View source for The World Factbook

{{Infobox book
| name          = The World Factbook
| title_orig    =
| translator    =
| image         = [[Image:Wfbcover.jpg|200px]]
| image_caption = Last Government print edition of ''The World Factbook'' (2010 edition) cover.
| author        = [[Central Intelligence Agency]]
| illustrator   =
| cover_artist  =
| country       =
| language      = English
| Website       = [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/]
| series        =
| subject       =
| genre         = [[almanac]] about the countries of the world
| publisher     = Directorate of Intelligence<ref name="pubs">{{cite web | author =  Central Intelligence Agency | title = Central Intelligence Agency Publications | url = http://web.archive.org/web/20060717051912/www.cia.gov/cia/publications/ | accessdate = 2008-01-02 | quote = The World Factbook is produced by CIA's Directorate of Intelligence. ''The Factbook'' is a comprehensive resource of facts and statistics on more than 250 countries and other entities. }}</ref>
| pub_date      = see [[#Frequency of updates and availability|frequency of updates and availability]], no longer published in paper book form by the CIA
| english_pub_date =
| media_type    =
| pages         =
| isbn          = see the [[#ISBN numbers|list of ISBN numbers]]
| oclc          =
| preceded_by   =
| followed_by   =
}}
'''''The World Factbook''''' ([[International Standard Serial Number|ISSN]] {{ISSN search link|1553-8133}}; also known as the '''''CIA World Factbook''''')<ref name="featured">{{cite web | author = Central Intelligence Agency | title = Where in the World is Mt. Kilimanjaro? Visit the CIA World Factbook to Find Out | date= 2008-01-03 | url = https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/2008-featured-story-archive/world-factbook.html | accessdate = 2008-01-04 }}</ref> is a reference resource produced by the [[Central Intelligence Agency]] of the United States with [[almanac]]-style information about the [[List of countries|countries of the world]]. The official paper copy version is available from the National Technical Information Service and the Government Printing Office. Other companies—such as [[Skyhorse Publishing]]—also print a paper edition. ''The Factbook'' is available in the form of a website, which is partially updated every two weeks. It is also available for download for use off-line.  It provides a two- to three-page summary of the [[demography|demographics]], [[geography]], [[communication]]s, [[government]], [[economy]], and [[military]] of 266 entities<ref name="ents">{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook - Notes and Definitions: Entities | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/docs/notesanddefs.html | accessdate = 2008-02-29 | quote = "Independent state" refers to a people politically organized into a sovereign state with a definite territory. * * * There are a total of 266 separate geographic entities in The World Factbook that may be categorized as follows... }}</ref> including [[diplomatic recognition|U.S.-recognized]] countries, dependencies, and other areas in the world.

''The World Factbook'' is prepared by the CIA for the use of [[Federal government of the United States|U.S. government]] officials, and its style, format, coverage, and content are primarily designed to meet their requirements.<ref name="cci">{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook -  Contributors and Copyright Information | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/docs/contributor_copyright.html | accessdate = 2006-09-23 | quote = The World Factbook is prepared by the Central Intelligence Agency for the use of US Government officials, and the style, format, coverage, and content are designed to meet their specific requirements. Information is provided by ... other public and private sources. ''The Factbook'' is in the public domain. Accordingly, it may be copied freely without permission of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). }}</ref> However, it is frequently used as a resource for academic research papers.<ref name="press">{{cite press release |title=CIA World Factbook 2006 Now Available |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |date= 2006-04-05 |url=https://www.cia.gov/news-information/press-releases-statements/press-release-archive-2006/pr04052006.htm |language= |accessdate=2007-01-11 | quote =The World Factbook remains the CIA's most widely disseminated and most popular product, now averaging almost 6 million visits each month. In addition, tens of thousands of government, commercial, academic, and other Web sites link to or replicate the online version of the Factbook. * * * Included among the 271 geographic entries is one for the "World," which incorporates data and other information summarized where possible from the other 270 country listings. }}</ref> As a [[Work of the United States Government|work of the U.S. government]], it is in the [[public domain]].<ref name="pd">{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Can I use some or all of The World Factbook for my Web site (book, research project, homework, etc.)? | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/docs/faqs.html | accessdate = 2006-09-23 | quote = The World Factbook is in the public domain and may be used freely by anyone at anytime without seeking permission.* * * As a courtesy, please cite The World Factbook when used. }}</ref>

