The World Factbook (
ISSN ; also known as the
CIA World Factbook) is a reference resource produced by the
Central Intelligence Agency 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 Factbook is available in the form of a [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/ 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.