US EditionCIA ends publication of its popular World Factbook reference tool
The CIA ends a more than 60-year run of the World Factbook amid agency-wide program cuts targeting non-core missions, impacting millions of global users annually.
- On Wednesday, the US Central Intelligence Agency announced it will cease publishing the World Factbook, saying the publication had `sunset` and urging readers to 'stay curious about the world and find ways to explore it & in person or virtually'.
- The Factbook later moved into the public domain when an unclassified edition was released and a digital public‑domain version followed, expanding access.
- After going online in 1997, the Factbook attracted journalists, academics and students, drawing millions of visits annually, while other federal agencies relied on its updated country statistics.
- The agency gave no official reason, and the shutdown follows CIA Director John Ratcliffe's vow to end non-core programs amid White House staffing cuts including about 1,200 planned job cuts.
- The announcement posted with a site timestamp and the CIA has been contacted for comment, marking this as a breaking development.
75 Articles
75 Articles
CIA Ends Its World Factbook
Close the cover on the CIA World Factbook: The spy agency announced Wednesday that after more than 60 years, it is shuttering the popular reference manual. All pages have been taken offline, including archived copies of earlier versions. The announcement posted to the CIA's website offered no reason for the...
Era of The World Factbook comes to an end – CIA bids farewell to its publication after 60 years
After going online in 1997 on CIA.gov, 'The World Factbook' quickly became a popular reference site for journalists, trivia enthusiasts and college essay writers, racking up millions of visits per year.
CIA Closes the Cover on Iconic World Factbook
The CIA has announced the closure of its long-standing World Factbook, a popular reference manual. Launched in 1962, the Factbook transitioned from a classified tool to a public resource available online. The decision aligns with directing resources toward core missions amid budget constraints.
Associated Press News
CIA ends publication of its popular World Factbook reference tool
The CIA is ending the publication of its popular World Factbook reference manual. The agency announced the decision Wednesday but gave no reason for it.
"One of the CIA's oldest and most recognizable intelligence publications, the World Factbook, is no longer available," the US intelligence agency itself reports on its website. The Factbook was an important reference work with information about various countries around the world.
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