Organizing your thoughts:

https://bubbl.us/

Getting started:

CIA - The World Factbook

Gale Virtual Reference Library (especially Countries & Their Cultures)

Digging Deeper:

Books

http://www.delhi.edu/library/ --> "Find Books"

Resnick Library Catalog

WorldCat (sign up for an inter-library loan account here: ILLiad)

Google Books

Articles

http://www.delhi.edu/library/ --> "Find Articles" --> "By Subject" --> "History & Multicultural Topics"

Academic Search Complete (for more current research and news)

JSTOR (narrow by discipline to focus your results)

Google Scholar

Websites

UNdata (notice the "Country Data Services" on the right)

US Department of State - Countries (notice the "Major Reports" for countries)