DEER ISLE-STONINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
Library
Media Center
WORLD STUDIES 
General
Information Sources
Marvel! Maine'sVirtual Library and/or select:
Dictionaries and Encyclopedias,
Encyclopedia Britannica Online With access to four encyclopedias-Encyclopedia Britannica, Britannica Student Encyclopedia, Britannica Elementary Encyclopedia and Britannica Concise Encyclopedia- Britannica Online is a site for all ages. Users can locate information quickly by
usngBoolean operators (e.g. and, or, not); browsing A-Z; or typing in words, phrases, or questions to receive a list of relevance-ranked articles with related links. Dictionary and Thesaurus included.
MasterFILE Premier A broad range of topics including general interest, business, health and multi-cultural, designed specifically for the public library but a good tool for high school researchers..
Middle Search Plus Designed to assist middle and junior high school students in learning how to research current events, this research tool will serve senior high school students well too.
Primary Search Gathers information on a wide range of general topics for elementary schools and children"s reading rooms. Includes a searchable full text of articles, reports and special issues from over 50 of the most popular K-12 magazines. Includes searchable full text for over 100 pamphlet, essential documents in American History and the CIA Fact Book (and maps), The World Almanac of the U.S.A. and The World Almanac for Kids.
ProQuest Newspapers Provides the full text of more than 500 U.S. and international news sources. Includes The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, and the Times of London, plus hundreds of other news sources and news wires. Years of coverage vary by title.
Maine papers included: Bangor Daily News (1992+), Portland Press Herald (1995+), and selected business coverage from Maine Times (1994-2002) and Central Maine Morning Sentinel
(1993-1997).
Festivals.com
"Celebrating the World of Festivals and Events." Find out basic information about festivals
and celebrations that are being held in the world. Has keyword searching.
Handbooks and Guidebooks
The CIA World Factbook
Wide variety of information about countries of the world, including maps, prepared by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.
CNN Travel Guide
Maps, city guides, travel directions and much more travel information is offered here by CNN.
Maps
Altapedia Online
"Contains full color physical and political maps as well as key facts and statistics on countries of the world."
Dangerous Places (Pelton's)
Offers extensive travel and tourist information about the most dangerous countries of the world that people might want to visit. Includes background on the reasons for the danger (conflict) and the major "players" that make it so.
The Fascinating World of Maps and Mapping!
This is a very handy place to find maps of places of the world. It has many, many other mapping resources as well!
Interactive Map Atlas
Collection of maps of the world's countries. Also includes a geography glossary, time zones, travel statistics, and other such data.
Maps and References
"The maps which are listed are categorized by geographical region although there are a couple of thematic categories such as Interactive Maps which both highlights the potential of the WWW and are also fun to use."
Map Collection at Perry-Castaneda
Many maps from countries around the world are available here, at this excellent online map collection. Maps are organized by continent, and then by country. World maps are also available, and this one is very detailed and expandable.
Map Machine
Some maps from the world famous National Geographic organization.
Online Outline Maps
This site offers a selection of outline maps for use in the classroom or at home. Feel free to print or download any of these maps for your personal use in activities, reports, or stories.
U.S. Geological Survey
Geographical information for the United States is offered here. See and browse their new section: USGS Information by State for information on Earthquakes, Floods, Maps, Public Health, Volcanoes and other similar/realted topics.
Statistics
InfoNation
This is "an easy-to-use, two-step database that allows you to view and compare the most up-to-date statistical data for the Member States of the United Nations.... Statistics and indicators are provided by the United Nations Statistics Division from the World Statistics Pocketbook, Statistical Yearbook and Demographic Yearbook 1995, except languages."
History Sites
On This Day
The New York Times provides a look at the front page and news stories about important events from different years. Includes recognition of important birthdays, plus other information related to that day in history.
Today In History
A feature of the American Memory collections of the Library of Congress. A special historical, primary source feature for each day of the year. Here is the Today In History Archive of all past days.
