The CIA World Factbook, a popular Central Intelligence Agency reference manual, provides a wealth of information on over 260 separate nations and other entities, listed alphabetically, in over 700 pages. There are also 11 terrain maps and three world maps included. The CIA World Factbook 2004 is available from the National Technical Information Service.
In addition to the updated information, The CIA World Factbook 2004 features seven new entries. In the Economy category, four entries have been added for Natural Gas -- production, consumption, exports, and imports. In the Communications category, an Internet hosts entry replaces Internet Service Providers. And in the Transportation category under Merchant Marine, subfields have been added for foreign-owned vessels and those registered in other countries. Regional maps have been updated to reflect boundary changes and place name spelling changes.
Each entry includes a map of the nation or entity, full color picture of its flag, and such information (if applicable) as:
Geography: location; coordinates; total area: land and water; boundaries; maritime claims; climate; terrain; elevation extremes; natural resources; land uses; natural hazards; environmental issues and agreements
People: population; age structure; growth rate; birth and death rates; migration rate; sex ratio; mortality rate; life expectancy; fertility rate; AIDS/HIV rates; ethnic groups; religions; languages; literacy
Government: dependency status; government type; capital; administrative division; dependent areas; independence; National holiday; constitution; legal system; suffrage; political parties and leaders; political pressure groups; international organization participation; diplomatic representation with U.S.; flag description
Economy: gross domestic product; poverty level; household income; distribution of family income - Gini index; inflation rate; labor force; unemployment rate; budget; industries; electricity; natural gas; agriculture; exports/imports; debt; economic aid; currency; exchange rates
Communications: Telephones; radios; televisions; Internet hosts, country codes and users
Transportation: railways, highways, waterways, pipelines; ports & harbors; merchant marine; airports/heliports
Military: military branches, manpower, expenditures
The CIA World Factbook 2004 is available from NTIS, call 1-800-553-6847 or (703) 605-6000, for $99 plus $5 handling fee, no additional charge for shipping; quote order number PB2004-928002KTA. Most major credit cards accepted. Fax orders to (703) 605-6900. Order online at: http://www.ntis.gov/products/bestsellers/world-factbook.asp.
Receive the CIA World Factbook automatically each year as soon as it is released; call NTIS Subscriptions at 1-800-363-2068 or (703) 605-6060 for more information.
The National Technical Information Service is the federal government's central source for the sale of scientific, technical, engineering, and related business information produced by or for the U.S. government and complementary material from international sources.
