Country Profile
Physical Geography
1. Official Name of country: State of Israel
2. Climate: temperate; hot and dry in southern or eastern desert areas
3. Map:
4. Absolute Location: 31 to 30 degree North; 34 to 45 East
5. Relative Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon, bordering Jordan
Political Geography
1. Type of Government: parliamentary democracy
2. Capital: Jerusalem
International Organization Participation: BIS, BSEC (observer), CERN (observer), EBRD, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OAS (observer), OECD (accession state), OPCW (signatory), OSCE (partner), PCA, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
3. Size of Armed Forces:
Cultural Geography
1. Official Language: Hebrew
2. Other languages spoken: Arabic used officially for Arab minority, English most commonly used foreign language
3. Ethnic Composition:
I. Jewish 76.4% (of which Israel-born 67.1%, Europe/America-born 22.6%, Africa-born 5.9%, Asia-born 4.2%)
II. non-Jewish 23.6% (mostly Arab)
4. Major Religion: Jewish 76.4%, Muslim 16%, Arab Christians 1.7%, other Christian 0.4%, Druze 1.6%, unspecified 3.9%
5. Population: 6276900
6. Population Growth Rate: 1.671%
7. Population Distribution:
I 0~14 years: 27.9%
II 15~64 years: 62.3%
III 65 years and over: 9.9%
8. Major Cities: Ashdod, Jerusalem
9. Infant Mortality Rate: 4.22 deaths/1000 live birth
10. Average life expectancy: 80.73 years
Economical Geography
1. GNP (Gross National Products):
2. GDP (Gross Domestic Products): 203.4 billion (purchasing power parity)
3. Percent of Arable Land Used for Agriculture: 15.5%
4. Natural Resources: timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand
5. Major Agriculture Products: citrus, vegetables, cotton; beef, poultry, dairy products
6. Industrial Products: high-technology projects (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics, fiber optics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, construction, metals products, chemical products, plastics, diamond cutting, textiles, footwear
7. Major exports: machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural products, chemicals, textiles and apparel
8. Major imports: raw materials, military equipment, investment goods, rough diamonds, fuels, grain, consumer goods
9. Currency: New Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar: 3.56
10. Historical Events:
1516-1918 Ottoman: During the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent (1520-1566) the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem were rebuilt. Population of the Jewish community in Jerusalem increased.
1881 first modern immigration known as first aliyah (fled Pogrom)
917-1948 British: Great Britain recognized the rights of the Jewish people to establish a "national home in Palestine". Yet they greatly curtailed entry of Jewish refugees into Israel even after World War II. They split Palestine mandate into an Arab state which has become the modern day Jordan, and Israel.
1948 War of Independence: (Arab, Israeli war) one day after the creation of the State of Israel, the Arab armies of Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon invaded the new Jewish state. Armistice agreements were signed with Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria based on the frontlines as they were at the end of the fighting. These lines created the borders of the new state and as a result, Israel gained control of the areas which would have been part of the Arab state envisioned by the UN had the Arab world not gone to war with Israel.
1956 Sinai War: Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, threatening British and French interests in oil supplies and western trade. Their interests converging, Israel, Britain and France planned an attack on Egypt, with the former seeking free navigation through international waters and an end to terrorist attacks and the latter two hoping to seize control of the Suez Canal.
1967 Six Day War: May 16th ~ 22nd
1973 Yom Kippur War: from October 6 to October 26, 1973, between Israel and a coalition of Arab states backing Egypt and Syria.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
11/26/2009
1.) If you do not have your Country Profile (and by "you" I mean Anne), please post it immediately. .
2.) If you are not signed up for "The Wire" sign up immediately.
3.) Check out today's edition of "The Wire."
After number three and before number 4.) Watch the videos from last week.
4.) Take notes about the History of Iran.
5.) Begin researching Position Papers (Look at your previous Position Papers for an idea of what to do).
* Answer these questions...
a.) What is the IAEA?
b.) What does the IAEA do?
c.) How does the IAEA do this?
d.) What are some problems with the IAEA (is it effective or ineffective)?
e.) What is your country's relationship with the IAEA (are you cooperative or uncooperative)?
f.) What is your countries' history with developing, using, and trading nuclear weapons and nuclear technology (such as muclear power plants)?
g.) How will your country respond to Iran's attempt to develop nuclear weapons?