Primary Sources: Major sites and Gateways
The following links connect with some of the best repositories of primary source materials on the Web and also include a large number of teaching materials and finding aids for use by librarians and others.
American Memory from the Library of Congress
National Archives and Records Administration
In-Depth Websites on Countries: Africa
Library of Congress Country Studies
African Regions
Click on the region of Africa, and it will take you to a page with groups of links to information resources for the countries in that region. This is a very well organized way to study Africa. Please note that there are several sets of links within each of the regional pages.
African Countries
Click on the name of the country, and it will take you to links to information resources for that country.
Africa: Washington Post
Search the Washington Post for articles and other information about the countries of the world. Also has links to other information for the countries.
Travel Guides From Lonely Planet Publishing
Traveling a country is a good way to get to know the people and culture. Lonely Planet offers travel guides for the countries of the world. Check out the guide for your country.
U.S. State Department Country Background
Background information about the countries of the world. First select a geographic region, then a country, and background information on that country will be displayed.
African Topics
Click on the name of the topic of interest for your country, and it will take you to links to information resources, such as: Arts & Architecture, Business & Trade, Food & Agriculture, Music & Films, Religious Studies, Women Issues.
Amnesty International Country Reports and Amnesty Main Page
This organization rates the countries of the world on the basis of their treatment of their citizens' human rights. Updated yearly. Very thorough and impartial reports are available in full-text, organized by year and continent, then country.
Derechos: Human Rights Around the World
This website offers reports on the countries of the world on the basis of their treatment of their citizens' human rights. Updated regularly. Very thorough links to information are available, organized by continent, then country.
Global Gateway: World Cultures and Resource
from the Library of Congress' World Cultures and Resources site.
Choose Portals to the World----from the Library of Congress, an awesome site for country information!
First Facts on International Relations and Security Trends
Access to a multitude of databases on major world topic
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
THE ANCIENT MIDDLE EAST
Hyperhistoryonline
Experience the "flow" of history through this "hypertext" chart!
A good place to see the major events and people that are part of our past.
Empires and Civilizations Timeline
Another very nice timeline showing the relationships of the various eras.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Sumerian Priestess of the Moon Goddess
This page includes a short biography of En Hedu'Anna, a priestess of the Moon Goddess in ancient Babylon. She is the "last in the long line of women who followed the stars and the cycles of the Moon and whose names are lost to us. She is the first in a long line of women whose names we know - the women who thought, created and built for the past 4000 years."
Notes on Mesopotamia
Encyclopedia Britannica Online Student Edition
Life in Mesopotamia
CURRENT MIDDLE EAST
Global connections: the middle east
Global Connections is the online home to a family of sites created to help teachers, students, and the general public learn more about events around the world through readings, lesson plans, links, timelines, and maps.
Middle East Issues: General Background Links
The Historical Context for Contemporary Interest in Islam --This is the Ione page introduction from Muslim Primer--Beginner's Guide to Islam by Ira G. Zepp Jr. It has been reprinted here with permission from the University of Arkansas Press, 2000.
Government Views of Iraq--from City College Libraries, a huge collection of links including primary resources
Islam Empire of Faith --from PBS, site includes the faith, culture, personalities, etc. in connection with the television program
Israeli Palestinian Conflict
U.S. Department of State's Information Update on Iraq
Iraq Resources
Encyclopedia of the Orient
This reference site covers the Middle East extensively. Organized alphabetically, and is searchable by key word as well.
Encyclopedia Britannica: The Middle East
The major articles from Britannica Online which deal with all aspects of the Middle East area.
U.N. Documents On the Question of Palestine
All United Nations documents that relate to the various problems related to the question of a state of Palestine are available here. Includes letters from Palestinians and other countries in the region which outline the problems as they see them.
Fact Sheet on the Middle East Peace Process
U.S. Department of State has prepared a "Fact Sheet" which outlines the peace process (as of 1995) in the Middle East, which began in 1991. Although a bit dated, it gives a useful summary of the process.
