GENERAL NOTE: The Eleventh Edition of Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations (WEN) is comprised of six volumes. Volume 1 is dedicated to the United Nations and its related agencies. Volumes 2 through 5, "Africa," "Americas," "Asia and Oceania," and "Europe," contain entries on the countries of the world. Volume 6, "World Leaders," was added with the Tenth Edition.

Reflecting the ever-changing status of the world geopolitical situation, the Eleventh Edition includes entries for 193 countries—including the world's newest nation, East Timor (Timor Leste) and Serbia and Montenegro, known until February 2003 as Yugoslavia. Seven entries describe dependencies. In this Eleventh Edition, East Timor's entry includes all fifty headings. The aftermath of the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 on the nations of the world, their economies, and heightened international tensions are recorded in nearly every country's entry. The economic slowdown that began in early 2001 had repercussion around...