The United States is a nation of counties--3,071 of them. This reference book offers a profile and history of every one of them.

The authors provide the following information for each county: name, county seat, population, land area, location and prominent geographical features, name derivation, date of establishment, and products and industries. Selected entries include a sampling of famous residents, interesting facts or oddities, population and area rankings and name comparatives. Alaska is not included, as it does not have any counties. Connecticut and Rhode Island's counties were officially abolished a few years ago, but information about the former counties is included. Louisiana's parishes are also included.