The CIA World Factbook 2010

Product Description
A country-by-country guide to the world?the product of 67 years of CIA intelligence. From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, The CIA World Factbook 2010 offers complete and up-to-date information on the world?s nations. This all-inclusive reference guide has been updated for 2010 with detailed information on politics, populations, military expenditures, economics, and much more. It includes:

* Useful maps with new geopolitical data
* Details on prominent political parties, and contact information for diplomatic consultation
* A full description of the population of each country, with information on literacy rates, HIV prevalence, and age structure
* A complete economic overview, from household income to gross domestic product
* Information on transportation and communication infrastructure.
* New data on military expenditures and capabilities
* User-friendly headings, sub-headings, an index, and a list of physical coordinates of major places for easy reading

There are also appendices offering useful abbreviations, a list of international organizations and groups, international environmental agreements, the conversion of weights and measures, and more. Originally intended for use by government officials, this amazingly useful reference guide is a must for every student, traveler, journalist, and businessperson. 160 black-and-white illustrations.