==''Factbook'' sources==
In researching the ''Factbook'', the CIA uses the sources listed below. Other public and private sources are also consulted.<ref name=cci/>

*Antarctic Information Program ([[National Science Foundation]])
*[[Armed Forces Medical Intelligence Center]] ([[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]])
*[[United States Census Bureau|Bureau of the Census]] ([[United States Department of Commerce|Department of Commerce]])
*[[Bureau of Labor Statistics]] ([[United States Department of Labor|Department of Labor]])
*Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs
*[[Defense Intelligence Agency]] (Department of Defense)
*[[United States Department of Energy|Department of Energy]]
*[[United States Department of State|Department of State]]
*[[United States Fish and Wildlife Service|Fish and Wildlife Service]] ([[United States Department of the Interior|Department of the Interior]])
*[[United States Maritime Administration|Maritime Administration]] ([[United States Department of Transportation|Department of Transportation]])
*[[National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency]] (Department of Defense)
*[[Naval Facilities Engineering Command]] (Department of Defense)
*[[Office of Insular Affairs]] (Department of the Interior)
*[[Office of Naval Intelligence]] (Department of Defense)
*[[United States Board on Geographic Names|US Board on Geographic Names]] (Department of the Interior)
*[[United States Transportation Command|US Transportation Command]] (Department of Defense)
*[[Oil & Gas Journal]]

==Copyright==
[[Image:Wfb webby.png|thumb|right|200px|The World Factbook website as it appeared in January 2010]]
Because the ''Factbook'' is in the [[public domain]], people are free to redistribute and modify it in any way that they like, without permission of the CIA.<ref name=cci/> However, the CIA requests that it be [[Citation|cited]] when the ''Factbook'' is used.<ref name=pd/> The official seal of the CIA, however, may not be copied without permission as required by the ''[[Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949]]'' ({{UnitedStatesCode|50|403m}}).

== Frequency of updates and availability  ==
Before November 2001, ''The World Factbook'' website was updated yearly.<ref name="faqs-u2d">{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): How often is The World Factbook updated? | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/docs/faqs.html | accessdate = 2009-01-26 | quote = Formerly our Web site (and the published Factbook) were only updated annually. Beginning in November 2001 we instituted a new system of more frequent online updates. The World Factbook is currently updated every two weeks. }}</ref>  Since then, the ''Factbook'' website is updated every two weeks.<ref name="faqs-u2d"/> Generally, information currently available as of January 1 of the current year<ref>{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook -   Notes and Definitions: Date of information | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/docs/notesanddefs.html | accessdate = 2006-09-23 | quote = In general, information available as of 1 January 2007 was used in the preparation of this edition.  }}</ref> is used in preparing the  ''Factbook''.

===Government edition of the ''Factbook''===
The first classified edition of ''Factbook'' was published in August 1962 and the first unclassified version in June 1971.<ref name="WBFhistory">{{cite web |author = Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook -- History |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/docs/history.html |accessdate = 2007-03-03 | quote= The first classified Factbook was published in August 1962, and the first unclassified version was published in June 1971.  }}</ref> ''The World Factbook'' was first available to the public in print in 1975<ref name="WBFhistory"/>. In 2008, the CIA discontinued printing the ''Factbook'', instead turning printing responsibilities over to the Government Printing Office.<ref name="printgpo">{{cite web | author = Directorate of Intelligence | title = CIA - The World Factbook -- About :: History: 2008  | date= 2009-06-08 | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/docs/history.html | accessdate = 2009-06-08 | quote =  Printing of the Factbook turned over to the Government Printing Office. }}</ref> This happened due to a CIA decision to "focus Factbook resources" on the online edition.<ref name="noprint">{{cite web | author = Directorate of Intelligence | title = CIA - The World Factbook 2009: What's New (mirror)  | date= 2009-05-14 | url = http://hoshie.mozfaq.org/mirror/factbook/ | accessdate = 2009-06-08 | quote =  The CIA no longer prints The World Factbook. The Agency has made a decision to focus Factbook resources exclusively on the World Wide Web online edition, which is updated with new material every two weeks. }}</ref> The ''Factbook'' has been on the [[World Wide Web]] since October 1994.<ref>Miller, Jill Young. "CIA puts data on the internet."  ''Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel'' 12 December 1994.</ref>  The Web version gets an average of 6 million visits per month;<ref name=press/> it can also be downloaded.<ref>{{cite web | author =  Central Intelligence Agency | title = CIA Download Page | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/download/ | accessdate = 2007-06-10 }}</ref> The official printed version is sold<ref name="buy">{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook - Purchasing Information | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/docs/purchase_info.html | accessdate = 2006-09-23 | quote = Other users may obtain sales information about printed copies from the following: Superintendent of Documents...National Technical Information Service }}</ref> by the [[Government Printing Office]] and [[National Technical Information Service]].    In past years, the ''Factbook'' was available on [[CD-ROM]],<ref>{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook 1999 - Purchasing Information (mirror) |date= 1999 | url = http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact99/11.htm | accessdate = 2006-09-24 | quote = The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) prepares The World Factbook in printed, CD-ROM, and Internet versions.  }}</ref> [[microfiche]]<ref name=wfbems>{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = Publication Information for The World Factbook 1995 (mirror) |date= 1995 | url = http://www.ems.psu.edu/~williams/states/pubinfo.htm | accessdate = 2006-09-24 | quote = This publication is also available in microfiche, magnetic tape, or computer diskettes.  }}</ref>, [[magnetic tape]]<ref name=wfbems/>, and [[floppy disk]]<ref name=wfbems/>.