Hint: Each point for arguments shold be backed up by a source which you have cited and I strongly suggest that you do not use newspaper articles. I suggest you use reports by military organizations and the IAEA. Also, pictures will help a lot this time around. Try to make things visual
*** STARTING TODAY, YOUR GRADE (and your argument during caucus time and in Security Council meetings) WILL SUFFER IF YOU DO NOT CITE SOURCES!
Enjoy,
Mr. Gibson
2.) If you are not signed up for "The Wire" sign up immediately.
3.) Check out today's edition of "The Wire."
After number three and before number 4.) Watch the videos from last week.
4.) Take notes about the History of Iran.
5.) Begin researching Position Papers (Look at your previous Position Papers for an idea of what to do).
* Answer these questions...
a.) What is the IAEA?
b.) What does the IAEA do?
c.) How does the IAEA do this?
d.) What are some problems with the IAEA (is it effective or ineffective)?
e.) What is your country's relationship with the IAEA (are you cooperative or uncooperative)?
f.) What is your countries' history with developing, using, and trading nuclear weapons and nuclear technology (such as muclear power plants)?
g.) How will your country respond to Iran's attempt to develop nuclear weapons?
Hint: Each point for arguments shold be backed up by a source which you have cited and I strongly suggest that you do not use newspaper articles. I suggest you use reports by military organizations and the IAEA. Also, pictures will help a lot this time around. Try to make things visual
*** STARTING TODAY, YOUR GRADE (and your argument during caucus time and in Security Council meetings) WILL SUFFER IF YOU DO NOT CITE SOURCES!
Enjoy,
Mr. Gibson
Country Profile-- Iran
Country Profile
Physical Geography
- Official Name of Country: Islamic Republic of Iran
- Climate: mostly arid or semiarid. Subtropical along the Caspian Coast.
- Map
- Absolute Location: 32 00N, 53 00E
- Relative location: In the Middle East, between Iraq and Pakistan.
- Absolute Location: 32 00N, 53 00E
Political Geography
- Type of government: Theocratic Republic.
- Major political parties: Islamic Iran Participation Front (IIPF), Executives of Construction Party (Kargozaran), Solidarity Party, Islamic Labor Party, Mardom Salari, Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution Organization (MIRO), and Militant Clerics Society (Ruhaniyun);
- Capital: Tehran
- International Organization participation: CP, ECO, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, SAARC (observer), SCO (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
- Size of armed forces: males age 16-49: 20,212,275
Females age 16-49: 19,638,751 (2008 EST.)
Cultural Geography
- Official language: no official language.
- other languages spoken: Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2%
- ethnic composition: Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1%
- major religions: Muslim 98% (Shia 89%, Sunni 9%), other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i) 2%
- Population: 66,429,284 (July 2009 est.)
- Population growth: 0.883% (2009EST)
- Infant mortality rate and average life expectancy: 35.78 deaths / 1000live births. 71.1 average expectancy age.
- Population growth: 0.883% (2009EST)
Economic Geography
- GDP (Gross Domestic Product): 843.7 billion
- Percent of arable land used for agriculture: 9.78%
- Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur
- Major agricultural and industrial products: wheat, rice, sugar beets, sugar cane, fruits, nuts, cotton; dairy products, wool; caviar. Petroleum, fertilizers, textiles, food processing, armaments
- Major exports: petroleum 80%, chemical and petrochemical products, fruits and nuts, carpets
- Major imports: industrial raw materials and intermediate goods, capital goods, foodstuffs and other consumer goods, technical services
- Currency (include exchange rate vs. TWD)9142.8 Iranian Rials(IRR) per US dollar
- Balance of trade: 335.2 billion (2008 EST.)
- Historical events (Timeline format from 1980 to present; give your teacher 10 major events):
- Currency (include exchange rate vs. TWD)9142.8 Iranian Rials(IRR) per US dollar
1220 - Invasion by Mongol forces of Genghis Khan.
1639 - Treaty of Qasr-e Shirin (or Treaty of Zuhab) ends about 150 years of war against Ottoman Empire.
1914-1918 - Iran declares neutrality but is scene of heavy fighting during World War I.
1935 - Formerly known as Persia, Iran is adopted as the country's official name.
1980 22 September - Start of Iran-Iraq war which lasts for eight years.
1988 July - Iran accepts a ceasefire agreement with Iraq following negotiations in Geneva under the aegis of the UN.
1990 September - Iran and Iraq resume diplomatic ties.
2002 September - Russian technicians begin construction of Iran's first nuclear reactor at Bushehr despite strong objections from US.
