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The Central Intelligence Agency was created by the National Security Act of 1947, which was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. Prior to the creation of the CIA, the United States government did not have a centralized intelligence agency. Instead, various agencies, such as the State Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), carried out intelligence functions. The creation of the CIA was a response to the perceived intelligence failures leading up to and during World War II, and was intended to streamline and coordinate the various intelligence activities of the federal government.

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is a civilian foreign intelligence service of the federal government of the United States, tasked with gathering, processing, and analyzing national security information from around the world. It is the successor to the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), which was formed during World War II to coordinate espionage activities against the Axis powers. The CIA operates under the authority of the Director of National Intelligence and reports to the President and Congress.

The CIA's primary function is to collect and analyze foreign intelligence information, which it does through a variety of means, including human intelligence (HUMINT) and signals intelligence (SIGINT). It also conducts covert operations and paramilitary activities, although these activities are typically carried out by other agencies, such as the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) or the Special Operations Command (SOCOM).

The CIA is headquartered in Langley, Virginia, and is organized into four main directorates: the National Clandestine Service, the Directorate of Intelligence, the Directorate of Science and Technology, and the Directorate of Support. The Director of the CIA is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

The CIA is sometimes criticized for its secretive nature and for alleged human rights abuses, but it is also credited with playing a vital role in protecting American national security.