The World Factbook is prepared by the CIA for the use ofU.S. government officials, and its style, format, coverage, and content are primarily designed to meet their requirements.[3] It is also frequently used as a resource for academic research papers and news articles.[4] As awork of the U.S. government, it is in thepublic domain in the United States.[5]
The World Factbook website as it appeared in January 2025
TheFactbook is in thepublic domain and may be redistributed in part or in whole without need for permission,[6] although the CIA requests that theFactbook becited if used.[5] Copying the official seal of the CIA without permission is prohibited by the US federalCentral Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 (50 U.S.C.§ 403m).
Before November 2001,The World Factbook website was updated yearly;[7] from 2004 to 2010 it was updated every two weeks;[7] since 2010 it has been updated weekly.[8] Generally, information currently available as of January 1 of the current year[9] is used in preparing theFactbook.
The firstclassified edition ofFactbook was published in August 1962, and the first unclassified version in June 1971.[10]The World Factbook was first available to the public in print in 1975.[10] Until 2008 the CIA printed theFactbook; from then it has been printed by the Government Printing Office[11] following a CIA decision to "focus Factbook resources" on the online edition.[12] In 2017, the printed book was officially discontinued.[13] TheFactbook has been available via theWorld Wide Web (The internet) since October 1994,[14] receiving about six million visits per month in 2006;[4] it can also be downloaded.[15] The official printed version is sold[16] by theGovernment Printing Office andNational Technical Information Service. In past years, theFactbook was available onCD-ROM,[17]microfiche,[18]magnetic tape,[18] andfloppy disk.[18]
Many Internet sites use information and images from the CIAWorld Factbook.[19] Several publishers, including Grand River Books,[20] Potomac Books (formerly known as Brassey's Inc.),[21] andSkyhorse Publishing[22] have published theFactbook in recent years. Older editions since 2000 may be downloaded (but not browsed) from theFactbook Web site.[5]
Map of the world published by theCIA World Factbook in 2016
As of July 2011[update],The World Factbook comprises 266 entities,[2] which can be divided into the following categories:[23]
Independent countries
The CIA defines these as people "politically organized into a sovereign state with a definite territory."[23] In this category, there are 195 entities.
Others
Places set apart from the list of independent countries. Currently there are two:Taiwan and theEuropean Union.
Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty
Places affiliated with another country. They may be subcategorized by affiliated country:
This sectionpossibly containsoriginal research. Most references point to specific sections in the fact book, rather than sources critical of it; i.e. the criticisms are from the editor. Pleaseimprove it byverifying the claims made and addinginline citations. Statements consisting only of original research should be removed.(February 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
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Some entries on the World Factbook are known to be in line with the political views and agenda of theUnited States. The United States is said to have been behind both the excision of theChagos Archipelago from Mauritian territory and theforcible expulsion of theChagossians from their lands to establish amilitary base on one of the island of the archipelago, namelyDiego Garcia.[31] The USdoes not recognise the sovereignty ofMauritius over the Chagos Archipelago and the archipelago is listed as theBritish Indian Ocean Territory on the CIA Website.[32] The website further erroneously mentioned that the Chagos Archipelago is also claimed by theSeychelles,[32] while officially 116 countries including the Seychelles against only 6 countries including the United States voted in favor of aUnited Nations General Assembly resolution dated 24 May 2019 which called upon theUK to withdraw its colonial administration from the Chagos Archipelago unconditionally to enable Mauritius to complete the decolonization of its territory as rapidly as possible.[33][34]
Northern Cyprus, which the U.S. considers part of theRepublic 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."[36]
The name "Republic of China" is not listed asTaiwan's official name under the "Government" section,[37] due to U.S. acknowledgement ofBeijing'sOne-China policy according to which there is one China and Taiwan is a part of it.[38] The name "Republic of China" was briefly added on January 27, 2005,[39] but has since been changed back to "none".[37] Of theFactbook's two maps ofChina, one highlights theisland of Taiwan as part of the country[35] while the other does not.[40]
TheParacel Islands andSpratly Islands, subjects of territorial disputes, have entries in theFactbook where they are not listed as the territory of any one nation. The disputed claims to the islands are discussed in the entries.[41][42]
The U.S. does not recognize the renaming ofBurma by itsruling military junta toMyanmar and thus keeps its entry for the country under theBurma name.[43]
The country was first entered asMacedonia in theFactbook upon independence in 1992.[44] In the 1994 edition, the name of the entry was changed to theFormer Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, as it is recognised by the United Nations (pending resolution of theMacedonia naming dispute).[45][46] For the next decade, this was the name the nation was listed under. In the 2004 edition of theFactbook, the name of the entry was changed back toMacedonia, following a November 2004 U.S. decision to refer to the country using this name.[47][48][49] On February 19, 2019, the entry was renamed toNorth Macedonia following the country's name change to theRepublic of North Macedonia.