2003 September - UN nuclear watchdog, IAEA, gives Tehran weeks to prove it is not pursuing an atomic weapons programme.
2004 June - Iran is rebuked by the IAEA for failing to fully cooperate with an inquiry into its nuclear activities.
2006 January - Iran breaks IAEA seals at its Natanz nuclear research facility.
2007 May - IAEA says Iran could develop a nuclear weapon in three to eight years if it so chooses.
References: CIA world factbook
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ir.html
BBC Time Line- Iran http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/country_profiles/806268.stm
Country Profile-United States
Physical Geography
Official Name of Country: United States of America
Climate: mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida, arctic in Alaska, semiarid in the great plains west of the Mississippi River, and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest
Absolute Location: 38 00 N, 97 00 W
Relative location: North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico
Political Geography
Type of government: Constitution-based federal republic; strong democratic tradition
Major political parties: Democratic Party, Green Party, Libertarian Party, Republican Party
Capital: Washington D.C.
International Organization participation: ADB, AfDB, ANZUS, APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEA, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CBSS, CE, CERN, CP, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAFTA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF, SAARC, SECI, SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Cultural Geography
Official language: English
Other languages spoken: Spanish, French
Ethnic composition: White 79.96%, Black 12.85%, Asian 4.43%
Major religions: Protestant 51.3%, Roman Catholic 23.9%
Population: 307,212,123
Population growth rate: 0.975%
Major cities: Washington D.C, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, Detroit, New Orleans, Chicago, Memphis, Houston, Dallas, Oklahoma City, Denver, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle
Infant mortality rate: 6.26 deaths/1,000 live births
Average life expectancy: 78.11 years
Economic Geography
GDP: $14.44 trillion
Major exports: agricultural products 9.2%, industrial supplies 26.8%, capital goods 49.0%, consumer goods 15.0%
Major imports: agricultural products 4.9%, industrial supplies 32.9%, capital goods 30.4%, consumer goods 31.8%
Currency: 32.36NT: $1
Balance of trade: Export: $4.132 trillion
References:
CIA World factbook:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ug.html
Official Name of Country: United States of America
Climate: mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida, arctic in Alaska, semiarid in the great plains west of the Mississippi River, and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest
Absolute Location: 38 00 N, 97 00 W
Relative location: North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico
Political Geography
Type of government: Constitution-based federal republic; strong democratic tradition
Major political parties: Democratic Party, Green Party, Libertarian Party, Republican Party
Capital: Washington D.C.
International Organization participation: ADB, AfDB, ANZUS, APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEA, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CBSS, CE, CERN, CP, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAFTA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF, SAARC, SECI, SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Cultural Geography
Official language: English
Other languages spoken: Spanish, French
Ethnic composition: White 79.96%, Black 12.85%, Asian 4.43%
Major religions: Protestant 51.3%, Roman Catholic 23.9%
Population: 307,212,123
Population growth rate: 0.975%
Major cities: Washington D.C, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, Detroit, New Orleans, Chicago, Memphis, Houston, Dallas, Oklahoma City, Denver, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle
Infant mortality rate: 6.26 deaths/1,000 live births
Average life expectancy: 78.11 years
Economic Geography
GDP: $14.44 trillion
Major exports: agricultural products 9.2%, industrial supplies 26.8%, capital goods 49.0%, consumer goods 15.0%
Major imports: agricultural products 4.9%, industrial supplies 32.9%, capital goods 30.4%, consumer goods 31.8%
Currency: 32.36NT: $1
Balance of trade: Export: $4.132 trillion
References:
CIA World factbook:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ug.html
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Uganda country profile, Tina
Country Profile: Uganda
- Official country name: Republic of Uganda
Physical Geography
- Climate: tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); semiarid in northeast
Map
- Location: Eastern Africa, west of Kenya
1 00 N, 32 00 E
- Border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 765 km, Kenya 933 km, Rwanda 169 km, Sudan 435 km, Tanzania 396 km
- total: 241,038 sq km
- land: 197,100 sq km
- water: 43,938 sq km
Political Geography
- Type of government: republic
