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The World Factbook is an annual publication by the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States with basic almanac-style information about the
various countries of the world. The factbook gives a
two- to three-page summary of the demographics, location, telecommunications capacity, government, industry, military capability, etc, of all US-recognized countries and territories in the world.
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:
- Antarctic Information Program (National Science Foundation),
- Bureau of the Census (Department of Commerce),
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (Department of Labor),
- Central Intelligence Agency,
- Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs,
- Defense Intelligence Agency (Department of Defense),
- US Department of State,
- US Fish and Wildlife
Service (Department
of the Interior),
- US Maritime Administration (Department of
Transportation),
- National Imagery and Mapping
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 (Department of the Interior), and
- other public and private sources.
Because this document is public domain, i.e. not under copyright, people are free not only to redistribute it, but also to modify it in any way
they like, without permission of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The official seal of the CIA, however, may NOT be copied
without permission as required by the CIA Act of 1949 (50 U.S.C. section 403m). Misuse of the official seal of the CIA
could result in civil and criminal penalties.
Federal law prohibits use of the words "Central Intelligence Agency," the initials "CIA," the seal of the Central Intelligence
Agency, or any colorable imitation of such words, initials, or seal in connection with any merchandise, impersonation,
solicitation, or commercial activity in a manner reasonably calculated to convey the impression that such use is approved,
endorsed, or authorized by the Central Intelligence Agency. [1]
Many sites have used information in the CIA World Factbook, because of its public domain status, including Wikipedia.
Besides the World Factbook, the CIA puts out a directory of Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members of Foreign Governments
each week.
The Factbook caused some controversy in 1998 when British journalists noticed it contained some glaring errors - most notably that 'the United Kingdom gained its independence in 1801'.
See also: Abbreviations used in CIA World Factbook, Wikipedia:Status of the porting of the CIA World Factbook
External links
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