When did The World Factbook first appear as a classified edition?
The first classified edition of The World Factbook appeared in August 1962. It served U.S. government officials with almanac-style data on global countries.
Questions about The World Factbook
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who compiles the entries for The World Factbook and which agencies contribute data?
The Central Intelligence Agency compiles entries using multiple government departments including the Department of Defense, Bureau of the Census, and Department of State. Private sources like the Oil & Gas Journal supplement these government inputs to ensure wide factual coverage across 258 international entities.
What is the current update frequency for The World Factbook website since 2010?
Since 2010, the site has been refreshed weekly. Information current as of January 1 is typically used for each new edition.
Why does The World Factbook list the Chagos Archipelago as British Indian Ocean Territory instead of Mauritian land?
This reflects U.S. policy which does not recognize Mauritius sovereignty over the islands. A UN General Assembly resolution dated the 24th of May 2019 called for UK withdrawal from colonial administration there but only six countries including the US opposed it.
When did The World Factbook stop printing physical books completely?
Printed books officially ceased production in 2017. In 2008, the CIA decided to focus resources exclusively on the online edition before the Government Printing Office took over printing duties.