Books and ebooks are great sources for general and historical information about countries. They will not contain the most current news, however, about the country.
World Encyclopedia of Political Systems and Parties, 3-Volume Set
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There are three books that are particularly helpful when studying countries:
World Encyclopedia, Dictionary of World History, A Guide to Countries of the World, Oxford Companion to Politics of the World. Remember, these are books and are not updated as regularly as the databases.
Databases are a great source for getting reputable, basic information about countries. Britannica and World Geography and Culture Online have excellent country guides.
Web-based sources can be very helpful for gathering current information about countries. Remember, however, to consider bias and the purpose for the site.