=== Reprints and older editions online ===
[[Image:Skyhorse-WFB-cover.jpg|thumb|right|100px|''The World Factbook'' 2010 (Skyhorse Publishing reprint edition) cover]]
[[Image:Brassys-WFB-cover.jpg|thumb|right|100px|''The World Factbook'' 2010 (Potomac Books reprint edition) cover]]
Many Internet sites use information and images from the CIA ''World Factbook''.<ref>{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): I am using the Factbook online and it is not working. What is wrong? | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/docs/faqs.html | accessdate = 2006-09-24 | quote= Hundreds of “Factbook” look-alikes exist on the Internet. The Factbook site at: www.cia.gov is the only official site.  }}</ref>  Several publishers, including Grand River Books,<ref>{{cite web | author =  Texas A&M University Libraries | title = Introduction to Comparative Politics POLS 329 | url = http://library.tamu.edu/portal/site/Library/menuitem.95e060d328c5ba7869e19cf419008a0c/?vgnextoid=b6e4124698f60110VgnVCM1000007800a8c0RCRD | accessdate = 2008-01-02 | quote = The world factbook (Handbook of the Nations). Detroit, Mich.: Grand River Books, 1981–.  }}</ref> Potomac Books (formerly known as Brassey's Inc.),<ref>{{cite web | author =  Potomac Books | title = The World Factbook 2008 CIA's 2007 Edition | url = http://www.potomacbooksinc.com/Books/BookDetail.aspx?productID=180790 | accessdate = 2008-01-02 }}</ref> and [[Skyhorse Publishing]]<ref>{{cite web | author =  Skyhorse Publishing | title = CIA World Factbook 2008, The | url = http://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/details.php?TitleID=77 | accessdate = 2008-01-22 }}</ref> have re-published the factbook in recent years.

Older editions of the CIA ''World Factbook'', going back to 1989, together with country rankings constructed from CIA data and additional country information from other sources are available at the [http://www.theodora.com/wfb Countries of the World website], which was begun in 1996.

== Entities listed==
{{Main|List of entities and changes in The World Factbook}}

As of February 2008, ''The World Factbook'' consists of '''266''' entities.<ref name="ents"/> These entities can be divided into categories.<ref name="ents"/> They are:

; Independent countries: This category has independent countries, which the CIA defines as people "politically organized into a sovereign state with a definite territory".<ref name="ents"/> In this category, there are '''194''' entities.
; Others: The ''Other'' category is a list of other places set apart from the list of independent countries. Currently there are '''two''': [[Taiwan]] and the [[European Union]].
; Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty: This category is a list of places affiliated with another country. They may be subdivided into categories using the country they are affiliated with:
:*[[Australia]]: six entities
:*[[China]]: two entities
:*[[Denmark]]: two entities
:*[[France]]: nine entities
:*[[Netherlands]]: two entities
:*[[New Zealand]]: three entities
:*[[Norway]]: three entities
:*[[United Kingdom]]: seventeen entities
:*[[United States]]: fourteen entities
; Miscellaneous: This category is for [[Antarctica]] and places in dispute. There are '''six''' entities.
; Other entities: This category is for the [[Earth|World]] and the [[ocean]]s. There are '''five''' oceans and the World (the World entry is intended as a summary of the other 265 entries).<ref name=press/> <!-- The source was published in April 2006, two years before the release of the 2008 World Factbook. In Because of this, the number of entities is decreased by six from the number cited in the source. -->

