Traditionally an "almanac" was an annual publication that contained information devoted to a particular field or fields and was often arranged according to the calendar. Astronomical data and various statistics were also found in early almanacs, such as the times of the rising and setting of the sun and moon, eclipses, hours of full tide, stated festivals of churches, etc.

In the mid-1970s the LDS Church News first published a "Church Almanac" that contained historical material relating to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These early Church almanacs contained biographical information for Church leaders, lists of Church departments and other statistical information. The LDS Church News continues to publish an annual almanac containing material of interest to Church members.

In this "almanac" section of the Church News Web site, you will be able to find historical and statistical material of interest to Church members, material that comes from the annual Church Almanac (including past almanacs), and other material of interest.

• Country information: Albania

  Jan. 1, 2009: Est. population, 3,639,000; Members, 1,838; Branches, 10; Districts, 1; Missions, 1; Percent LDS, .05 or one in 2,545; Europe Area.
  Published: Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009

• Country information: American Samoa

  Jan. 1, 2009: Est. population, 65,600; Members, 14,740; Stakes, 4; Wards, 30; Branches, 6; Percent LDS, 22.5 or one in 4.5; Pacific Area, Samoa Apia Mission.
  Published: Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009

• Country information: Andorra

  Jan. 1, 2009: Est. Population: 83,800; Members, 58; Branches, 1; Percent LDS, .07, or one in 1,445; Europe Area; Spain Barcelona Mission.
  Published: Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009

• Country information: Angola

  Jan. 1, 2009: Est. population, 12,799,000; Members, 647; Branch 1;Percent LDS, .005, or one in 19,782; Africa Southeast Area.
  Published: Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009

• Country information: Antigua and Barbuda
  
  Published: Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009
• Country information: Argentina
  
  Published: Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009
• Country information: Armenia
  
  Published: Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009
• Country information: Australia
  
  Published: Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009
• Country information: Austria
  
  Published: Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009
• Biographies of the original 1847 pioneer company
  
  Published: Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009
• The pioneers of 1847
  
  Published: Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009
• Church history — Nauvoo
  
  Published: Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009
• Top 10 stories of the 20th Century
  
  Published: Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009