"Post Reports are written for U.S. Government employees and family members assigned to diplomatic missions abroad and provide information about living, housing, and health conditions, as well as recreational, cultural, and employment opportunities for family members in the host country. Like the Background Notes, they also provide an overview of the history, geography, demography, and political organization of the country--but, unlike the Background Notes, they contain specific information that is only applicable to U.S. Government employees on foreign assignment."

"Presents easy-to-understand information on 200 countries and dependencies from around the world. Entries discuss a variety of topics in detail, from banking and securities to climate, from government data to demographic statistics. Also includes biographical essays on national leaders."

"Presents the cultural similarities within a country that set it apart from others by examining over 200 countries to document the myriad ways in which culture defines and separates the nations of the world as much as geographical borders do. Surveys each country's shared values, behaviors and cultural variations from foods and rituals to pastimes and arts, using a standard entry format for easy comparison."

Published by the Central Intelligence Agency, the World Factbook provides basic statistical information in the World.