==Territorial issues and controversies==
===Political===
; Areas not covered
: Specific regions within a country or areas in dispute among countries, such as [[Kashmir]], are not covered,<ref name="notin">{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Why don’t you include information on entities such as [[Tibet]] or Kashmir? | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/docs/faqs.html | accessdate = 2008-08-24 | quote= Also included in the Factbook are entries on parts of the world whose status has not yet been resolved (e.g., West Bank, Spratly Islands). Specific regions within a country or areas in dispute among countries are not covered. }}</ref> but other areas of the world whose status is disputed, such as the [[Spratly Islands]], have entries.<ref name="notin"/><ref>{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook - Spratly Islands |date= 2006-09-19 | url =  https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pg.html | accessdate = 2006-09-24 }}</ref> Subnational areas of countries (such as [[U.S. state|US States]] or the [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Canadian provinces and territories]]) are not included in the ''Factbook''. Instead, users looking for information about subnational areas are referred to "a comprehensive encyclopedia" for their reference needs.<ref name="subnat">{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Why doesn't The World Factbook include information on states, departments, provinces, etc., in the country format? | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/docs/faqs.html | accessdate = 2007-05-26 | quote = The World Factbook provides national-level information on countries, territories, and dependencies, but not subnational administrative units within a country. A comprehensive encyclopedia might be a source for state/province-level information. }}</ref> This criterion was invoked in the 2007 edition with the decision to drop the entries for [[French Guiana]], [[Guadeloupe]], [[Martinique]], and [[Réunion|Reunion]]. They were dropped because besides being [[overseas department]]s, they were now [[overseas region]]s, and an integral part of France.<ref name="domrom">{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Why has The World Factbook dropped the four French departments of Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion, and French Guiana?  | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/docs/faqs.html | accessdate = 2007-05-26 | quote = The reason the four entities are no longer in The World Factbook is because their status has changed. While they are overseas departments of France, they are also now recognized as French regions, having equal status to the 22 metropolitan regions that make up European France. }}</ref>

; Kashmir
: Maps depicting Kashmir have the India–[[Pakistan]] border drawn at the [[Line of Control]], but the region of [[Aksai Chin|Kashmir administered by China]] drawn in hash marks.<ref name="chmap">{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook - China (map) |date= 2006-09-19 | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/maps/large/ch-map.gif | accessdate = 2009-12-27 }}</ref>

; Northern Cyprus
: [[Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus|Northern Cyprus]], which the U.S. considers part of the [[Republic of Cyprus]], is not given a separate entry because "territorial occupations/annexations not recognized by the United States Government are not shown on U.S. Government maps."<ref>{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Why are the Golan Heights not shown as part of Israel or Northern Cyprus with Turkey? | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/docs/faqs.html | accessdate = 2006-09-23 | quote = Territorial occupations/annexations not recognized by the United States Government are not shown on US Government maps. }}</ref>

; Taiwan/Republic of China
: [[Taiwan]] has a separate entry not listed under T, but at the bottom of the list.<ref>{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook -  Country Listing | url =  https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/countrylisting.html#z | accessdate = 2006-09-23 }}</ref> The name "''[[Republic of China]]''" is not listed as Taiwan's "official name" under the "Government" section,<ref name = "jjwyiz">{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook - Taiwan |date= 2006-09-19 | url =  https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/tw.html | accessdate = 2006-09-23 }}</ref>  due to U.S. acknowledgement of Beijing's and Taipei's [[One-China policy]] according to which there is one China and Taiwan is a part of it.<ref name="roceu">{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Why are Taiwan and the European Union listed out of alphabetical order at the end of the Factbook entries? | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/docs/faqs.html | accessdate = 2006-09-23 | quote = Taiwan is listed after the regular entries because even though the mainland People's Republic of China claims Taiwan, elected Taiwanese authorities de facto administer the island and reject mainland sovereignty claims. * * * The European Union (EU) is not a country, but it has taken on many nation-like attributes and these are likely to be expanded in the future. }}</ref> The name "Republic of China" was briefly added on January 27, 2005,<ref>{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook - Taiwan (mirror) |date= 2005-01-27 | url =  http://hoshie.mozfaq.org/factbook-roc/geos/tw.html#Govt | accessdate = 2006-09-23 }}</ref> but has since been changed back to "none".<ref name = "jjwyiz"/> The map of the [[Peoples Republic of China|People's Republic of China]] on the World Factbook shows Taiwan included on the map of China.<ref name="chmap"/>(See also: [[Political status of Taiwan]], [[Legal status of Taiwan]])

