A reference book or database containing statistical and factual information about countries, organizations, or specific subjects. Most commonly refers to the CIA World Factbook.
Compound word combining 'fact' (from Latin 'factum' meaning 'something done') and 'book' (from Old English 'boc'). The term emerged in the mid-20th century as intelligence agencies and organizations began compiling systematic factual references.
The CIA World Factbook has become the internet's unofficial encyclopedia of countries, providing everything from population statistics to the number of airports in Uzbekistan. It's remarkable that what began as a classified intelligence tool is now freely available and consulted by students worldwide for geography homework.
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