This classic reference work presents a political, economic and social account of every country of the world together with facts and analysis. The 2009 edition includes: Detailed maps of all 193 countries; Bibliographic profiles of all current leaders; Expanded coverage of political history and economic performance; Completely revised population projections for 2010; Key easy-to-digest world data on oil and the environment; In Defence of Scepticism by Barry Turner; Revised and updated historical introductions to all countries