related portals: Central Intelligence Agency
sister projects: Wikipedia article, Commons gallery, Commons category, quotes, textbook, course, Wikidata itemThe World Factbook is a reference resource produced by the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States with almanac-style information about the countries of the world. The official print 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 World Factbook is available in the form of a website, which is partially updated every week. It is also available for download for use off-line. It provides a two- to three-page summary of the demographics, geography, communications, government, economy, and military of each of 267 international entities including U.S.-recognized countries, dependencies, and other areas in the world.
As of February 26, 2026 the Factbook has ceased official publication, and is now archived in the Internet Archive and elsewhere.
