COUNTRIES COMPARISON ASSIGNMENT
The purpose of this assignment is to have you become more familiar with other countries of the world and to use
statistical information as a basis for insightful analysis. In order to obtain the necessary information, you will be
using the CIA World Factbook found at www.cia.gov. Once you have accumulated all the information, use the data
to draw conclusions about Canada’s position in the world.
Instructions
1. Access the CIA World Factbook to fill-in the enclosed chart. You must select 6 different countries which must
include the following (Canada, and one each from the following regions: Central/South America, Europe, Asia,
Africa, and Oceania). Get more out of this assignment by selecting countries that you are unfamiliar with. If you find
a country you have chosen has no data for one of the bar graph categories, then choose another one.
2. Prepare a map of the world that has each of your selected countries properly labelled. Do not forget the rules for
mapping: title, border, compass, legend, labels, and colour!
3. Prepare separate bar graphs (4 in total) for the following categories (make sure that all six countries appear in
each of your graphs – do not forget the proper labels/titles and colour):
a. GDP Per Capita
b. Unemployment Rate
c. External Debt
d. Military Expenditures as a % of GDP
*You can prepare the graphs by hand using the blank graphs provided, or construct your graphs using Microsoft
Excel.
4. Have an insightful look at all of the information and draw conclusions about Canada in comparison to the rest of
the world. How does Canada compare to other nations? Are we really better off? Are there areas in which Canada
needs to improve? What other information do you think would help make a better analysis? Where could this
information be obtained? You should write/type at least a page for this analysis.
5. All four components (chart, map, graphs, written analysis) must be handed in together with an accompanying
title page and the rubric.
Due Date:
COUNTRIES COMPARISON ASSIGNMENT RUBRIC
Level 4
10
9
8
All sections of the chart
are complete and/or
accurate
Level 3
7
Most sections of the
chart are complete
and/or accurate
Level 2
6
Some sections of the
chart are complete
and/or accurate
Level 1
5
Many sections of the
chart are not complete
and/or accurate
10
9
8
Conclusions made with a
high degree of
effectiveness
7
Conclusions made with a
considerable degree of
effectiveness
6
Conclusions made with
some degree of
effectiveness
5
Conclusions made with a
limited degree of
effectiveness
/10
Offers excellent
suggestions about new
sources of information
10
9
8
Information is
communicated with a
high degree of clarity
and/or effectiveness
Offers adequate
suggestions about new
sources of information
7
Information is
communicated with a
considerable degree of
clarity and/or
effectiveness
Offers satisfactory
suggestions about new
sources of information
6
Information is
communicated with
some degree of clarity
and/or effectiveness
Offers limited
suggestions about new
sources of information
5
Information is
communicated with a
limited degree of clarity
and/or effectiveness
Bar Graphs
(Application)
No spelling and/or
grammar mistakes
10
9
8
Bar graphs contain the
appropriate labels
Minimal spelling and/or
grammar mistakes
7
Bar graphs contain most
of the appropriate labels
Several spelling and/or
grammar mistakes
6
Bar graphs contain some
of the appropriate labels
Major spelling and/or
grammar mistakes
5
Bar graphs contain little
of the appropriate labels
Bar graphs are accurate
and/or neat
Most of the bar graphs
are accurate and/or neat
Some of the bar graphs
are accurate and/or neat
--------------------------------Map contains all of the
essentials
--------------------------------Map contains most of
the essentials
--------------------------------Map contains some of
the essentials
Most of the bar graphs
are not accurate and/or
neat
--------------------------------Map contains little of the
essentials
Map is accurate and/or
neat
Most of the map is
accurate and/or neat
Some of the map is
accurate and/or neat
Most of the map is not
accurate and/or neat
Chart
(Knowledge)
/10
Analysis
(Thinking)
/10
Analysis
(Communication)
/10
Map
(Application)
/5
COUNTRIES COMPARISON CHART
Category
Location
Area (sq km)
Climate
( and mm)
Natural Resources
o
Arable Land (%)
Population
Growth Rate
Literacy Rate
Government Type
GDP Per Capita
Household Income
Unemployment Rate
Exports
Imports
External Debt
Military Expenditures
(% of GDP)
Canada
North America
Central/South
America
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania