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Databases & Websites by Subject

Accessible from home Accessible from home with a
Downers Grove Public Library card
In-library use only In-library use only

Travel, Moving, Geography, & Weather

Databases

Accessible from home Cities of the United States 
Especially helpful to those considering moving to another area, this source examines statistical data for 199 American cities and rates them by demographic, economic, cultural, geographic, social, and recreational conditions.

Accessible from home Countries of the World and Their Leaders Yearbook 2009    
Timely information about countries, including recent events and current leaders.

Accessible from homeCultureGrams
Provides information on over 180 countries including daily life and culture, history, customs, and lifestyles of the world's people. Recipes, maps, and flags are included.

Accessible from home Hospitality, Tourism, and Leisure Collection
Covers all areas of the hospitality industry, including travel information as well as career and management information.

Accessible from home Lands and Peoples
Research information on different countries, regions, and culture using encyclopedia articles, maps, games and more.

Accessible from home Public Records Electronic Database
Lists of new homeowners, new businesses, foreclosures and sales, and bankruptcies in DuPage, Cook, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will Counties.

Accessible from home Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life
Covers more than 500 cultural groups in Asia and Oceania, Europe, the Americas and Africa.

Websites

Country and State Information

Background Notes
Country information from the U.S. Department of State.

Country Reports
Country information from around the world.

Country Studies
 Country information from the Library of Congress.

Geography IQ
Summaries of each country's culture, economics, politics and history. Includes maps and flags for each nation.

Nationmaster
Country information, comparative ratings, maps and statistics. Make a graph.

Statemaster
State information, comparative ratings, maps and statistics.

World Factbook
Country information from the United States Central Intelligence Agency.

Moving and Relocation

BestPlaces
Use to look for the best places to live.

City Top Lists
Rankings of top U.S. cities in numerous lists.

Click on: Moving and Relocation
Research and compare specific locations to find your ideal place to live. Advice on planning a successful move including scam alerts and how to help family members adjust to a new home.

Realtor.com
Comprehensive site with help on planning a move, community rankings and school report cards. A salary calculator allows you to compare the cost of living between cities.

Retirement Living Information Center
Use to find retirement housing.

Time around the World

Time and Date
Current time anywhere in the world.

Time Zone Converter
Convert time as well as look up local time.

Travel

Bureau of Consular Affairs
State Department info for travelers.

Click On: DuPage Attractions
Find local activities, special events, museums, and more.

Click On: Explore Chicago
One-stop shopping for Windy City events, arts, museums, and more.

Click On: Languages and English as a Second Language
Learn the language basics for your travel or business destination. Also links to sites for those learning English as a second language.

Click On: Road Trip USA
Plan a motor or bike vacation touring the U.S., and find suggestions for an enjoyable trip with kids and pets.

Click On: Theme Vacations
Find links for adventure travel, romantic getaways, theme cruises, and a variety of resorts as well as  learning and volunteer vacations.

Click On: Travel
Research your destination and find the best accommodations and air fares.

Currency Converter
Enter the amount of money in your choice of currency and find out its current value in most countries of the world.

Expedia
Travel information including making reservations.

Fodor's
Links to selected Internet travel sites.

Hotel and Travel Index
Detailed information on more than 79,000 hotels.

Subway Maps
Provides access to subway maps for more than 100 cities worldwide.

TripAdvisor
Useful for planning a trip, this site includes information on places to go, hotels, attractions, and restaurants. It also includes user reviews.

Travelers' Health from CDC
General information, news and alerts on health issues for domestic as well as international travel.

Travelocity
Travel information including making reservations.

Weather

Midwestern Regional Climate Center
Weather statistics for Chicago from 1970 to 2000.

NOAA Weather Archives for the Chicago Area
Weather statistics for Chicago from 1998 to the present.

Weather Information
Information from the Weather Underground. Current weather searchable by city or zip code, as well as statistics back to 1970.

Booklists

Across America
Writers share their experiences traveling the United States by automobile, train, bicycle and more.

Moving Places
A list of library resources for people who are considering moving to another part of the country.

Which Travel Series Is Best?
Each series of travel books has a different focus and special strengths. Find the one that is best for your needs.