; Burma/Myanmar
: The U.S. does not recognize the renaming of [[Myanmar|Burma]] by its ruling military junta to ''Myanmar'' and thus keeps its entry for the country under "Burma". This is done because the name change "was not approved by any sitting legislature in Burma". As a result, the US government has never adopted the name Myanmar.<ref>{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook - Burma |date= 2006-09-19 | url =  https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bm.html | accessdate = 2006-09-23 | quote = since 1989 the military authorities in Burma have promoted the name Myanmar as a conventional name for their state; this decision was not approved by any sitting legislature in Burma, and the US Government did not adopt the name, which is a derivative of the Burmese short-form name Myanma Naingngandaw }}</ref>

; Macedonia
: The [[Republic of Macedonia]] is entered as ''Macedonia'',<ref>{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook - Macedonia |date= 2006-09-19 | url =  https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mk.html | accessdate = 2006-09-23 }}</ref> the name used in its first entry in the ''Factbook'' upon independence in 1992.<ref name="yugo">{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence |year= 1992 | title = The World Factbook 1992 - Notes, Definitions, and Abbreviations  | url =  http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact92/wf930000.txt | accessdate = 2006-09-23 | quote = Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and Slovenia have replaced Yugoslavia.   }}</ref> In the 1994 edition, the name of the entry was changed to the ''Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia'' as a result of the [[Macedonia naming dispute]] with [[Greece]], which objected to the use of the name "Macedonia".<ref>{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence |year= 1994  | title = The World Factbook 1994 - Notes, Definitions, and Abbreviations  | url =  http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact94/wf950000.txt | accessdate = 2006-09-23 | quote = The name of Macedonia was changed to The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). }}</ref> For the next decade, this was the name the nation was listed under. Finally, in the 2004 edition of the ''Factbook'', the name of the entry was changed back to ''Macedonia'' following a November 2004 US decision to refer to the country using this name.<ref>{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook - Macedonia (mirror)|date= 2004-11-30 | url =  http://theworldfactbook.info/geos/mk.html | accessdate = September 23, 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news
 |first =
 |last =
 |author = Staff reporter
 |coauthors =
 |title = US snubs Greece over Macedonia
 |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3981499.stm
 |format =
 |work =
 |publisher = BBC News
 |pages =
 |page =
 |date = 2004-11-04
 |accessdate = 2006-09-23
 |language =
 |quote = Greece has protested strongly at a decision by the US to refer to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) simply as "Macedonia".
}}</ref>

; European Union
: On December 16, 2004, the CIA added an entry for the [[European Union]] (EU).<ref>{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook - European Union |date= 2006-09-19 | url =  https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ee.html | accessdate = 2006-09-23 }}</ref> (Before this date, the EU was excluded from the ''Factbook''.<ref name="noEU">{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook - Why doesn't The World Factbook include information on states, departments, provinces, the European Union, etc., in the country format? (mirror) | url = http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact2003/docs/faqs.html | accessdate = 2007-06-02 | quote = The World Factbook provides national-level information on countries, territories, and dependencies, but not on subnational administrative units within a country or supranational entities like the European Union. }}</ref>) According to the CIA, the European Union was added because the EU "continues to accrue more nation-like characteristics for itself".<ref name="roceu"/>