On December 16, 2004, the CIA added an entry for theEuropean Union (EU) for the first time.[50][51] The "What's New" section of the 2005Factbook states: "The European Union continues to accruemore nation-like characteristics for itself and so a separate listing was deemed appropriate."[38]
United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges and Iles Eparses
TheSocialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) broke apart in 1991. The following year, it was replaced in theFactbook with entries for each of its former constituent republics.[44] In doing this, the CIA listed theFederal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY), proclaimed in 1992, asSerbia and Montenegro, as the U.S. did not recognize the union between the two republics.[57][58] This was done in accordance with a May 21, 1992, decision by the U.S. not to recognize any of the former Yugoslav republics[59][60] assuccessor states to the recently dissolved SFRY.
A map ofSerbia and Montenegro from the 2000 edition ofThe World Factbook.[61] 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 theFactbook: "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."[62] Montenegro and Serbia were treated separately in theFactbook data, as can be seen on the map.[63] In October 2000,Slobodan Milošević wasforced out of office after a disputed election.[64] This event led to democratic elections and U.S. diplomatic recognition. The 2001 edition of theFactbook thus referred to the state asYugoslavia.[65] On March 14, 2002, an agreement was signed to transform the FRY into a loose state union calledSerbia and Montenegro;[66] it took effect on February 4, 2003.[67] The name of the Yugoslavia entity was altered in theFactbook the month after the change.[68]
In June 2009, USNational Public Radio (NPR), relying on information obtained fromThe World Factbook, put the number ofIsraeli Jews living insettlements in theWest Bank andIsraeli-annexedEast Jerusalem at 250,000. However, a better estimate, based on theState Department and Israeli sources put the figure at about 500,000. NPR then issued a correction. Chuck Holmes, foreign editor for NPR Digital, said, "I'm surprised and displeased, and it makes me wonder what other information is out-of-date or incorrect in the CIAWorld Factbook."[71]
The Factbook currently states that only four percent ofBotswana are practitioners of the indigenousBadimo religion,[72] in reality a great majority of Botswana follow at least some of the traditions deemedBadimo.[73]
Scholars have acknowledged that some entries in theFactbook are out of date.[74]
The government's ownNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) contradicts the CIA's Factbook website, stating that three countries have "not adopted" themetric system is incorrect.[75] At the time a better term would have been "not committed", however this is not the case anymore as of 2023 all countries listed are committed to adopting the metric system including the US.[76][77]
^Directorate of Intelligence."About The World Factbook—Copyright and Contributors".Archived from the original on December 30, 2021. RetrievedDecember 30, 2021.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. TheFactbook is in the public domain. Accordingly, it may be copied freely without the permission of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
^abc"CIA World Factbook 2006 Now Available" (Press release). Central Intelligence Agency. April 5, 2006. Archived fromthe original on June 13, 2007. RetrievedJanuary 11, 2007.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.
^abDirectorate of Intelligence."About The World Factbook—Copyright and Contributors".Archived from the original on December 30, 2021. RetrievedDecember 30, 2021.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. TheFactbook is in the public domain. Accordingly, it may be copied freely without permission of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
^Directorate of Intelligence (November 24, 2010)."World Factbook Updates – October 22, 2010". Archived fromthe original on May 14, 2011. RetrievedDecember 1, 2010.Since 2004, The World Factbook website has been updated on a bi-weekly schedule. Culminating a three-month trial effort, we are pleased to announce that the Factbook will now be updated on a weekly basis.
^abDirectorate of Intelligence."The World Factbook – History". Archived fromthe original on June 12, 2007. RetrievedMarch 3, 2007.The first classified Factbook was published in August 1962, and the first unclassified version was published in June 1971.
^Directorate of Intelligence (2008).CIA – The World Factbook 2008: Purchasing Information. Government Printing Office.ISBN9780160873614.Archived from the original on April 27, 2021. RetrievedApril 19, 2015.The Government Printing Office has assumed production of The World Factbook print edition. The CIA has decided to focus Factbook resources exclusively on the World Wide Web online edition...
