[United States Government Manual] [May 31, 1996] [Pages 152-154] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]Bureau of Economic Analysis [For the Bureau of Economic Analysis statement of organization, see the Federal Register of Dec. 29, 1980, 45 FR 85496] The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) is the Nation's economic accountant--integrating and interpreting a variety of source data to draw a complete and consistent picture of the U.S. economy. Its economic accounts provide information on such key issues as economic growth, regional development, and the Nation's position in the world economy. The national income and product accounts--featuring gross domestic product--provide a quantitative view of the production, distribution, and use of the Nation's output. The Bureau also prepares estimates of the Nation's tangible wealth and input-output tables that show how industries interact. The regional economic accounts provide estimates of personal income, population, and employment for regions, States, and metropolitan areas. The Bureau prepares estimates of gross state product and projections of regional economic activity. The international economic accounts encompass U.S. international transactions (balance of payments) with foreign countries and the international investment position of the United States. The Bureau provides survey-based data on foreign direct investment in the U.S. and U.S. direct investment abroad. For further information, contact the Public Information Office, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230. Phone, 202-606-9900. Fax, 202-606-5310.