- Major political parties: Conservative Party or CP [Ken LUKYAMUZI]; Democratic Party or DP [Kizito SSEBAANA]; Forum for Democratic Change or FDC [Kizza BESIGYE]; Justice Forum or JEEMA [Muhammad Kibirige MAYANJA]; National Resistance Movement or NRM [Yoweri MUSEVENI]; Peoples Progressive Party or PPP [Bidandi SSALI]; Ugandan People's Congress or UPC [Miria OBOTE]
- Capital: Kampala
- International Organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Cultural Geography
- Official language: English
- Other languages spoken: Ganda or Luganda (most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages, preferred for native language publications in the capital and may be taught in school), other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, Arabic
- Population: 32,369,558
- Age structure:
0-14 years: 50% (male 8,152,830/female 8,034,366)
15-64 years: 47.9% (male 7,789,209/female 7,703,143)
65 years and over: 2.1% (male 286,693/female 403,317)
- Age structure:
- Population growth rate: 2.692%
- Major(large) cities:
- Infant mortality rate: 64.82 deaths/1,000 live births
- Average life expectancy: 52.72 years
- Religion: Roman Catholic 41.9%, Protestant 42% (Anglican 35.9%, Pentecostal 4.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.5%), Muslim 12.1%, other 3.1%, none 0.9%
Economic Geography
- GDP: $40.08 billion
- Percent of arable land used for agriculture:
- Natural resources: copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land, gold
- Currency: Ugandan shillings (UGX) per US dollar - 1,658.1
Historical events:
1500 - Bito dynasties of Buganda, Bunyoro and Ankole founded by Nilotic-speaking immigrants from present-day southeastern Sudan.
British influence
1877 - Members of the British Missionary Society arrive in Buganda.
1890 - Britain and Germany sign treaty giving Britain rights to what was to become Uganda.
1894 - Uganda becomes a British protectorate.
1958 - Uganda given internal self-government.
1962 - Uganda becomes independent with Milton Obote as prime minister and with Buganda enjoying considerable autonomy.
1963 - Uganda becomes a republic with Mutesa as president.
1967 - New constitution vests considerable power in the president and divides Buganda into four districts.
Idi Amin years
1976 - Idi Amin declares himself president for life and claims parts of Kenya.
Milton Obote becomes president after elections.
1985 - Obote deposed in military coup and is replaced by Tito Okello.
1986 - National Resistance Army rebels take Kampala and install Yoweri Museveni as president.
Beginnings of recovery
2001 January - East African Community (EAC) inaugurated in Arusha, Tanzania, laying groundwork for common East African passport, flag, economic and monetary integration. Members are Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya.
Campaign against rebels
2002 March - Sudan, Uganda sign agreement aimed at containing Ugandan rebel group, Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), active along common border. Kony they have kidnapped thousands of children and displaced many civilians.
2002 December - Peace deal signed with Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF) rebels after more than five years of negotiations.
2006 November - Government rejects a United Nations report accusing the army of using indiscriminate and excessive force in its campaign to disarm tribal warriors in the lawless northeastern region of Karamoja.
The UN World Food Programme says it will have to halve food handouts to more than 1 million people displaced by war in the north.
2009 February - Opposition criticises appointment of president's wife Janet Museveni as minister for Karamoja region. President says no one else wanted the job.
References:
CAI World factbook:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ug.html
BBC Timeline Uganda:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1069181.stm
Friday, November 20, 2009
Country Profile of China
Country Profile of China
Country Profile by Sabrina Su
Physical Geography
1. Official Name: People's Republic of China
2. Climate: extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north
3. Map
1. Absolute location: 35 00 N, 105 00 E
2. Relative location: Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam
Political Geography
1. Type of government: Communist state
2. Capital: Beijing
3. International Organization participation: ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, APT, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, CDB, EAS, FAO, G-20, G-24 (observer), G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SCO, SICA (observer), UN, UN Security Council, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
4. Size of armed forces:
Cultural Geography
1. Official language: Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages (see Ethnic groups entry)
2. Ethnic group: Han Chinese 91.5%, Zhuang, Manchu, Hui, Miao, Uyghur, Tujia, Yi, Mongol, Tibetan, Buyi, Dong, Yao, Korean, and other nationalities 8.5% (2000 census)
3. major religions: Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Christian 3%-4%, Muslim 1%-2%
note: officially atheist (2002 est.)
4. Population: 1,338,612,968 (July 2009 est.)
5. Population growth rate: 0.655% (2009 est.)
6. Population distribution: 0-14 years: 19.8% (male 140,877,745/female 124,290,090) 15-64 years: 72.1% (male 495,724,889/female 469,182,087)
65 years and over: 8.1% (male 51,774,115/female 56,764,042) (2009 est.)
