The CIA World Factbook, an annual publication of the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States, is the perfect reference guide for any quick facts on a country. It provides almanac-type information. It is a collection of maps, flags, and comprehensive geographic information for every country and territory in the world. It also includes oceans and planets.
What's New
Updated country information
Several notable geographic changes have occurred. The US Board on Geographic Names (BGN) now recognizes Timor-Leste as the short form name for East Timor; its description may be found under this new designation. France's overseas possessions were recently reorganized. The five former entities of Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island, previously grouped as Iles Eparses (Scattered Islands), now constitute a district of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands. Additionally, the islands of St. Barthelemy and St. Martin, formerly a part of the French overseas region of Guadeloupe, now make up separate overseas collectivities and have their own Factbook entries.
In the Economy category, three new fields have been added that focus on capital stocks and investment. They are "Stock of direct foreign investment - at home," "Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad," and "Market value of publicly traded shares."
In the Government category, the "Capital" entry has been greatly expanded and now contains up to four subfields, including significant new information having to do with time. The subfields consist of the name of the capital itself, its geographic coordinates, the time difference at the capital from coordinated universal time (UTC), and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
Information on the following categories for over 270 countries is included:
Appendixes
Reference Maps
Notes and Definitions
Guide to Country Profile
Each country includes information on the following subjects:
Country map
Flag
Introduction
Geography
People
Government
Economy
Communications
Transport
Military
Transnational issues