; United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges and Iles Eparses
: In the 2006 edition of ''The World Factbook'', the entries for [[Baker Island]], [[Howland Island]], [[Jarvis Island]], [[Kingman Reef]], [[Johnston Atoll]], [[Palmyra Atoll]] and the [[Midway Atoll|Midway Islands]] were merged into a new [[United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges]] entry.<ref>{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook - United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges |date= 2006-09-19 | url =  https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/um.html | accessdate = 2006-09-23 }}</ref> The old entries for each individual insular area remain as redirects on the ''Factbook'' website.<ref>For an example of a redirect, see what happens with the [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kq.html profile] for Kingman Reef.</ref> On September 7, 2006, the CIA also merged the entries for [[Bassas da India]], [[Europa Island]], the [[Glorioso Islands]], [[Juan de Nova Island]], and [[Tromelin Island]] into a new  [[Iles Eparses]] entry.<ref>{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook - Iles Eparses (mirror) |date= 2006-09-19 | url =  http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact2007/geos/zz.html | accessdate = 2007-11-10 }}</ref> As with the new United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges entry, the old entries for these five islands remained as redirects on the website.<ref>For an example of a redirect, see what happens with the [http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact2007/geos/ju.html profile] for Juan de Nova Island (mirror).</ref> On July 19, 2007, the Iles Eparses entry and redirects for each island were dropped due to the group becoming a district of the [[French Southern and Antarctic Lands]] in February.<ref name="taaf">{{cite web | author = Directorate of Intelligence | title = CIA - The World Factbook 2007:   What's New  | date= 2007-07-19 | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html | accessdate = 2007-07-20 | quote =  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. }}</ref>

; Serbia and Montenegro/Yugoslavia
: The [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]] (SFRY) broke apart in 1991. The following year, it was replaced in the ''Factbook'' with entries for each of its former constituent republics.<ref name=yugo/> In doing this, the CIA listed the [[Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]] (FRY), proclaimed in 1992, as ''Serbia and Montenegro'', as the U.S. did not recognize the union between the two republics.<ref name="FRY2">{{cite web | author = Department of State | title =Serbia and Montenegro (08/99) (See Yugoslavia)| date = August 1999  | url = http://www.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/s/12685.htm | accessdate = 2007-02-03 | quote= (Serbia and Montenegro have asserted the formation of a joint independent state, but this entity has not been recognized as a state by the United States.)  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = 1992 CIA World Factbook: Serbia and Montenegro (mirror) |date= 1992 | url = http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact92/wf930216.txt | accessdate = 2006-10-29 }}</ref> This was done in accordance with a May 21, 1992, decision<ref name="FRY">{{cite web | author = Department of State | title = Chiefs of Mission by Country, 1778-2005: Serbia and Montenegro | url = http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ho/po/com/11216.htm | accessdate = 2006-10-30 | quote = On May 21, 1992, the United States announced that it did not recognize the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, which was composed of the Republics of Serbia and Montenegro, as a successor state of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.}}</ref> by the U.S. not to recognize any of the former Yugoslav republics<ref name="law">{{cite web | author = White, Mary Jo | title = 767 Third Avenue Associates v. United States: Brief for Amicus Cureae United States of America Supporting Appellees and Supporting Affirmance in Part and Reversal in Part | date = 2000 | url = http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/6649.doc |format = MS Word | accessdate = 2007-02-03 | quote = Since 1992, the United States has taken the position that the SFRY has ceased to exist, that there is no state representing the continuation of the SFRY, and that five successors have arisen -- the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) (“FRY(S&M)”), the Republic of Slovenia ("Slovenia"), the Republic of Croatia ("Croatia"), the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina ("Bosnia-Herzegovina"), and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia ("FYROM") }}</ref> as [[successor state]]s to the recently dissolved SFRY.
[[Image:FRYugoMap2k.jpg|thumb|190px|right|A map of [[Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|Serbia and Montenegro]] from the 2000 edition of ''The World Factbook''.<ref>{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = CIA World Factbook 2000 - Country Maps (mirror) |date= 2000 | url = http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/cia00/serbia_montenegro_sm00.jpg | accessdate = 2007-02-06 }}</ref> Notice how the disclaimer is printed in the upper right hand corner. One can see how the capital cities of both republics are individually labeled on the map.]]
:These views were made clear in a disclaimer printed in the ''Factbook'': ''Serbia and Montenegro have asserted the formation of a joint independent state, but this entity has not been recognized as a state by the United States.''<ref>{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = CIA -- The World Factbook 1999 -- Serbia and Montenegro (mirror) |date= 1999 | url = http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact99/265.htm#intro | accessdate = 2006-10-30 | quote = Serbia and Montenegro have asserted the formation of a joint independent state, but this entity has not been formally recognized as a state by the US. The US view is that the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) has dissolved and that none of the successor republics represents its continuation. }}</ref> Montenegro and Serbia were treated separately in the ''Factbook'' data, as can be seen on the map.<ref>For an example, see the profile for the FRY in the [http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact99/265.htm 1999 World Factbook].</ref> In October 2000, [[Slobodan Milošević]] was [[5th October (Serbia)|forced out of office]] after a disputed election.<ref>{{cite news
 |first =
 |last =
 |author = Staff reporter
 |coauthors =
 |title = Kostunica sworn in as president of Yugoslavia
 |url = http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2000/yugoslavia/story/overview/
 |format =
 |work =
 |publisher = CNN
 |pages =
 |page =
 |date = 2000-10-07
 |accessdate = 2006-10-30
 |language =
}}</ref> This event led to democratic elections and U.S. diplomatic recognition. The 2001 edition of the ''Factbook'' thus referred to the state as Yugoslavia.<ref>{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = CIA -- The World Factbook -- Notes and Definitions |date= 2001 | url = http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact2001/docs/notes.html | accessdate = 2006-10-30 | quote = The entity of Serbia and Montenegro is now officially known as Yugoslavia.  }}</ref> On March 14, 2002, an agreement was signed to transform the FRY into a loose state union called [[Serbia and Montenegro]];<ref>{{cite news
 |first =
 |last =
 |author = Staff reporter
 |coauthors =
 |title = Yugoslav partners sign historic deal
 |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1872070.stm
 |format =
 |work =
 |publisher = BBC News
 |pages =
 |page =
 |date = 2002-03-14
 |accessdate = 2006-10-30
 |language =
 |quote = Serbia and Montenegro have signed an accord which will consign the name Yugoslavia to history and shelve any immediate plans for Montenegrin independence.
}}</ref> it took effect on February 4, 2003.<ref>{{cite news
 |first =
 |last =
 |author = Staff reporter
 |coauthors =
 |title = Yugoslavia consigned to history
 |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2724047.stm
 |format =
 |work =
 |publisher = BBC News
 |pages =
 |page =
 |date = 2003-02-04
 |accessdate = 2006-11-17
 |language =
 |quote = From now on it will be called just Serbia and Montenegro - the two remaining republics joined in a loose union.
}}</ref> The name of the Yugoslavia entity was altered in the ''Factbook'' the month after the change.<ref>{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = CIA - The World Factbook 2002: What's new (mirror) |date= 2003-03-19 | url = http://www.faqs.org/docs/factbook/ | accessdate = 2006-10-29 | quote = Yugoslavia has been renamed Serbia and Montenegro as of 4 February 2003. }}</ref>

