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Cited in Guide to Reference Books, this annually updated reference, now in its 13th edition, occupies four hefty volumes, each devoted to a region (in sequence) : southern, western, central, and eastern. Twenty-five cities from each region, selected as "best" for business and living, are thoroughly profiled. Entries begin with an essay on historical and contemporary background and a presentation of rankings given to the cities by magazines, studies, and other sources. Following are statistical tables covering such topics as city finances, demographics, economy, residential and commercial real estate, transportation, taxes, event sites, cost of living, health care, residential utilities, presidential election results, major employers, public safety, media, climate, hazardous waste, and air and water quality.