7. Major cities: Beijing (Capital of China), Shanghai, Chongqing, Tianjin, Guangdong
8. Infant mortality rate: 20.25 deaths/1,000 live births
9. Average life expectancy: male:71.61 years, female: 75.52 years (2009 est.)
10. Teachers and doctors per population:
Economic Geography1 . GNP (Gross National Product) : 2. GDP (Gross Domestic Product): $4.327 trillion (2008 est.)
3. Percent of arable land used for agriculture:
4. Natural resources: natural gas, oil
5. Major agricultural products: rice, wheat, potatoes, corn, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, apples, cotton, oilseed, pork, fish.
6. Industrial products: mining and ore processing, iron, steel, aluminum, and other metals, coal; machine building; armaments; textiles and apparel; petroleum; cement; chemicals; fertilizers; consumer products, including footwear, toys, and electronics; food processing; transportation equipment, including automobiles, rail cars and locomotives, ships, and aircraft; telecommunications equipment, commercial space launch vehicles, satellites
7. Major exports: electrical and other machinery, including data processing equipment, apparel, textiles, iron and steel, optical and medical equipment.
8. Imports: electrical and other machinery, oil and mineral fuels, optical and medical equipment, metal ores, plastics, organic chemicals
9. Currency: Renminbi yuan (RMB) per Taiwan Dollar- 4.74247 (2009 est.)
10. Balance of trade: Renminbi yuan (RMB) per US dollar - 6.9385 (2008 est.)
11. Historical events:
1986-90 - China's "Open-door policy" opens the country to foreign investment and encourages development of a market economy and private sector.
1989 - Troops open fire on demonstrators who have camped for weeks in Tiananmen Square initially to demand the posthumous rehabilitation of former CCP General Secretary Hu Yaobang, who was forced to resign in 1987. The official death toll is 200. International outrage leads to sanctions.
1989 - Jiang Zemin takes over as Chinese Communist Party general secretary from Zhao Ziyang, who refused to support martial law during the Tiananmen demonstrations.
Stockmarkets open in Shanghai and Shenzhen.
1992 - Russia and China sign declaration restoring friendly ties.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) ranks China's economy as third largest in the world after the US and Japan.
1997 - Deng Xiaoping dies, aged 92. Rioting erupts in Yining, Xinjiang and on day of Deng's funeral Xinjiang separatists plant three bombs on buses in Urumqi, Xinjiang, killing nine and injuring 74.
Hong Kong reverts to Chinese control.
2001
November - China joins the World Trade Organisation
2002 November - Vice-President Hu Jintao is named head of the ruling Communist Party, replacing Jiang Zemin, the outgoing president. Jiang is re-elected head of the influential Central Military Commission, which oversees the armed forces.
2003 March - National People's Congress elects Hu Jintao as president. He replaces Jiang Zemin, who steps down after 10 years in the post.
2007 October - China launches its first moon orbiter.
2008 January - The worst snowstorms in decades are reported to have affected up to 100 million people.
2008 May - A massive earthquake hits Sichuan province, killing tens of thousands.
2008 August - Beijing hosts Olympic Games.
Hua Guofeng, who succeeded Mao Zedong for a short period in 1976, dies in Beijing aged 87
Reference: x-rates.com, CIA World Fact book, BBC News
Country Profile by Sabrina Su
Physical Geography
1. Official Name: People's Republic of China
2. Climate: extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north
3. Map
1. Absolute location: 35 00 N, 105 00 E
2. Relative location: Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam
Political Geography
1. Type of government: Communist state
2. Capital: Beijing
3. International Organization participation: ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, APT, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, CDB, EAS, FAO, G-20, G-24 (observer), G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SCO, SICA (observer), UN, UN Security Council, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
4. Size of armed forces:
Cultural Geography
1. Official language: Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages (see Ethnic groups entry)
2. Ethnic group: Han Chinese 91.5%, Zhuang, Manchu, Hui, Miao, Uyghur, Tujia, Yi, Mongol, Tibetan, Buyi, Dong, Yao, Korean, and other nationalities 8.5% (2000 census)
3. major religions: Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Christian 3%-4%, Muslim 1%-2%
note: officially atheist (2002 est.)
4. Population: 1,338,612,968 (July 2009 est.)
5. Population growth rate: 0.655% (2009 est.)
6. Population distribution: 0-14 years: 19.8% (male 140,877,745/female 124,290,090) 15-64 years: 72.1% (male 495,724,889/female 469,182,087)
65 years and over: 8.1% (male 51,774,115/female 56,764,042) (2009 est.)