^Directorate of Intelligence."The World Factbook – Purchasing Information". Archived fromthe original on June 12, 2007. RetrievedSeptember 23, 2006.Other users may obtain sales information about printed copies from the following: Superintendent of Documents...National Technical Information Service
^Texas A&M University Libraries (January 30, 2007)."Introduction to Comparative Politics POLS 329". Archived fromthe original on October 11, 2007. RetrievedJanuary 2, 2008.The world factbook (Handbook of the Nations). Detroit, Mich.: Grand River Books, 1981–.
^abDirectorate of Intelligence."The World Factbook – Notes and Definitions: Entities". Archived fromthe original on June 12, 2007. RetrievedJuly 12, 2011."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...
^abDirectorate of Intelligence (April 8, 2011)."World Factbook Updates – April 8, 2011". Archived fromthe original on April 9, 2011. RetrievedApril 11, 2011.The Indian Ocean island entity of Mayotte became an overseas department of France on 31 March. The change in status makes it an integral part of France and so its description is now included in the France country profile of The World Factbook. (Archived by WebCite at)
^abDirectorate of Intelligence (September 19, 2006)."The World Factbook – Taiwan".Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. RetrievedSeptember 23, 2006.
^"China".CIA World Factbook. CIA.Archived from the original on February 13, 2021. RetrievedFebruary 2, 2013.
^"Paracel Islands".CIA World Factbook. CIA.Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. RetrievedFebruary 2, 2013.
^"Spratly Islands".CIA World Factbook. CIA.Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. RetrievedFebruary 2, 2013.
^Directorate of Intelligence (September 19, 2006)."The World Factbook – Burma".Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. RetrievedSeptember 23, 2006.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
^Staff reporter (November 4, 2004)."US snubs Greece over Macedonia".BBC News.Archived from the original on November 12, 2006. RetrievedSeptember 23, 2006.Greece has protested strongly at a decision by the US to refer to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) simply as "Macedonia".
^For an example of a redirect, see what happens with theprofileArchived 2022-01-26 at theWayback Machine for Juan de Nova Island (mirror).
^Directorate of Intelligence (July 19, 2007)."CIA – The World Factbook 2007: What's New". Archived fromthe original on June 7, 2007. RetrievedJuly 20, 2007.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.
^Department of State (August 1999)."Serbia and Montenegro (08/99) (See Yugoslavia)".Archived from the original on June 14, 2020. RetrievedFebruary 3, 2007.(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.)
^Directorate of Intelligence (1999)."CIA – The World Factbook 1999 – Serbia and Montenegro". Archived fromthe original on November 9, 1999. RetrievedOctober 17, 2010.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.
^Staff reporter (March 14, 2002)."Yugoslav partners sign historic deal".BBC News.Archived from the original on January 7, 2009. RetrievedOctober 30, 2006.Serbia and Montenegro have signed an accord which will consign the name Yugoslavia to history and shelve any immediate plans for Montenegrin independence.
^Staff reporter (February 4, 2003)."Yugoslavia consigned to history".BBC News.Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. RetrievedNovember 17, 2006.From now on it will be called just Serbia and Montenegro—the two remaining republics joined in a loose union.
^Directorate of Intelligence (March 19, 2003)."CIA – The World Factbook 2002: What's new". Archived fromthe original on April 8, 2003. RetrievedOctober 17, 2010.Yugoslavia has been renamed Serbia and Montenegro as of 4 February 2003.
^Directorate of Intelligence (February 28, 2008)."The World Factbook – Kosovo".Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. RetrievedFebruary 29, 2008.
^Directorate of Intelligence (July 19, 2007)."CIA – The World Factbook 2007: What's New". Archived fromthe original on June 7, 2007. RetrievedJuly 20, 2007.The US Board on Geographic Names (BGN) now recognizes Timor-Leste as the short form name for East Timor* * *
^"U.S. Metrication Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)". NIST. August 28, 2023.The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Factbook is one of the often cited sources of the U.S./Liberia/Burma metric myth. The first unclassified version of the CIA Factbook was published around the same time the U.S. Metric Study. It's likely that the original list of "uncommitted" countries was incorporated, then edited as countries adopted mandatory metric laws. Over the years, many web resources have quoted the CIA Factbook, perpetuating the metric myth and elevating the map to a pop culture meme. {{cite web}}:no-break space character in|quote= at position 504 (help)
On stephansmap.org – TheCIA World Factbook accessible by location and date range; covers the years 2001–2007. AllFactbook entries are tagged with "cia". Requires graphical browser with JavaScript.
