CIA Library - Global Updates from Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

[freeware]

February 18, 2011 - The 2011 Factbook cover has been unveiled in the Gallery of Covers under the References tab! While you are there, find out what year The World Factbook first featured a color cover.

Source: World Factbook Updates - February 18, 2011

[freeware]

February 23, 2011 - Did you know that the developing world increased its estimated share of worldwide mobile-cellular subscriptions from roughly 35 percent at the beginning of the decade to nearly 75 percent in 2010? All of The World Factbook's telephone-related fields, as well as all of the population entries, have been updated with the latest data.

Source: World Factbook Updates - February 23, 2011

[freeware]

February 25, 2011 - Posted updated Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members of Foreign Governments  with updated entries for Bolivia, Brazil, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Eritrea, Jordan, Mauritania, Moldova, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Russia, Syria, Togo, Turkmenistan. Changes reflect updates in leadership, positions, or the spelling of officials' names in the country listings during the period 10 - 24 Feb 2011.

Source: World Leaders - Updates for 10 - 24 Feb 2011

[CIA]

March 3, 2011 - What country has three megacities with populations of greater than 15 million? (No, it's not China.) The World Factbook now lists a country's four largest cities, as well as its capital, in the new "Major cities - population" field, in the People section of a country entry. See the Definitions and Notes, under the References tab, to get the exact breakdown on what is included in this new field.

Source: World Factbook Updates - March 3, 2011

[CIA]

March 10, 2011 - Posted updated Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members of Foreign Governments  with updated entries for Bahrain, Brazil, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Georgia, Germany, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Rwanda, Taiwan--NDE, Tajikistan, Thailand, Zambia. Changes reflect updates in leadership, positions, or the spelling of officials' names in the country listings during the period 25 Feb - 4 Mar 2011.

Source: World Leaders - Updates for 25 Feb - 4 Mar 2011

[CIA]

March 10, 2011 - What country has the longest system of waterways - navigable rivers and canals - in the world? Find out in The World Factbook  by going to the References tab/Country Comparison/Waterways. In the Transportation section, both the "Waterways" and "Roadways" entries have been updated. New photos introduced for Egypt.

Source: World Factbook Updates - March 10, 2011

[CIA]

March 18, 2011 - Japan's strongest-ever earthquake, and accompanying tsunami, recently devastated northeast Japan, killing thousands and damaging several nuclear power plants. The "Economic overview" for Japan presents a preliminary survey of the calamitous situation.

Source: World Factbook Updates - March 18, 2011

[CIA]

March 22, 2011 - Posted updated Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members of Foreign Governments  with updated entries for Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, France, Germany, Hungary, Iran--NDE, Ireland, Japan, Korea, North--NDE, Lithuania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Portugal, Serbia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Vanuatu. Changes reflect updates in leadership, positions, or the spelling of officials' names in the country listings during the period 4 - 18 Mar 2011.

Source: World Leaders - Updates for 4 - 18 Mar 2011

[CIA]

March 24, 2011 - Posted updated Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members of Foreign Governments with updated entries for Bahrain, Brunei, Chad, Ethiopia, Gambia, The, Mali, Senegal, Solomon Islands, Sudan, Togo. Changes reflect updates in leadership, positions, or the spelling of officials' names in the country listings during the period 18 - 22 Mar 2011.

Source: World Leaders - Updates for 18 - 22 Mar 2011

[CIA]

March 25, 2011 - What country was formerly named Upper Volta? Find out by checking Appendix F (Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names).

Source: World Factbook Updates - March 25, 2011