United States. Central Intelligence Agency

About the author

The United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is a premier intelligence organization tasked with collecting, analyzing, and disseminating critical information to support national security and inform government policy. Although the CIA does not have a traditional birth date, its evolution reflects decades of strategic development and adaptation to the complexities of international relations and global security challenges.

A signature element of the CIA’s public outreach is its annual publication of the CIA World Factbook. Spanning editions from the 1990 CIA World Factbook through the 2010 CIA World Factbook, these comprehensive documents provide detailed profiles of countries around the world, covering aspects such as geography, political structures, economic conditions, and social statistics. The Factbook has become an authoritative resource for policymakers, scholars, and the general public, offering a snapshot of the global landscape that is both current and meticulously researched.

The CIA’s commitment to providing reliable and timely information underscores its critical role in shaping public understanding and national security strategies. Through its rigorous analysis and expansive data collection, the agency continues to influence global intelligence practices and serves as a key reference point for anyone seeking to understand the dynamics of international affairs in an ever-changing world.