; Kosovo
:On February 28, 2008, the CIA added an entry for [[Kosovo]];<ref>{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook - Kosovo |date= 2008-02-28 | url =  https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kv.html | accessdate = 2008-02-29 }}</ref> before this, Kosovo was excluded in the Factbook.<ref name="notin"/> The Kosovo declaration of independence is [[International reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence|supported]] by the majority of EU member states, but disputed by [[Serbia]],<ref name="ctvnorec">{{cite news|title=Kosovo's parliament declares independence|publisher=CTV.ca|url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080217/kosovo_indep_080217?s_name=&no_ads=|date=2008-02-17|accessdate=2008-08-24|quote=Serbia opposes the declaration of independence* * *}}</ref> which continues to regard Kosovo as its own territory, and most other countries.

; East Timor/Timor-Leste
:On July 19, 2007, the entry for East Timor was renamed ''[[Timor-Leste]]'' following a decision of the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN).<ref name="bgn">{{cite web | author = Directorate of Intelligence | title = CIA - The World Factbook 2007: What's New  | date= 2007-07-19 | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html | accessdate = 2007-07-20 | quote = The US Board on Geographic Names (BGN) now recognizes Timor-Leste as the short form name for East Timor* * * }}</ref>

===Factual===
Before 1998, the United Kingdom profile contained a sentence that asserted the UK had gained independence on 1 January 1801.<ref>{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook - United Kingdom (mirror) |year= 1996 | url =  http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact96/258.htm | accessdate = September 23, 2006  }}</ref> This terse, confusing description in reference to the [[Act of Union 1801]] which expanded the United Kingdom of Great Britain to include Ireland, has since been greatly expanded,<ref name="uk">{{cite web | author =  Directorate of Intelligence | title = The World Factbook - United Kingdom |date= 2006-09-19 | url =  https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/uk.html | accessdate = 2006-09-23 }}</ref> although the primary date of UK Independence is now given as 1927. This is entirely misleading, and refers to the date the entity adopted its current name under the [[Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act]], of that year. Indeed it can be argued the country has never been independent since there is an arguable legitimate succession of states, systems and entities from the [[Norman Conquest]], 1066.  It can also be argued that the United Kingdom has been independent since 410 AD, the year that the Romans left [[Roman Britain]].