7. Major cities: Beijing (Capital of China), Shanghai, Chongqing, Tianjin, Guangdong
8. Infant mortality rate: 20.25 deaths/1,000 live births
9. Average life expectancy: male:71.61 years, female: 75.52 years (2009 est.)
10. Teachers and doctors per population:
Economic Geography1 . GNP (Gross National Product) : 2. GDP (Gross Domestic Product): $4.327 trillion (2008 est.)
3. Percent of arable land used for agriculture:
4. Natural resources: natural gas, oil
5. Major agricultural products: rice, wheat, potatoes, corn, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, apples, cotton, oilseed, pork, fish.
6. Industrial products: mining and ore processing, iron, steel, aluminum, and other metals, coal; machine building; armaments; textiles and apparel; petroleum; cement; chemicals; fertilizers; consumer products, including footwear, toys, and electronics; food processing; transportation equipment, including automobiles, rail cars and locomotives, ships, and aircraft; telecommunications equipment, commercial space launch vehicles, satellites
7. Major exports: electrical and other machinery, including data processing equipment, apparel, textiles, iron and steel, optical and medical equipment.
8. Imports: electrical and other machinery, oil and mineral fuels, optical and medical equipment, metal ores, plastics, organic chemicals
9. Currency: Renminbi yuan (RMB) per Taiwan Dollar- 4.74247 (2009 est.)
10. Balance of trade: Renminbi yuan (RMB) per US dollar - 6.9385 (2008 est.)
11. Historical events:
1986-90 - China's "Open-door policy" opens the country to foreign investment and encourages development of a market economy and private sector.
1989 - Troops open fire on demonstrators who have camped for weeks in Tiananmen Square initially to demand the posthumous rehabilitation of former CCP General Secretary Hu Yaobang, who was forced to resign in 1987. The official death toll is 200. International outrage leads to sanctions.
1989 - Jiang Zemin takes over as Chinese Communist Party general secretary from Zhao Ziyang, who refused to support martial law during the Tiananmen demonstrations.
Stockmarkets open in Shanghai and Shenzhen.
1992 - Russia and China sign declaration restoring friendly ties.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) ranks China's economy as third largest in the world after the US and Japan.
1997 - Deng Xiaoping dies, aged 92. Rioting erupts in Yining, Xinjiang and on day of Deng's funeral Xinjiang separatists plant three bombs on buses in Urumqi, Xinjiang, killing nine and injuring 74.
Hong Kong reverts to Chinese control.
2001
November - China joins the World Trade Organisation
2002 November - Vice-President Hu Jintao is named head of the ruling Communist Party, replacing Jiang Zemin, the outgoing president. Jiang is re-elected head of the influential Central Military Commission, which oversees the armed forces.
2003 March - National People's Congress elects Hu Jintao as president. He replaces Jiang Zemin, who steps down after 10 years in the post.
2007 October - China launches its first moon orbiter.
2008 January - The worst snowstorms in decades are reported to have affected up to 100 million people.
2008 May - A massive earthquake hits Sichuan province, killing tens of thousands.
2008 August - Beijing hosts Olympic Games.
Hua Guofeng, who succeeded Mao Zedong for a short period in 1976, dies in Beijing aged 87
Reference: x-rates.com, CIA World Fact book, BBC News
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Sources of Information
- Nuclear Forces Guide
- http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/
- History of South Africa, Taiwan, Brazil, Argentina, and South Korea's Nuclear Programs
- Video of Israeli plant at
- Questions
- Who is Mordechai Vanunu?
- QUESTIONS: Who helped Pakistan develop nuclear weapons? HINT: They are on the Security Council.
- Who is Mordechai Vanunu?
- Pictures of "Smiling Buddha"
- http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/
Posted by Mr. Gibson at 6:46 PM
0 comments
position paper of Cote d'Ivoire
Cote d'Ivoire Position Paper
Roger Lin and Joseph Hsieh
Influenza A (H1N1) virus is a subtype of influenza A virus and the most common cause of influenza (flu) in humans. Some strains of H1N1 are endemic in humans and cause a small fraction of all influenza-like illness and a small fraction of all seasonal influenza. H1N1 strains caused a few percent all human flu infections in 2004-2005[1]. Other strains of H1N1 are endemic in pigs (swine influenza) and in birds (avian influenza).
