Author Description

Which state has the best transportation system? The lowest population? The highest crime rate? This is not a ten best and worst book, but a conveniently organized collection of rankings. CQ's State Fact Finder 1998 is the latest edition of an important quick reference that annually updates a comprehensive array of information -- by state and by subject -- with hundreds of new social, political, and economic facts and comparisons of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. As with previous editions, the book is thoroughly indexed for quick research. More than 240 tables of economic, social, demographic, and other data are organized into 12 subject chapters: -- Population -- Government -- Taxes -- Health -- Federal Impacts -- Crime -- Economies -- Revenues and Finances -- Welfare -- Geography -- Education -- Transportation Each table presents the data by state and by state ranking and is organized to make state-to-state comparisons easy. Wherever possible, national totals and averages are also supplied. A state profile section summarizes each state's rankings for all indicators in the book, so readers can see at a glance their state's standing on all the indicators in the book. The up-to-date information in CQ's State Fact Finder 1998 is gathered from hundreds of sources -- federal and state government data, census statistics, and nonprofit groups' studies. Citations are made to the original source statistics to guide readers to further research. And an introductory essay by the authors guides readers to the most fruitful use of this data to meet their needs.