The CIA World Factbook 2008 (Cia World Factbook) | 
| Author: Central Intelligence Agency
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing
Category: Book
List Price: $12.95
Buy New: $9.95
You Save: $3.00 (23%)
New (1) Used (4) from $9.94
Avg. Customer Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 66135
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 832
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.2
Dimensions (in): 9.8 x 7 x 1.5
ISBN: 1602390800
Dewey Decimal Number: 028
EAN: 9781602390805
ASIN: 1602390800
Publication Date: December 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: New.
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Product Description
Chock full of up-to-date coverage of countries from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, this fascinating reference—intended for use by government officials—should be on the shelf of every school, world traveler, and journalist. For each country, you’ll find: a thorough introduction with historical background; detailed geographical facts, including current environmental issues; and a full description of the people, with information on literacy rates, HIV prevalence, and major infectious diseases. There are also details on conventional political parties, contact information for diplomatic representation, and the nation’s economic status, complete with statistics. A synopsis of transnational issues includes narcotic-related corruption. Along with multiple appendices, this attractive book features pages of beautiful, recently-updated maps, and three high quality fold-out posters.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 Kindle Edition review & workaround May 13, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The Kindle edition has two problems:
1) The text justification is Centered and can't be altered to full or left justification. This makes for rather annoying reading regardless of what type size you choose.
2) In the Table of Countries, the quickest way to get to the right entry should be to click on the appropriate letter of the alphabet in the alphabet letter list at the top of the Table of Contents.
On the Kindle, you get the alphabet in two lines, A-W and
X-Z.
However, the Kindle handles this kind of links with a pop up "menu" and that only will display links for the letters A through M when you click on the link A-W. So unless you either use the Search on Kindle or page down through the table of contents, you can't get to a N-W country rapidly.
A work around: Go through the text for the N-W countries and use the Kindle Highlight to highlight each letter of the alphabet (at the head of that letter's list of countries. I actually did the whole alphabet this way). Then instead of using the table of contents, use the Menu feature for your Marks.
Also note that Taiwan is listed at the very end of the regular alphabet list.
 CIA World Factbook May 12, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The information is what is on the Internet. I was disappointed that the book did not have the country flags in color.
A Good Reference Book March 29, 2008
Certainly not the most comprehensive handbook, but definitely a serious and solid reference book. The book was less biased than what I expected. It does offer a clear insight on countries we just get no information via common media.
This fact book delivers lots of information, spanning from a short history and the political situation, to the lots of interesting facts and figures on people and geography.
A very interesting book overall.
 facts galore March 20, 2008
This is by far the finest comprehensive and simple to read gathering of world facts that we could fine - it is updated yearly. I have some questions about validity but have to leave it to the CIA to collect the data. Bought for 12 year old's social studies class. Even he thinks its interesting - especially the paved and unpaved airports data. Will buy next years edition. In the back of my brain all I can see is my tax dollars being spent on sending CIA Agents all over the world to determine if the climate is humid or dry. Somebody's got to do it. All in all we use the book regularly and highly recommend it for someone who needs it for school work, crossword puzzles or just to annoy their family with facts.
For the reader that likes to read almost anything March 18, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This fact filled book is complete and continually updated on the CIA's website, and I often consult it there. But, I really enjoy having a copy on a shelf in my garage -- I take it with me to browse through on hiking and driving trips.
The introduction to the paper and ink version is always interesting reading for macro developments. For example, new this year according to the CIA:
"In the Geography category, two new fields focus on the increasingly vital resource of water: 'Total renewable water resources' and 'Freshwater withdrawal.'
"In the Economy category, three fields have been added that focus on capital stocks and investment. They are "Stock of direct foreign investment - at home," "Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad," and "Market value of publicly traded shares." Addition 279 ally, the data for GDP at purchasing power parity (PPP) has been rebased using new PPP conversion rates.... The 2005 benchmark revises downward the size of the world economy in PPP terms from the previous estimates, and changes the relative sizes of many of the world's economies."
"In the Notes and Definitions, concise descriptions have been added of the major religions mentioned in the Factbook.
"Several notable geographic changes have occurred. The US Board on Geographic Names (BGN) now recognizes Timor-Leste as the short form name for East Timor; its description may be found under this new designa 8e7 tion. France's overseas possessions have been reorganized. The five former entities of Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island, previously grouped as Iles Eparses (Scattered Islands), now constitute a district of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands. Additionally, the islands of St. Barthelemy and St. Martin, formerly a part of the French overseas region of Guadeloupe, now make up separate overseas collectivities and have their own Factbook entries. Finally, a new Kosovo entry has been added."
The online version is one of my hotlinks on my computer; the paper and ink version is a source of wonder on the trail or on the road. Our library is always happy to get the previous version when the new version arrives in the fall -- see The CIA World Factbook 2009.
Robert C. Ross
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