The World Factbook: CIA's 2003 Edition - Tapa dura

"Excellent for answering quick reference questions on the nations of the world." -AMERICAN REFERENCE WORKS ANNUAL

In the thirty years since its declassification, The World Factbook, produced annually by the CIA, has become the ultimate, authoritative source of information on all the nations of the world. It provides current data for more than 250 countries and territories, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. Brassey's has published a commercial version of The World Factbook for more than ten years in order to extend the limited audience reached by the CIA's publication. This current Brassey's edition is identified by the year 2004, following the pattern Brassey's uses in other annual publications. The CIA completes its volume late each year, and Brassey's republishes it the following year. Topics addressed include the political climate, natural resources, environment, population, ethnic groups, GDP, agriculture, industries, defense expenditures, literacy rate, religion, legal system, and much more. Key data are grouped under the headings of geography, people, government, economy, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues. The World Factbook also contains a multitude of maps - one of each country and others for key territories. In addition, readers will find handy appendixes