Middle East Recent News (BBC News)
The British Broadcasting Company created this special section with a variety of information relating to the issues and problems of the Middle East. See also the BBC Special Report: Peace In the Balance, which covers the background and people, but NOTE the 2000 date. It's still excellent for background information and to see what has worked and what hasn't so far.
The Middle East Situation (PBS)
The Online Newshour has provided extensive, in-depth coverage of the Middle East situation on their nightly news program. Here they make the transcripts of their programs available in full text. Includes regular interviews with the key players in the negotiations and events! Covers back to October 24, 1995.
Middle East Files: From Israel
The government of Israel made these documents related to Israel and the Middle East Peace Process available on the Internet, through their Israel Information Service Gopher. Please note that they are grouped into various folders. The Basic Reference Documents folder traces the history of the crises through a series of important treaties and related documents going back to 1917.
The Middle East (CNN)
From the Cable News Network: Read the latest news regarding issues and events in the Middle East.
Search the Jerusalem Post
Use this link to search the past issues of the Jerusalem Post, which is the major newspaper in Israel.
The Jewish Encyclopedia
The King James Bible
The Koran
Middle East Issues: People, Events and Issues
Welcome To Palestine
A website dedicated to providing information about Palestine and related matters.
Background on Islam --a series of links from Frontline on PBS to related information
Irag War Debate 2002 --from the University of Michigan Documents Center
Islam, Islamic Studies, Arabic, Religion --from the University of Georgia, a valuable set of links to information and materials.
Islam Empire of Faith --from PBS, site includes the faith, culture, personalities, etc. in connection with the television program
Israeli Palestinian Conflict
U.S. Department of State's Information Update on Iraq
Saddam Hussein and His Rise to Power
Middle East Issues: Maps
Maps of the Middle East
The Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection provides images of Middle East maps for individual countries, showing political and geographical features. The maps were mostly produced by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.
Historical Maps of the Middle East
The Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection provides images of Middle East maps going back more than 100 years.
Israel and Middle East: National Geographic Map
Basic information about Israel, plus map of the country and surrounding Middle East area (which you can click on to enlarge.) Shows West Bank and Golan Heights.
Marvel! Maine'sVirtual Library and/or select:
Dictionaries and Encyclopedias,
Encyclopedia Britannica Online With access to four encyclopedias-Encyclopedia Britannica, Britannica Student Encyclopedia, Britannica Elementary Encyclopedia and Britannica Concise Encyclopedia- Britannica Online is a site for all ages. Users can locate information quickly by
usngBoolean operators (e.g. and, or, not); browsing A-Z; or typing in words, phrases, or questions to receive a list of relevance-ranked articles with related links. Dictionary and Thesaurus included.
MasterFILE Premier A broad range of topics including general interest, business, health and multi-cultural, designed specifically for the public library but a good tool for high school researchers..
Middle Search Plus Designed to assist middle and junior high school students in learning how to research current events, this research tool will serve senior high school students well too.
Primary Search Gathers information on a wide range of general topics for elementary schools and children"s reading rooms. Includes a searchable full text of articles, reports and special issues from over 50 of the most popular K-12 magazines. Includes searchable full text for over 100 pamphlet, essential documents in American History and the CIA Fact Book (and maps), The World Almanac of the U.S.A. and The World Almanac for Kids.
ProQuest Newspapers Provides the full text of more than 500 U.S. and international news sources. Includes The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, and the Times of London, plus hundreds of other news sources and news wires. Years of coverage vary by title.
Maine papers included: Bangor Daily News (1992+), Portland Press Herald (1995+), and selected business coverage from Maine Times (1994-2002) and Central Maine Morning Sentinel
(1993-1997).
Festivals.com
"Celebrating the World of Festivals and Events." Find out basic information about festivals
and celebrations that are being held in the world. Has keyword searching.
Handbooks and Guidebooks
The CIA World Factbook
Wide variety of information about countries of the world, including maps, prepared by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.
CNN Travel Guide
Maps, city guides, travel directions and much more travel information is offered here by CNN.
Maps
Altapedia Online
"Contains full color physical and political maps as well as key facts and statistics on countries of the world."
Dangerous Places (Pelton's)
Offers extensive travel and tourist information about the most dangerous countries of the world that people might want to visit. Includes background on the reasons for the danger (conflict) and the major "players" that make it so.
The Fascinating World of Maps and Mapping!
This is a very handy place to find maps of places of the world. It has many, many other mapping resources as well!
Interactive Map Atlas
Collection of maps of the world's countries. Also includes a geography glossary, time zones, travel statistics, and other such data.
Maps and References
"The maps which are listed are categorized by geographical region although there are a couple of thematic categories such as Interactive Maps which both highlights the potential of the WWW and are also fun to use."
Map Collection at Perry-Castaneda
Many maps from countries around the world are available here, at this excellent online map collection. Maps are organized by continent, and then by country. World maps are also available, and this one is very detailed and expandable.
Map Machine
Some maps from the world famous National Geographic organization.
Online Outline Maps
This site offers a selection of outline maps for use in the classroom or at home. Feel free to print or download any of these maps for your personal use in activities, reports, or stories.
U.S. Geological Survey
Geographical information for the United States is offered here. See and browse their new section: USGS Information by State for information on Earthquakes, Floods, Maps, Public Health, Volcanoes and other similar/realted topics.
Statistics
InfoNation
This is "an easy-to-use, two-step database that allows you to view and compare the most up-to-date statistical data for the Member States of the United Nations.... Statistics and indicators are provided by the United Nations Statistics Division from the World Statistics Pocketbook, Statistical Yearbook and Demographic Yearbook 1995, except languages."
History Sites
On This Day
The New York Times provides a look at the front page and news stories about important events from different years. Includes recognition of important birthdays, plus other information related to that day in history.
Today In History
A feature of the American Memory collections of the Library of Congress. A special historical, primary source feature for each day of the year. Here is the Today In History Archive of all past days.
Primary Sources: Major sites and Gateways
The following links connect with some of the best repositories of primary source materials on the Web and also include a large number of teaching materials and finding aids for use by librarians and others.
American Memory from the Library of Congress
National Archives and Records Administration
In-Depth Websites on Countries: Africa
Library of Congress Country Studies
African Regions
Click on the region of Africa, and it will take you to a page with groups of links to information resources for the countries in that region. This is a very well organized way to study Africa. Please note that there are several sets of links within each of the regional pages.
African Countries
Click on the name of the country, and it will take you to links to information resources for that country.
Africa: Washington Post
Search the Washington Post for articles and other information about the countries of the world. Also has links to other information for the countries.
Travel Guides From Lonely Planet Publishing
Traveling a country is a good way to get to know the people and culture. Lonely Planet offers travel guides for the countries of the world. Check out the guide for your country.
U.S. State Department Country Background
Background information about the countries of the world. First select a geographic region, then a country, and background information on that country will be displayed.
African Topics
Click on the name of the topic of interest for your country, and it will take you to links to information resources, such as: Arts & Architecture, Business & Trade, Food & Agriculture, Music & Films, Religious Studies, Women Issues.
Amnesty International Country Reports and Amnesty Main Page
This organization rates the countries of the world on the basis of their treatment of their citizens' human rights. Updated yearly. Very thorough and impartial reports are available in full-text, organized by year and continent, then country.
Derechos: Human Rights Around the World
This website offers reports on the countries of the world on the basis of their treatment of their citizens' human rights. Updated regularly. Very thorough links to information are available, organized by continent, then country.
Global Gateway: World Cultures and Resource
from the Library of Congress' World Cultures and Resources site.
Choose Portals to the World----from the Library of Congress, an awesome site for country information!
First Facts on International Relations and Security Trends
Access to a multitude of databases on major world topic
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
THE ANCIENT MIDDLE EAST
Hyperhistoryonline
Experience the "flow" of history through this "hypertext" chart!
A good place to see the major events and people that are part of our past.
