In addition to Googling and using the Wikipedia (which are great for getting background info on something new to you, but which should not be cited in a scholarly paper), try these library sources to find background information:
Books covering histories across the humanities and social sciences, with a concentration on political and cultural history, literature, philosophy, religious studies, music, and the arts.
Economic, political, historical, and geographic profiles of territories, countries, and global regions.Includes contact information for political, business, media, and cultural agencies and officials. Coverage: 2006-present.
Digitized books that provide descriptions and analysis of the historical setting and the social, economic, and political systems and institutions of 80+ countries. Originally sponsored by the U.S. Army and written by researchers affiliated with the LoC’s Federal Research Division. Coverage: 1986-2015.
Information on the history, people, government, economy, geography, communications, transportation, military and transnational issues for most countries.
