Now in its fifty-third edition, this title continues to provide the most up-to-date geo-political and economic information for this important world area. The volume covers:

* the Middle East and North Africa from Algeria to Yemen

* offers quick access to a wide range of data

* accurately and impartially records the latest political and economic developments

* provides comprehensive data on all major organizations in the region.

General Survey

* Introductory essays cover topics relating to the region as a whole, including: Arab-Israeli Relations 1967-2003; The Jerusalem Issue; Documents on Palestine; The Removal of Saddam Hussein and the 'Deconstruction' of Iraq; The Islamist Movement in the Middle East and North Africa; Natural Gas in the Middle East and North Africa; Oil in the Middle East and North Africa; Islamic Banking and Finance and The Religions of the Middle East and North Africa.

Country Surveys

• Individual chapters on each country containing: articles on geography, recent history and economy; an economic and demographic survey using all the latest available statistics on population, agriculture, industry, finance, trade, transport, tourism, and education; directory sections with names, addresses and contact numbers covering the constitution, government, legislature, judiciary, political organizations, diplomatic representation, religious groups, the media, finance, trade and industry (including petroleum), and tourism.

Regional Information

* includes all major international organizations active in the region, their aims, activities, publications and principal personnel

* research Institutes specializing in the region

* bibliographies of books and periodicals covering the Middle East and North Africa.