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 * Biographic 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 * Free access to the companion website, www.statesmansyearbook.com, providing regular updates and supplementary material including profiles of key past leaders since 1945: see the sticker on the front of the book for the unique access code.