The United States has carried on foreign intelligence activities since the days of George Washington, but only since World War II have they been coordinated on a government-wide basis. The CIA World Factbook is one of three programs that have highlighted the development of coordinated basic intelligence since that time.
The World Factbook includes information on 271 countries, territories and other areas, with full-color maps and flags.
Each country listing includes:
- Flag graphic and flag text description
- Map image
- Background, including a historical summary
- Geography
- People
- Government
- Economy
- Communications
- Transportation
- Military
- Transnational issues
Learn more about the world with the CIA Factbook!