Country Comparison Assignment 4U
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, compared to other nations.
Instructions
1. Chart of Data
Access the CIA World Factbook (on the right hand side menu of website homepage) to fill in the required
information on the chart (handout provided). You must select 6 different
countries which must include the following: Canada (already listed), 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. Each of your selections
must be an independent nation.
2. Complete a map of the world that has each of your selected countries properly labeled, with country
name, capital city, continental region, surrounding countries and bodies of water if applicable, in colour.
3. Graph the results* of your research (6 in total) for the following categories (make sure that all six
countries appear in each of your graphs):
a. Life Expectancy
b. Population Growth Rate
c. Literacy Rate
d. GDP per Capita
e. Unemployment rate
f. Military expenditures as a % of GDP
*Make sure to identify on your graphs (perhaps in a title) whether each comparison factor for
a to f above is an indication of “social development” or “economic development”
4. Discuss your insights and conclusions (Written Component)
Have an insightful look at all of the information and draw conclusions about Canada in comparison to the
rest of the world. To do this, respond to the following questions in an organized essay format:
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? Discuss any information that you found exceptionally interesting, for example
something you did not know or did not expect to discover. Fully explain all of your rationale.
2-3 pages (typed, double spaced) is required for this section.
5. Format: All four components (completed chart, labeled map, 6 graphs, 2-3 page analysis in essay
format (with intro paragraph, main body and concluding paragraph) must be handed in together with an
accompanying title page. Include a properly formatted bibliography of your sources of
information.
Due Date: ______________________________
Countries Comparison Chart
Location
Area
(sq km)
Natural
Resources
Environmental
Issues
Population
Growth Rate
Life
Expectancy
Ethnic Groups
Religions
Languages
Literacy Rate
School Life
Expectancy
Government
Type
Canada
North
Latin
Europe
America America
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Location
GDP per
Capita
Household
Income
Unemployment
Rate
Major
Industries
External Debt
Internet Users
Telephone
Mobile Users
Radio Stations
Television
Channels
Military Age
and Obligation
Military
Expenditure
(% of GDP)
Transnational
Issues
Canada
North
Latin
Europe
America America
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Name: ____________________________________
Criteria/Level
Knowledge and Understanding
Student demonstrate ability to
understand what different values
mean when comparing and
interpreting countries as revealed
through analysis of data.
Thinking and Inquiry
Student’s analysis of comparison
data is insightful and thorough.
Connections are made about how
various criteria reveal the state
and nature (or lack thereof) of a
country in terms of its social,
economic and cultural qualities
Communication
Student communicates graphed
data clearly and effectively and
with all required labels and
values.
Student communicates analysis
and connections clearly and with
few mechanical and grammatical
errors.
Application
Student is thorough and accurate
in completing the chart of
researched data and in applying
necessary information of chosen
countries to the world map. Map
includes STABLED criteria and
is in colour.
K/U: ____
I
Rubric: Country Comparison Assignment
RR
R+
Student does not
demonstrate a basic
knowledge and
understanding of
comparison criteria
11
1+
Student demonstrates
only a basic
knowledge and
understanding of
comparison criteria
22
2+
Student
demonstrates some
knowledge and
understanding of
comparison criteria
33
3+
Student demonstrates
an expected level of
knowledge and
understanding of
comparison criteria
Analysis is too
brief, incomplete
and inconclusive,
but an attempt was
made.
Analysis is superficial
and demonstrates
meeting a minimal
skill level.
Analysis is
somewhat clear and
demonstrates
meeting some of the
expected skill level.
Analysis is clear and
conclusive and
demonstrates meeting
the expected skill
level.
Graphed data is
unclear, ineffective
and incomplete but
an effort was made.
Mechanical and
grammatical errors
are found
throughout analysis.
Graphed data is not as
effective as expected
in order to
communicate
information. Many
mechanical and
grammatical errors
are found throughout
analysis.
Data chart is
complete but difficult
to read and as such is
not so effective, map
is also messy and
does not
communicate county
identification well.
Most STABLED
criteria is missing.
Graphed data is
somewhat effective
in communicating
information. Some
mechanical and
grammatical errors
are found in
analysis.
Graphed data is
effective in
communicating
information. Few
mechanical and
grammatical errors
are found in analysis.
Data chart is
complete but not as
accurate as it should
be, map is a bit
messy and does not
communicate
county
identification very
effectively. Most
STABLED criteria
is present.
A: ____
Data chart is
complete and
accurate, map is
complete and
appropriately
communicates county
identification. All
expected STABLED
criteria is present.
Data chart is only
partially complete,
many blanks are
found, map is also
ineffective in
communicating
county
identification. Little
to no STABLED
criteria visible.
T/I: ____
C: ____
Name: ____________________________________
Criteria/Level
Knowledge and Understanding
Student demonstrate ability to
understand what different values
mean when comparing and
interpreting countries as revealed
through analysis of data.
Thinking and Inquiry
Student’s analysis of comparison
data is insightful and thorough.
Connections are made about how
various criteria reveal the state
and nature (or lack thereof) of a
country in terms of its social,
economic and cultural qualities
Communication
Student communicates graphed
data clearly and effectively and
with all required labels and
values.