Empires and Civilizations Timeline
Another very nice timeline showing the relationships of the various eras.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Sumerian Priestess of the Moon Goddess
This page includes a short biography of En Hedu'Anna, a priestess of the Moon Goddess in ancient Babylon. She is the "last in the long line of women who followed the stars and the cycles of the Moon and whose names are lost to us. She is the first in a long line of women whose names we know - the women who thought, created and built for the past 4000 years."
Notes on Mesopotamia
Encyclopedia Britannica Online Student Edition
Life in Mesopotamia
CURRENT MIDDLE EAST
Global connections: the middle east
Global Connections is the online home to a family of sites created to help teachers, students, and the general public learn more about events around the world through readings, lesson plans, links, timelines, and maps.
Middle East Issues: General Background Links
The Historical Context for Contemporary Interest in Islam --This is the Ione page introduction from Muslim Primer--Beginner's Guide to Islam by Ira G. Zepp Jr. It has been reprinted here with permission from the University of Arkansas Press, 2000.
Government Views of Iraq--from City College Libraries, a huge collection of links including primary resources
Islam Empire of Faith --from PBS, site includes the faith, culture, personalities, etc. in connection with the television program
Israeli Palestinian Conflict
U.S. Department of State's Information Update on Iraq
Iraq Resources
Encyclopedia of the Orient
This reference site covers the Middle East extensively. Organized alphabetically, and is searchable by key word as well.
Encyclopedia Britannica: The Middle East
The major articles from Britannica Online which deal with all aspects of the Middle East area.
U.N. Documents On the Question of Palestine
All United Nations documents that relate to the various problems related to the question of a state of Palestine are available here. Includes letters from Palestinians and other countries in the region which outline the problems as they see them.
Fact Sheet on the Middle East Peace Process
U.S. Department of State has prepared a "Fact Sheet" which outlines the peace process (as of 1995) in the Middle East, which began in 1991. Although a bit dated, it gives a useful summary of the process.
Middle East Recent News (BBC News)
The British Broadcasting Company created this special section with a variety of information relating to the issues and problems of the Middle East. See also the BBC Special Report: Peace In the Balance, which covers the background and people, but NOTE the 2000 date. It's still excellent for background information and to see what has worked and what hasn't so far.
The Middle East Situation (PBS)
The Online Newshour has provided extensive, in-depth coverage of the Middle East situation on their nightly news program. Here they make the transcripts of their programs available in full text. Includes regular interviews with the key players in the negotiations and events! Covers back to October 24, 1995.
Middle East Files: From Israel
The government of Israel made these documents related to Israel and the Middle East Peace Process available on the Internet, through their Israel Information Service Gopher. Please note that they are grouped into various folders. The Basic Reference Documents folder traces the history of the crises through a series of important treaties and related documents going back to 1917.
The Middle East (CNN)
From the Cable News Network: Read the latest news regarding issues and events in the Middle East.
Search the Jerusalem Post
Use this link to search the past issues of the Jerusalem Post, which is the major newspaper in Israel.
The Jewish Encyclopedia
The King James Bible
The Koran
Middle East Issues: People, Events and Issues
Welcome To Palestine
A website dedicated to providing information about Palestine and related matters.
Background on Islam --a series of links from Frontline on PBS to related information
Irag War Debate 2002 --from the University of Michigan Documents Center
Islam, Islamic Studies, Arabic, Religion --from the University of Georgia, a valuable set of links to information and materials.
Islam Empire of Faith --from PBS, site includes the faith, culture, personalities, etc. in connection with the television program
Israeli Palestinian Conflict
U.S. Department of State's Information Update on Iraq
Saddam Hussein and His Rise to Power
Middle East Issues: Maps
Maps of the Middle East
The Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection provides images of Middle East maps for individual countries, showing political and geographical features. The maps were mostly produced by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.
Historical Maps of the Middle East
The Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection provides images of Middle East maps going back more than 100 years.
Israel and Middle East: National Geographic Map
Basic information about Israel, plus map of the country and surrounding Middle East area (which you can click on to enlarge.) Shows West Bank and Golan Heights.