In June 2009, World Health Organization declared that flu due to a new strain of swine-origin H1N1 was responsible for the 2009 flu pandemic. This strain is often called swine flu by the public media.
Two cases of A/H1N1 flu have been diagnosed in Cote d'Ivoire, the Health Ministry said on Saturday.
The confirmation came after the World Heath Organization (WHO) analyzed the two suspected cases reported several days ago and found them positive,
Two women were tested positive for A/H1N1 virus after they were suspected of suffering from the pandemic on June 19,
Roger Lin and Joseph Hsieh
Influenza A (H1N1) virus is a subtype of influenza A virus and the most common cause of influenza (flu) in humans. Some strains of H1N1 are endemic in humans and cause a small fraction of all influenza-like illness and a small fraction of all seasonal influenza. H1N1 strains caused a few percent all human flu infections in 2004-2005[1]. Other strains of H1N1 are endemic in pigs (swine influenza) and in birds (avian influenza).
In June 2009, World Health Organization declared that flu due to a new strain of swine-origin H1N1 was responsible for the 2009 flu pandemic. This strain is often called swine flu by the public media.
Two cases of A/H1N1 flu have been diagnosed in Cote d'Ivoire, the Health Ministry said on Saturday.
The confirmation came after the World Heath Organization (WHO) analyzed the two suspected cases reported several days ago and found them positive,
Two women were tested positive for A/H1N1 virus after they were suspected of suffering from the pandemic on June 19,
Argentina Position Paper
Argentina Position Paper
Committee: Commission on World Heath
Topic: The Prevention of the Spread of H1N1
Delegate: Kelly Kuo, Sarah Hsu
On May, 9, 2009, the first H1N1 case was confirmed in Argentina and from then on, the number had increased rapidly. Not just Argentina, the whole world is facing this serious health problem which is at least causing at least 2800 people’s death. Now, Argentina is facing the problem of being the third-highest death rate in the world. Our country had strongly recommending people to constant hand washing, uses the handkerchief while sneezing and stay home if had a fever. Now, the vaccine is out and Argentina’s government recommended children and old age people to take it. Some said that the vaccine was not safe to injected, but Argentina’s government claims that it is definitely safe to inject it. With cure and vaccine, it is how to make our people not to be too worried about H1N1 is what we concerned. Our government had strongly propagated about the death possibility of H1N1 had already decrease and tell people not to worried about it. Argentina believed that H1N1 is a serious problem but people don’t need to panic. Maybe other countries may say that H1N1 is not as scary as people think, but facing the third-highest death rate in the world, Argentina’s government can’t ignore this serious problem. We also believe that we need more help on health care on this issue.
Committee: Commission on World Heath
Topic: The Prevention of the Spread of H1N1
Delegate: Kelly Kuo, Sarah Hsu
On May, 9, 2009, the first H1N1 case was confirmed in Argentina and from then on, the number had increased rapidly. Not just Argentina, the whole world is facing this serious health problem which is at least causing at least 2800 people’s death. Now, Argentina is facing the problem of being the third-highest death rate in the world. Our country had strongly recommending people to constant hand washing, uses the handkerchief while sneezing and stay home if had a fever. Now, the vaccine is out and Argentina’s government recommended children and old age people to take it. Some said that the vaccine was not safe to injected, but Argentina’s government claims that it is definitely safe to inject it. With cure and vaccine, it is how to make our people not to be too worried about H1N1 is what we concerned. Our government had strongly propagated about the death possibility of H1N1 had already decrease and tell people not to worried about it. Argentina believed that H1N1 is a serious problem but people don’t need to panic. Maybe other countries may say that H1N1 is not as scary as people think, but facing the third-highest death rate in the world, Argentina’s government can’t ignore this serious problem. We also believe that we need more help on health care on this issue.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Iran’s Nuclear Program (Day One)
Ni hao,
Our next conference will be two parts. The first will be a General Assembly in which each country will discuss Iran. The second part will be a UN Security Council in which Iran has begun to enrich nuclear
Today's assignment
- Watch IAEA video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwPlZZ8cBac
- Notes on IAEA/History of nations getting Nukes.
- LEARN: What is the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)? Has your country signed it or not?
- LEARN: What is the Non-Proliferation treaty (NPT)? Has your country signed it?
- LEARN: What are NWS countries. Is your country a NWS?
- LEARN: What is "Smiling Buddha?
