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Cover of The 1990 CIA World Factbook

The 1990 CIA World Factbook

Written by United States. Central Intelligence Agency

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Political scienceGeographyPolitical statisticsWorld politics

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About this book

"The 1990 CIA World Factbook" by the United States Central Intelligence Agency is an information-rich reference book produced for governmental use, published in the late 20th century. It provides detailed statistics and descriptions of countries and territories, including geographical data, demographic information, economic indicators, and political structures, organized for all 249 recognized entities during that period. The beginning of the publication outlines the structure and purpose of the factbook, specifically catering to the needs of U.S. government officials. The introductory sections explain the format and content adjustments made since previous editions, laying a foundation for understanding each included nation's unique features. For instance, the facts provided for countries like Afghanistan, Albania, and Algeria introduce vital statistics about their geography, populations, economies, and government types, highlighting historical contexts such as Afghanistan's civil war and Algeria's reliance on oil exports. This serves as a fundamental resource for policy-making and research related to international relations and comparative studies in the political and economic landscape.

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Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The 1990 CIA World Factbook, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 40 hours
  • intermediate
  • informative
  • factual
  • objective

The 1990 CIA World Factbook serves as a critical governmental reference tool, meticulously compiling detailed statistics and descriptive data for 249 global entities in the late 20th century. Designed primarily for U.S. government officials, it offers a comprehensive snapshot of each nation's geography, demographics, economic indicators, and political structures. The publication's introductory sections delineate its organizational methodology and purpose, providing context for understanding the granular data presented for countries like Afghanistan and Algeria. This extensive compilation functions as an indispensable resource for informed policy-making, international relations analysis, and comparative geopolitical studies, reflecting the global landscape at a pivotal historical moment.

“This publication is prepared for the use of U.S. Government officials, and the style, format, coverage, and content are designed to meet their specific requirements.”

Key themes

The Pursuit of Knowledge and Information Control
The fundamental purpose of the Factbook is to aggregate and present vast amounts of data, highlighting the intelligence community's continuous effort to understand and categorize the world. This theme explores how information is collected, organized, and disseminated for strategic advantage and policy-making.
Geopolitical Landscape and National Identity
The Factbook meticulously details the political, economic, and social characteristics of 249 entities, thereby constructing a snapshot of global geopolitics and implicitly defining national identities through factual data. It highlights how nations are categorized and understood in relation to others.
Economic Interdependence and Disparity
Through its detailed economic indicators, the Factbook illustrates the vast disparities in global wealth, development, and resource distribution, while also implicitly showing how nations are interconnected through trade, aid, and shared markets. It highlights the economic realities that drive international relations.

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How does the structure and purpose of The 1990 CIA World Factbook reflect the geopolitical priorities of the United States during the late Cold War/early post-Cold War era?

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