== ISBN numbers ==
This is a list of International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs) for the Government edition<ref>The ISBN for each edition can be found on the [http://bookstore.gpo.gov/ Government Printing Office Bookstore] website.</ref> of ''The World Factbook''. ISBNs for the Potomac Books and Skyhorse Publishing reprints of the ''Factbook'' are noted as well. For the reprint editions, the year of the data is in parentheses.

; Government editions:
*2000: ISBN 0-16-061343-4
*2001: ISBN 0-16-066404-7
*2002: ISBN 0-16-067601-0
*2003: ISBN 0-16-067943-5
*2004: ISBN 0-16-073030-9
*2005: ISBN 0-16-074941-7
*2006: ISBN 0-16-076547-1
*2007: ISBN 9780160785801
*2008: ISBN 9780160829697

; Potomac Books reprints:
*2000 (1999): ISBN 157488266X
*2001 (2000): ISBN 1574883461
*2002 (2001): ISBN 1574884751
*2003 (2002): ISBN 157488641X
*2004 (2003): ISBN 1574888374
*2005 (2004): ISBN 1574889427
*2006 (2005): ISBN 1574889974
*2007 (2006): ISBN 159797109X
*2008 (2007): ISBN 1597971820
*2009 (2008): ISBN 1597974145
*2010 (2009): ISBN 9781597975414

; Skyhorse Publishing reprints:
*2008 (2007): ISBN 978-1-60239-080-5
*2009 (2008): ISBN 978-1602392823
*2010 (2009): ISBN 9781602397279

== See also ==
{{Wikisource|CIA World Fact Book, 2004}}
* Besides the ''World Factbook'', the CIA also publishes a directory called ''[[World Leaders]]'' regularly.<ref>{{cite web | author =  Central Intelligence Agency | title = World Leaders  | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/world-leaders-1/index.html | accessdate = 2007-10-25 }}</ref>

== References ==
{{Primary sources|date=August 2010}}
{{CIA World Factbook}}
{{Reflist|2}}

==Alternative publications==
*[[The World Almanac and Book of Facts]]
*[[TIME Almanac with Information Please]]
*[[Whitaker's Almanack]]
*[[The New York Times Almanac]]
*[[Der Fischer Weltalmanach]]

==External links==
* [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html Current CIA World Factbook]
* [http://ciaintel.us/mobile/worldfactbook Mobile Edition of the CIA World Factbook], last updated 10 June 2008
* [http://relief.unboundmedicine.com CIA World Factbook for Smartphones] - iPhone, BlackBerry, Android
* [http://www.urbian.biz/apps/worldstats/index.html World Factbook for Android] - optimized CIA World Factbook version for Android Devices
* [http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/lps35389/1991/world91b.txt 1991 CIA World Factbook]
* [http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/lps35389/1990/world12.txt 1990 CIA World Factbook]
*Previous editions of ''The World Factbook'' from the [[University of Missouri–St. Louis]] archive:
:[http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact92/index.html 1992], [http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact93/index.html 1993], [http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact94/index.html 1994], [http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact95/index.html 1995], [http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact96/index.html 1996], [http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact97/index.html 1997], [http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact98/index.html 1998], [http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact99/index.html 1999], [http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact2000/index.html 2000], [http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact2001/index.html 2001], [http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact2002/index.html 2002], [http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact2003/index.html 2003], [http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact2004/index.html 2004], [http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact2005/index.html 2005], [http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact2006/index.html 2006], [http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact2007/index.html 2007], [http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact2008/index.html 2008]
* [http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=EarthNature&Number=164827 The World Factbook for Google Earth]: The ''Factbook'' as Google Earth placemarks
* [http://stephansmap.org/cia_world_factbook On stephansmap.org]: The CIA World Factbook accessible by location and date range; covers the years 2001—2007. All Factbook entries are tagged with "cia". Requires graphical browser with javascript.

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