Q1. What browsers are not compatible with CountryWatch?
A1. We support Internet Explorer 5.0 and above, Netscape Navigator 7.0 and above, Firefox, Opera, and Mozilla on PC platforms. On Macintosh computers we support Safari, Netscape 7 and above, Firefox, Camino, and Internet Explorer 5.2 and above.
Q2. Is the CountryWatch site ADA compliant?
A2. Yes, we used
Hermish to test our site for ADA compliancy.
View our Section 508 Compliance Statement.
Q3. If I setup links to CountryWatch content will those URL's remain persistent.
A3. While we cannot gurantee that we will never change the location and/or name of content pages for technical reasons or for consolidation, all links with the exception of the following are persistent: CountryWire articles, Search Engine results.
Q4. How do I subscribe?
A4. Contact us at 1-800-879-3885 (US and Canada) or 1-713-355-6500 and ask to be connected to the sales department or you can email us via the
contact us page, select "Sales".
Q5. Why should I pay for a subscription to CountryWatch when I get information free from other sources?
A5. CountryWatch provides reliable, up-to-date news and information on 193 countries of the world. The Country Reviews are consistently formatted which makes it easy to navigate and also to cross reference and do comparative analysis between more than one country. Additionally, CountryWatch provides over 75-pages worth of information on each country.
Q6. What is included with the different levels of service, Standard, Premium, Elite and Suite?
A6. CountryWatch Standard Access (for individual users only) includes Country Reviews for all 193 countries and the Country Wire. CountryWatch Premium Access provides everything Standard provides and adds CountryWatch Data and CountryWatch Map Gallery. One step above the CountryWatch Premium Access is the CountryWatch Elite Access which contains everything in Standard and Premium, plus you get access to CountryWatch Macro-Economic Forecast. CountryWatch Suite also provides access to our all new CountryWatch Energy Forecast along with access to everything in the other subscription packages.
Q7. Are usage statistics available for our organization?
A7. Usage statistics are available to our current customers via Netracker Software however a statistic profile will have to be built for your account. Please contact your Sales Representative or Customer Support to set up your account. 1-800-879-3885 (US and Canada) or 1-713-355-6500 or you can email us via the
contact us page, select "Customer Service". Be sure to include your Access Code. This process usually takes 3-5 business days to complete.
Q8. Where does CountryWatch get their information?
A8. CountryWatch uses a number of government, academic, media and independent sources to compose its reviews. For specific source materials call us at 1-800-879-3885 (US and Canada) or 1-713-355-6500 and ask to be connected with the editorial department or use the
contact us page, click the "Content" option.
Q9. How do I notify CountryWatch if I see an error or if I disagree with the content?
A9. Use the "Content" option on the
contact us page or call 1-800-879-3885 (US and Canada) or 1-713-355-6500 and ask to be connected with the editorial department.
Q10. Why do you only cover recognized countries?
A10. At CountryWatch, the criterion for coverage of a geopolitical area “as a country” is dependent upon whether or not it has been recognized by the United States’ Department of State. Consequently, CountryWatch covers 193 independent and sovereign states in the world, including the world’s newest country, East Timor.
Inclusion in the United Nations does not necessarily mean that one is an independent and sovereign state. For several years, Switzerland upheld its tenet of neutrality by holding only “observer” status at the United Nations (this has since changed). Meanwhile, there are several bodies represented at the United Nations, such as groupings for indigenous movements, which do not translate into independent sovereign status.
CountryWatch has been attentive to independence movements across the world. As such, when independence from Indonesia was declared, and when sovereign status as well as international recognition was achieved, CountryWatch was pleased to add East Timor to its list of countries covered, on the very day of official independence.
Other territories, such as Taiwan, have met many requirements of independent nation state status, but continue to be regarded as dependencies of sorts. In fact, until 1971, Taiwan was a member of the United Nations, but since then has been replaced by China. This occurred as a result of China's controversial "One China" policy which asserts sovereignty over Taiwan.
At CountryWatch, certain territories are covered in special sections or appendices within an existing Country Review. Puerto Rico, for example is treated within the United States Country Review. Meanwhile, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao are each treated in a similar manner within the China Country Review. West Bank and Gaza are treated within the Country Review for Israel and Somaliland is covered within the Country Review for Somalia.
CountryWatch recognizes the imprecise and politicized nature of such cases, and as has been illustrated in the case of East Timor, the editor is vigilant about staying abreast of political developments, should sovereign status become a reality at some point in the future.
CountryWatch acknowledges and understands that the United States Department of State’s recognition of a country is reflective of the particular political agenda of the United States and its allies. Use of the Department of State listing is not intended to be an explicit endorsement of any country’s political priorities and CountryWatch encourages users to consider the complex range of parameters included in designating any place or area to be a sovereign country.
Dr. Denise Youngblood Coleman
Editor-in-Chief
February, 2005
Q11. How often is the information updated?
A11. Each Country Review is updated once per year or as major events occur. The Country Wire is updated throughout the day as news stories become available.
Q12. How do I cite CountryWatch as an online resource?
A12. Commentary
For items in a "Works Cited" list, CountryWatch suggests that users follow recommended patterns for indentation given in the MLA Handbook, 4th edition.
Individual Works
Basic form, using an Internet protocol:
Author/editor. Title of Print Version of Work. Edition statement (if given). Publication information (Place of publication: publisher, date), if given. Title of Electronic Work. Medium. Available Protocol (if applicable):Site/Path/File. Access date.
Examples:
Youngblood-Coleman, Denise, editor. Country Review: France. 2003. Houston, Texas: CountryWatch Publications, 2003. Country Review:France. Online. Available URL:
http://www.countrywatch.com/cw_country.asp?vCOUNTRY=61 October, 12, 2003.
Note:
This is the citation format used when the print version is not used in the reference.
Q13. How accurate and reliable is CountryWatch content?
A.13. There is always a possibility that inconsistencies, typos or outright errors may occur in our content. That said, given the vast quantity of data, information and analysis that CountryWatch produces, the degree to which such problems have occurred has been extremely rare in the past. In cases of errata, CountryWatch is committed to quickly correcting problems and working with clients to ensure that they are not adversely affected.
Q14. What is the methodology for creating CountryWatch content?
A.14. The methodology used to create the Country Reviews draws upon a mixture of academic research and journalistic practice. The methodology used to create our Economic data and Forecast products and models are based on our own proprietary projection system. For methodological information or documentation, call us at 1-800-879-3885 (US and Canada) or 1-713-355-6500 and ask to be connected with the editorial department or use the contact us page, click the "Content" option.
Q15. Who creates CountryWatch content?
A.15. CountryWatch content is created, produced and published by a small cadre of experts with scholarly backgrounds in relevant disciplines and extensive international experience. For more information, call us at 1-800-879-3885 (US and Canada) or 1-713-355-6500 and ask to be connected with the editorial department or use the contact us page, click the "Content" option.
Q16. How do I republish or use CountryWatch content?
A.16. All CountryWatch content is protected by prevailing copyright. No portion of CountryWatch content can ever be reproduced or republished without expressed written consent from CountryWatch’s Editor in Chief. Any unauthorized usage of CountryWatch content is a violation of this copyright. To contact the Editor in Chief to request permission to use a portion of CountryWatch content, call us at 1-800-879-3885 (US and Canada) or 1-713-355-6500 and ask to be connected with the editorial department or use the contact us page, click the "Content" option.
CountryWatch, Inc.