Student communicates analysis
and connections clearly and with
few mechanical and grammatical
errors.
Application
Student is thorough and accurate
in completing the chart of
researched data and in applying
necessary information of chosen
countries to the world map.
Map includes STABLED criteria
and is in colour.
K/U: ____
T/I: ____
I
Date: ____________________
Rubric: Country Comparison Assignment
11
1+
Student demonstrates
only a basic
knowledge and
understanding of
comparison criteria
22
2+
Student
demonstrates some
knowledge and
understanding of
comparison criteria
33
3+
Student demonstrates
an expected level of
knowledge and
understanding of
comparison criteria
Analysis is too
brief, incomplete
and inconclusive,
but an attempt was
made.
Analysis is superficial
and demonstrates
meeting a minimal
skill level.
Analysis is
somewhat clear and
demonstrates
meeting some of the
expected skill level.
Analysis is clear and
conclusive and
demonstrates meeting
the expected skill
level.
Graphed data is
unclear, ineffective
and incomplete but
an effort was made.
Mechanical and
grammatical errors
are found
throughout analysis.
Graphed data is not as
effective as expected
in order to
communicate
information. Many
mechanical and
grammatical errors
are found throughout
analysis.
Data chart is
complete but difficult
to read and as such is
not so effective, map
is also messy and
does not
communicate county
identification well.
Most STABLED
criteria is missing.
Graphed data is
somewhat effective
in communicating
information. Some
mechanical and
grammatical errors
are found in
analysis.
Graphed data is
effective in
communicating
information. Few
mechanical and
grammatical errors
are found in analysis.
Data chart is
complete but not as
accurate as it should
be, map is a bit
messy and does not
communicate
county
identification very
effectively. Most
STABLED criteria
is present.
A: ____
Data chart is
complete and
accurate, map is
complete and
appropriately
communicates county
identification. All
expected STABLED
criteria is present.
C: ____
Graphed data is very
effective in
communicating
information. Few to
no
mechanical and
grammatical
errors are found in
analysis.
Data chart is
complete and
very accurate, map is
complete and very
effectively
communicates county
identification. All
expected
STABLED criteria is
present.
Date: ____________________
RR
R+
Student does not
demonstrate a basic
knowledge and
understanding of
comparison criteria
Data chart is only
partially complete,
many blanks are
found, map is also
ineffective in
communicating
county
identification. Little
to no STABLED
criteria visible.
44
4+
Student demonstrates
a
superior level of
expected knowledge
and understanding of
comparison criteria
Analysis is clear,
conclusive and very
effective and
demonstrates
surpassing the
expected
skill level.
44
4+
Student demonstrates
a
superior level of
expected knowledge
and understanding of
comparison criteria
Analysis is clear,
conclusive and very
effective and
demonstrates
surpassing the
expected
skill level.
Graphed data is very
effective in
communicating
information. Few to
no
mechanical and
grammatical
errors are found in
analysis.
Data chart is
complete and
very accurate, map is
complete and very
effectively
communicates county
identification. All
expected
STABLED criteria is
present.
Country Comparison Assignment 4C
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,
compared to other nations.
Instructions
1. Chart of Data
Access the CIA World Factbook (on the right hand side menu of website homepage) to fill in the required
information on the chart (handout provided). You must select 6 different
countries which must include the following: Canada (already listed), 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. Each of your selections
must be an independent nation.
2. Complete a map of the world that has each of your selected countries properly labeled, with country
name, capital city, continental region, surrounding countries and bodies of water if applicable, in colour.
3. Graph the results* of your research (5 in total) for the following categories (make sure that all six
countries appear in each of your graphs):
a. Life Expectancy
b. Literacy Rate
c. GDP per Capita
d. Unemployment rate
e. Military expenditures as a % of GDP
*Make sure to identify on your graphs (perhaps in a title) whether each comparison factor for a
to e above is an indication of “social development” or “economic development”
4. Discuss your insights and conclusions (Written Component)
Have an insightful look at all of the information and draw conclusions about Canada in comparison to the rest
of the world. To do this, respond to the following questions in an organized essay format:
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? Discuss any information
that you found exceptionally interesting, for example something you did not know or did not expect to
discover. Fully explain all of your rationale.
2-3 pages (typed, double spaced) is required for this section.
5. Format: All four components (completed chart, labeled map, 5 graphs, 2-3 page analysis in essay format
(with intro paragraph, main body and concluding paragraph) must be handed in together with an
accompanying title. Include a properly formatted bibliography of your sources of information.
Due Date: ______________________________
Countries Comparison Chart
Location
Area
(sq km)
Natural
Resources
Environmental
Issues
Population
Life
Expectancy
Ethnic Groups
Religions
Languages
Literacy Rate
School Life
Expectancy
Government
Type
Canada
North
Latin
Europe
America America
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Location
GDP per
Capita
Unemployment
Rate
Major
Industries
External Debt
Telephone
Mobile Users
Television
Channels
Military Age
and Obligation
Military
Expenditure
(% of GDP)
Transnational
Issues
Canada
North
Latin
Europe
America America
Asia
Africa
Oceania