Acknowledgments.

The Little Green Data Book 2008 is based on World Development Indicators 2008 and its accompanying CD-ROM. Defining, gathering, and disseminating international statistics is a collective effort of many people and organizations. The indicators presented in World Development Indicators are the fruit of decades of work at many levels, from the field workers who administer censuses and household surveys to the committees and working parties of the national and international statistical agencies that develop the nomenclature, classifications, and standards fundamental to the international statistical system. Nongovernmental organizations have also made important contributions. We are indebted to the World Development Indicators partners, as detailed in World Development Indicators 2008. The financial assistance of the Government of Sweden is also gratefully acknowledged.

The Little Green Data Book 2008 is the result of close collaboration between the staff of the Development Data Group of the Development Economics Vice Presidency and the Environment Department. Mehdi Akhlaghi, Richard Fix, Kirk Hamilton, Saeed Ordoubadi, Beatriz Prieto-Oramas, Giovanni Ruta, Alexandra Sears, and Jana Stoever contributed to its preparation. Meta de Coquereaumont, Christopher Trott, and Elaine Wilson of Communications Development provided design, editing, and layout. Staff from External Affairs oversaw publication and distribution of the book.