Requirements for Phase I & II Country Profiles
Peter outlines the parts and format for the country profiles
for students. Each student completes two profiles: a Central American country
during Phase I and a South American country during Phase II.

The parts and the order for the report are listed below:

Country Profile Abstract: Begin with some specific, encyclopedic information in outline format. Include the name of the country, the capital city, the type of government, the official language, and other background information you think necessary. Also include the location of your country, defined by the latitude and longitude coordinates of its westernmost, easternmost, northernmost, and southernmost points.

Paragraphs: Two paragraphs which describe your country. The first should identify the region and place, explaining elements such as location with relation to its neighbors, climate and terrain, major land features, and other natural elements. The second paragraph should focus more on political, historical, and economic details; current or past leaders, major exports/imports, educational opportunities, etc.

Data Tables: This is the place where you can present any numerical data you've collected in an easy to see and read format. Use a word processor and the key, or use a spreadsheet program (such as Excel) to create a table which presents numerical data in a number of formats. If you've found unemployment rate, population, literacy rate, average age, number of miles of highway, number of automobiles, or any other numerical data, here's where you should present it.

In one column, type the labels of your data. In the next, type all percentages (literacy rate, for example). In the next, convert all percentages to raw numbers (by multiplying your population figure by the percentage) Also include in this column any numbers which do not convert themselves to percentages (average age, etc) Place your data tables on the same page as your country profile, if possible.

Maps: On your regional/continental map, include all countries covered in this phase of the project (see list). Also include any major bordering landforms, any major bodies of water. Double-check all spellings, and spell country and ocean names in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS.

On your country map, identify your country's capital city and other major cities. Identify neighboring countries or bodies of water by name. Also identify major landforms (mountains, rivers, lakes, etc. ) Remember all maps should be drawn free hand with attention to neatness, accuracy, and proportion and scale.

Charts: Create a new spreadsheet file where you can enter the data you need to complete the three bar graphs for this phase of the challenge. Reserve the first row for titles, which you'll fill in depending on what you put in the columns. In the first column, type the names of your two countries. In the second, type their populations. In the third, enter the numbers you've collected for a comparable statistic (literacy rate, for example), then in the fourth, enter the numbers for another (miles of railroad, for example). Use the chart wizard and the "Hide Column" function to create three different labeled bar graphs, which you briefly explain.

References: Use the Writers' Guide to help you format your reference page. Keep in mind the page should be:

Titled REFERENCES (all capital letters, centered, no underline or quotation marks.) Alphabetized by the first letter of each entry.
Punctuated correctly (usually period. period. colon: comma, period.)

Double check other formatting issues on page 7 of your Writers' Guide.

Orange Scoring Guide: Make sure you save enough time to seriously score your own work before handing the report in. Check it frequently to make sure you're on the right track. Complete and hand the scoring guide in with the report. Place completed reports, stapled together, in the basket.