Central Intelligence Agency
Contents
The CIA World Factbook is a reference resource produced annually by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. It provides almanac-style information about the countries of the world, as well as a variety of other international entities.
While the CIA's primary mission is to provide intelligence to U.S. policymakers, the World Factbook is one of its most well-known public products. The style, format, and content of the publication are designed to meet the needs of government officials, but it is also a widely used resource for the general public, students, researchers, and journalists.
Here are the key characteristics of the CIA World Factbook:
| • | Comprehensive Data: The Factbook provides a concise summary of a country's demographics, geography, government, economy, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues. |
| • | Broad Coverage: It includes information on a wide range of international entities, including countries recognized by the U.S., dependencies, and other areas of special sovereignty. |
| • | Public Domain: The World Factbook is a work of the U.S. government and is in the public domain, meaning the information it contains can be freely used and redistributed. |
| • | Accessibility: It is available in various formats, including a website, a downloadable version, and a printed edition from the U.S. Government Publishing Office. The online version is frequently updated to reflect changes in the world. |
| • | Focus on U.S. Interests: The content and analysis within the Factbook are shaped by the CIA's mission. The information provided is designed to inform U.S. government officials about the world in a way that is relevant to national security and policy. |