HAVE A FACTS-AND-FIGURES QUESTION ABOUT VIRGINIA?
	TRY THE LATEST EDITION OF "VIRGINIA STATISTICAL ABSTRACT"

	CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., April 30 -- Where does Virginia rank
in the Southeast in National Forest acreage?  Answer:  First in the
region, with some 1.6 million acres of National Forest.
	Which Virginia county has the most miles of interstate
highway?  Answer:  Henrico County, with 57.4 miles, followed by
Fairfax County, with 51.4 miles.
	How many Virginia radio stations officially listed
"bluegrass" as a major part of their format last year?  Answer:
Nine, including two in Southwest Virginia's Scott County.
	In what book could you quickly find answers to all three
questions?  Answer:  The 1996-97 edition of the "Virginia
Statistical Abstract," just published by the University of
Virginia's Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service.
	The award-winning reference book, completely updated from
the previous edition published two years ago, is intended as an
easy-to-use, comprehensive, single source of data about Virginia and
its localities, according to John W. Garland, the Cooper Center's
acting director.  "We believe that both the general reader and the
specialist will find the Abstract to be an invaluable desktop
reference.  Anyone interested in assessing the state's condition
will find all the basic information he or she needs, plus references
to more detailed statistics."
	The 873-page fifth edition, prepared under the direction of
Cooper Center professor Michael A. Spar, contains more than 600
tables and an extensive index with more than 2,000 entries.  The
"Statistical Abstract" is divided into 23 topical sections,
including such diverse fields as the state's agriculture, economy,
education, government, natural resources, transportation, tourism,
taxes, communications and people.  It is a resource for government
agencies, businesses, libraries, researchers and anyone with
questions about the state.
	Many of the book's tables compare Virginia with surrounding
states and with the United States as a whole.  Others provide
detailed information on each locality.  The information is the most
up-to-date available from hundreds of definitive sources.  The new
edition contains more than 60 new topics including such diverse
statistics as assessed value of property, bank deposits, child abuse
cases, immigration figures, National Forest lands by locality,
Nature Conservancy sites in Virginia and toxic chemical releases in
the state.
	Copies may be ordered from the Cooper Center for Public
Service, University of Virginia, 918 Emmet Street North, Suite 300,
Charlottesville 22903-4832, (804) 982-5704.  The price is $42.50 per
copy, plus sales tax and shipping for total of $48.41.
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April 29, 1996
	For a story on the "Virginia Statistical Abstract" or for
additional information please contact Michael Spar at the Cooper
Center at (804) 982-5585.  Television reporters should contact our
TV News Office at (804) 924-7550.