Figures draw America's portrait

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Very little is abstract about the U.S. Census Bureau's "Statistical Abstract of the United States," a 1,385-page annual compendium of America, as told in some 1,400 tables and charts.

It's quite succinct, however.

The hefty 2004-05 edition was released yesterday, summarizing life in our nation according to data: our ups, downs, ins, outs, health, wealth and happiness -- or unhappiness, as the case may be.

"The diversity of materials can be amazing. There is a 'gee whiz' factor at work here," Census Bureau spokesman Lars Johanson said yesterday. "People are impressed when they realize just how many things are measured. But then they often say, 'Yeah, that was what I thought.' The press, meanwhile, is always interested in the 'Abstract.' They get to present a picture of America in terms of numbers."

We are a nation of eaters.

The latest statistics reveal that beef is still our meat of choice. The average American ate 64 pounds last year, but also wolfed down 57 pounds of chicken and 14 pounds of turkey.

Although we eat 9 pounds of cheddar cheese per person annually, the pizza connection seems to prevail: Americans eat an average 9.7 pounds of mozzarella a year as well. Our favorite fruit is the banana (26 pounds per person each year) while our favorite veggie is -- surprise -- the potato. We went through 45 pounds of them -- and 17 pounds of potato chips.

We're thirsty, too: According to the most recent statistics, over a year we drink 23.6 gallons of coffee, 21.9 gallons of milk and 21.8 gallons of beer.

More than 103 million Americans dined out last year -- our favorite leisure-time activity. About 83.7 million entertained at home, and 33 million "cooked for fun." We seem more interested in pastries, though. The abstract reveals that 37 million of us baked.

The nation's forests and lakes hosted 34 million anglers, 13 million hunters, 66 million "wildlife watchers" and a well-meaning 13 million who said they helped "maintain the plantings in natural areas." We're playful, too. Americans spent $633 billion on recreational equipment.