Now in its fifty-ninth edition, this title continues to provide the most up-to-date geo-political and economic information for this important world area.Users of the 59th edition will have access to a vast amount of new content, including:comprehensive coverage of the anti-government uprisings across the Middle East and North Africa regions, as well as detailed background information on the political and economic affairs of the affected countriescoverage of elections in Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Libya and Tunisiathoroughly revised directories of political organizations and leadersKey Features: covers the Middle East and North Africa from Algeria to Yemen includes topical contributions from acknowledged experts on the region 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 1967–2012; Documents on Palestine; Nuclear Proliferation in the Middle East; Political Islam; Oil; Natural Gas; and The Religions of the Middle East and North Africa Country SurveysIndividual chapters on each country incorporating:essays on the physical and social geography, recent history and economy of the countryan extensive statistical survey of economic indicators, which include area and population, health and welfare, agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, industry, finance, trade, transport, tourism, communications media and educationa full directory with names, addresses and contact details covering the constitution, government, legislature, political organizations, election commissions, diplomatic representation, judiciary, religious groups, the media, finance, trade and industry (including petroleum and natural gas), tourism, defence and educationa bibliography, providing suggestions for further research. Regional Information includes all major international organizations active in the region; research institutes specializing in the region; and select bibliographies of books and periodicals covering the Middle East and North Africa.