The 2009 CIA World Factbook

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

35829

Title

The 2009 CIA World Factbook

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

The 2009 CIA World Factbook serves as a comprehensive, continuously updated reference for global data. Produced by the US Central Intelligence Agency, it offers policymakers, researchers, and students a one-stop resource for international realities. With a clean, navigable design and frequent updates, it delivers essential facts on geography, demographics, government, economy, and more, fostering knowledge as a foundation for free societies.

Summary up to 500 words

The 2009 CIA World Factbook, produced by the United States Central Intelligence Agency, serves as a comprehensive, continuously updated repository of international data designed to present the basic realities of the world. Updated on average every two weeks, this publication draws from a vast array of US Government agencies and hundreds of published sources to provide a consolidated one-stop reference for officials, news organizations, corporations, educators, and students. The Factbook operates on the belief that knowledge of the truth underpins free societies, making it a vital tool for understanding global dynamics. Each country profile within the 2009 edition offers an exhaustive breakdown across eight primary categories: Geography, People, Government, Economy, Communications, Transportation, Military, and Transnational Issues. The Geography section details location, area, climate, terrain, natural resources, and land use, while the People category covers demographics, including population structure, birth and death rates, life expectancy, languages, religions, and literacy. Government profiles outline the type of regime, capital, administrative divisions, and the structure of executive, legislative, and judicial branches, often reflecting recent electoral changes. The Economy section provides critical indicators such as GDP, inflation, labor force statistics, and agriculture data. Notably, the 2009 edition introduced significant enhancements to economic tracking, including two years of data for family income distribution (Gini index), public debt, and foreign investment, alongside three years of data for GDP growth and market value of publicly traded shares. The Military category details branches, expenditures, and manpower, while Transnational Issues address disputes, trafficking, and illicit drugs. The 2009 edition also featured substantial visual and technical upgrades. It incorporated new NASA space and ground photographs for numerous nations, expanded rail gauge data, and redesigned website features to include downloadable photos and built-in world rankings. These updates ensure that the Factbook remains a dynamic, reliable resource for anyone seeking accurate, consolidated information on the nations that shape our global reality.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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2026-07-11 13:07 UTC

Categories

• Politics