# The World Factbook

> reference resource produced by the Central Intelligence Agency (1962–2026)

**Wikidata**: [Q11191](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11191)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_World_Factbook)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-world-factbook

## Summary

The World Factbook is a series of creative works[1][2].The World Factbook has one reference to its type[1][2].

## Summary
The World Factbook is a reference resource produced by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 1962 to 2026. It is an annual publication that serves as a comprehensive guide to confirmed facts about countries, including political, economic, and social data. The factbook is classified as a reference work, a series of creative works, and an annual publication, reflecting its structured and regularly updated nature.

## Key Facts
- Produced by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 1962 to 2026
- Classified as a reference work, a series of creative works, and an annual publication
- Published annually, providing up-to-date information on countries
- Includes confirmed facts about political, economic, and social aspects of nations
- Originally published by the United States Government Publishing Office
- Available online through the CIA’s official website and the U.S. Government Publishing Office’s archive
- Has aliases such as CIA World Factbook, World Factbook (Online), and The World Factbook (Online)
- Contains detailed data on countries, including their inception dates, recognition of independence, and other key historical events
- Serves as a genre of work to which one can refer for confirmed facts about nations

## FAQs
**What is The World Factbook?**
The World Factbook is a reference resource produced by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) that provides confirmed facts about countries, including political, economic, and social data. It is published annually and serves as a comprehensive guide to nations worldwide.

**Who produces The World Factbook?**
The World Factbook is produced by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), a national foreign intelligence agency of the United States. It was originally published by the United States Government Publishing Office.

**How often is The World Factbook updated?**
The World Factbook is updated annually, making it a regularly revised source of information on countries.

**What types of information does The World Factbook include?**
The World Factbook includes confirmed facts about countries, covering political, economic, and social aspects, as well as historical events such as the recognition of independence.

**Where can I access The World Factbook?**
The World Factbook is available online through the CIA’s official website and the U.S. Government Publishing Office’s archive.

## Why It Matters
The World Factbook serves as a critical reference resource for understanding the political, economic, and social landscapes of countries worldwide. By providing confirmed facts in a structured format, it enables researchers, policymakers, and the general public to access reliable information about nations. Its annual updates ensure that the data remains current, making it an essential tool for analysis and decision-making. Additionally, the factbook’s classification as a reference work and its production by the CIA underscore its role in disseminating authoritative information to the global community.

## Notable For
- Being the primary reference resource produced by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for over six decades
- Providing confirmed facts about countries in a structured, annual publication format
- Including detailed historical data, such as the inception dates and recognition of independence for nations
- Serving as a comprehensive guide to political, economic, and social aspects of nations
- Being available online through multiple official sources, ensuring broad accessibility

## Body
### Overview
The World Factbook is a reference resource produced by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 1962 to 2026. It is classified as a reference work, a series of creative works, and an annual publication, reflecting its structured and regularly updated nature. The factbook serves as a comprehensive guide to confirmed facts about countries, including political, economic, and social data.

### Production and Publication
The World Factbook was originally published by the United States Government Publishing Office, an agency responsible for printing and binding U.S. federal government materials. The CIA, established in 1947, produced the factbook from its inception in 1962 until 2026. The publication is available online through the CIA’s official website and the U.S. Government Publishing Office’s archive, ensuring broad accessibility.

### Content and Structure
The World Factbook includes detailed information about countries, such as their inception dates, recognition of independence, and other key historical events. For example, the United States declared independence on July 4, 1776, and its independence was recognized by other countries on May 12, 1784. The factbook also provides data on political, economic, and social aspects of nations, making it a valuable resource for researchers and policymakers.

### Classification and Genre
The World Factbook is classified as a reference work, a series of creative works, and an annual publication. As a reference work, it serves as a genre to which one can refer for confirmed facts about countries. Its classification as a series of creative works highlights its structured and organized format, while its annual publication status ensures that the data remains current and relevant.

### Significance and Impact
The World Factbook plays a crucial role in providing authoritative information about countries to the global community. Its production by the CIA and its classification as a reference resource underscore its reliability and comprehensiveness. The factbook’s annual updates and detailed data make it an essential tool for understanding the political, economic, and social landscapes of nations worldwide.

## References

1. Library of Congress Online Catalog
2. [Jisc](https://discover.libraryhub.jisc.ac.uk/id/3482934)
3. WorldCat
4. [Source](https://www.si.edu/object/siris_sil_457978)
5. [Library of Congress Online Catalog](https://lccn.loc.gov/81641760)
6. SUDOC
7. National Collective Archive of Periodicals
8. LIBRIS
9. [Source](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nlmcatalog/101517826)
10. German Union Catalogue of Serials
11. Google Books
12. [Source](https://opac.k10plus.de/DB=2.299/PPNSET?PPN=129452688)
13. [Source](https://permalink.obvsg.at/AC02901259)
14. OPAC SBN
15. [Source](https://opac.k10plus.de/DB=2.299/PPNSET?PPN=379051109)
16. ISSN Portal
17. [Online Books Page](https://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/gutbook/lookup?num=27559)
18. [Spotlighting The World Factbook as We Bid a Fond Farewell. Central Intelligence Agency. 2026](https://www.cia.gov/stories/story/spotlighting-the-world-factbook-as-we-bid-a-fond-farewell/)
19. [CIA ends publication of its popular World Factbook reference tool. Associated Press. 2026](https://apnews.com/article/cia-world-factbook-ratcliffe-trump-fbec61ce16c4b3db59db9cefce0da043)
20. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
21. [Source](http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS552)
22. [Source](http://lib.fsu.edu/get/ciawfb)
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25. [German Union Catalogue of Serials](https://ld.zdb-services.de/resource/198385-4)
26. [Source](http://ezb.uni-regensburg.de/ezeit/?2135690)
27. [Source](https://dbis.uni-regensburg.de/frontdoor.php?titel_id=222)
28. CiNii
29. CiNii Research
30. BabelNet
31. [CIA ends publication of its popular World Factbook reference tool. 2026](https://apnews.com/article/cia-world-factbook-ratcliffe-trump-fbec61ce16c4b3db59db9cefce0da043)
32. Quora
33. British Library online catalogue
34. Google News
35. [Source](https://libris.kb.se/katalogisering/t3ldp0l6rg78qqnc)
36. [Source](https://gateway-bayern.de/BV002689888)
37. [Source](https://gateway-bayern.de/BV019391761)
38. [Source](https://marcpresentation.bibs.aws.unit.no/?mms_id=990118648184702201)
39. [Source](http://swb.bsz-bw.de/DB=2.1/PRS=rdf/PPNSET?PPN=129452688)
40. [Hoopla](https://www.hoopladigital.com/series/wd/4029562655)
41. KBpedia