign promises to introduce greater socialist policy.
Why do you think French voters, after having elected Hollande, might quite possibly elect the right-leaning Fillon as the next president?