- Watch speeches by your character (below)
- Start work on Country Profiles (and finish for homework)
*** I will grade harder this time! I will take off points for bad citation in your country reports and position papers!!!
Speeches by your leaders at the General Assembly
IRAN (Mahmoud Ahmadenijad - Annie)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EBgqgIWuoc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho_0qRFFMVk&NR=1&feature=fvwp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxwNmAFcKrw&feature=related (only first part)
ISRAEL (Benjamin Netanyahu – Anne)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44HkjBDQz_k (you must download the other three parts)
Opposition to
USA (Barack Obama – Eric)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2jCp0xapEM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ee0wrjVtkk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfQYv61SilI (only on non proliferation)
(part two of proliferation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFMJ_dIFxAQ&feature=related )
CHINA (Hu Jintao – Sabrina)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4lyup7t1Xw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxwNmAFcKrw&feature=related (only first part)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=panhtpUGnuM
DIRECTOR GENERAL OF IEAE (Mohammed El Baradei - Tina)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUv775nY6UQ&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckFglwn-oho&feature=fvw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29T8cxLbLIQ
find other ones on youtube
IAEA Press Releases
Ni hao,
Some of these IAEA Press Releases will deal with Iran. Find articles which will help you write your position paper and caucus outline. REMEMBER TO CITE YOUR SOURCES!!!
http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/PressReleases/index.html
Mr. Gibson
Monday, November 16, 2009
Homework Tomorrow
Sign up for "The Wire." Go to the link below and follow the instructions. It will give you daily updates of important UN related news (including Iran's nuclear program).
http://www.smartbrief.com/un_wire/
Mr. Gibson
http://www.smartbrief.com/un_wire/
Mr. Gibson
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Belize Position Paper
Rita Lin & Lynn Kuo
Belize Position Paper
Basically, every country of all over the world has problems of H1N1. H1N1 is a really hot issue all over the world now. Belize is one of the victims and H1N1 damages Belize really serious. There are some cases occurred in Belize. In fact, there are lots of business man that had been effect by the H1N1 virus in Belize and the most dangerous thing is that. They won’t have a security health check until they got back to their own country. It’s really dangerous about this.
The actual number of the victim in Belize were 23, it’s much more less than the number of America which 43,771. But, there were basically no people dying because of this Belize.
While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps - not fully highlighted in most official communications- can be practiced.
1. Frequent hand-washing
2. "Hands-off-the-face"
3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water
Belize Position Paper
Basically, every country of all over the world has problems of H1N1. H1N1 is a really hot issue all over the world now. Belize is one of the victims and H1N1 damages Belize really serious. There are some cases occurred in Belize. In fact, there are lots of business man that had been effect by the H1N1 virus in Belize and the most dangerous thing is that. They won’t have a security health check until they got back to their own country. It’s really dangerous about this.
The actual number of the victim in Belize were 23, it’s much more less than the number of America which 43,771. But, there were basically no people dying because of this Belize.
While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps - not fully highlighted in most official communications- can be practiced.
1. Frequent hand-washing
2. "Hands-off-the-face"
3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
MIDTERM REVIEW
Vocabulary
- International Telegraph Union
- International Olympic Committee
- 14 Points
- League of Nations
- Paris Peace Conference
- Treaty of Versailles
- Russian-Polish War of 1920-1921
- Italian Invasion of Ethiopia
- Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Treaty
- Dumbarton Oaks Conference of 1944
- Yalta Conference of 1945
- "Big Three" (people)
- UN Charter (What is it?)
- Nuremberg Trials (1945-1949)
- UN Security Council
- Veto rights
- Big Five (countries)
- rotating ten (countries)
- International Criminal Court
- General Assembly
- Secretary-General
- World Bank
- International Monetary Fund
- World Health Organization
- sanctions
- Remember to include the year that each event happens. If an event happened in 1945, please include the month.
People
- Woodrow Wilson
- Joseph Stalin (Big Three Soviet Union)
- Adolph Hitler
- Winston Churchill (Big Three – England)
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Big Three USA)
- Benito Mussolini
- Ho Chi Minh
Questions of the Semester
- Why did the League of Nations fail? What was wrong with it (four things explain how each hurt it)?
Why do we have the United Nations (two reasons…explain each and give examples)? What happens at the UN? HINT: Why did people create the international Telegraph Union and International Olympic Committee? One was ___________. One was in order to make ___________.
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