Physical and Environmental Profiles of Four Countries

Introduction

The following matrix compares physical and environmental variables — including climate, topography, and infrastructure — for four countries: Israel, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Canada. Each profile also evaluates the potential for joint ventures with the United States.

Israel

Israel's climate is quite diverse: some regions are mild while others are dry, and coastal areas are considerably more humid than inland zones. Winters are rainy, lasting from November to May, while summers are long and dry. The north is consistently rainier than the arid south, and coastal areas are much milder than elevated regions (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2010).

Israel is a small country, covering only 8,630 square miles according to its Foreign Ministry. Despite its compact size, its geography is extremely diverse, encompassing deserts and highly fertile farmland, mountains and flatlands (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2010). Among the most significant factors shaping Israel's practical geography are the long-standing hostility of several neighboring states and the continuing political instability caused by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict within its borders.

Israel is notable for its production of olive oil and its growing wine industry. Tourism is also a major component of its economy, as many individuals wish to visit the Holy Land. Tourist exchanges involving travel companies and universities in the United States are frequent.

Because Israel's citizens include Jewish people who have lived in many parts of the world, its population is highly diverse. Many individuals are well-educated and familiar with Western culture. Intellectual and cultural exchanges in academia and medicine have been frequent. However, the principal downside to any joint venture is the ongoing threat of terrorism within the country.

United Kingdom

Temperatures in the United Kingdom are moderate. According to the CIA World Factbook, more than half of all days are overcast. Rainfall is frequent, contributing to a very green landscape. Winters and summers are generally mild in the midlands but harsher in the hillier northern regions.

The United Kingdom spans a total area of 243,610 square kilometers (CIA Factbook, 2010). It is a small island nation that experiences frequent climate variability. Its agricultural and sea-based industries have been facilitated by consistent rainfall and proximity to the ocean.

The United Kingdom is one of the world's leading financial centers. Exchanges of intellectual resources and culture have long dominated US-UK interactions and will likely continue into the future. The UK also has a robust agricultural industry and is well known for products such as Cadbury chocolates, beef, and wool-based textiles. Its social support network is more extensive than that of the United States — all citizens receive state-provided health insurance. Bureaucratic restrictions that once complicated joint ventures have been significantly reduced in recent decades.

Conclusion

Each of the four countries examined offers distinct geographic and economic characteristics that shape the potential for joint ventures with the United States. Israel and the United Kingdom present strong cultural and intellectual ties, while Brazil and Canada offer significant natural resource and agricultural opportunities, each carrying its own set of risks and advantages.