Page 53 - 416_

incomes that classify them as poor by United States government
standards. In Washington, as elsewhere in the United States,
poverty affects blacks more than whites. About 14 per cent of all
the black families living in the metropolitan area are poor,
compared to about 3 per cent of all the white families.
Much of the crime in the Washington area takes place in the
city, especially in poor neighborhoods. However, in recent years,
crime rates have been rising more rapidly in the suburbs than in
the city. Washington's crime problem receives more nationwide
publicity than that of any other city with the possible exception
New York City. Whenever a government official is the victim of a
crime, the news is reported throughout the country.
Cultural life and recreation. The museums, government
buildings, monuments, libraries, parks, and theaters help make
Washington a leading cultural and recreational center. Residents as
well as tourists enjoy these facilities.
Washington also has many cultural and recreational facilities
used chiefly by its residents. These include a public library system
with about 1, 620,000 volumes. The system includes a main library
and about 25 branch libraries. The main library is the Martin
Luther King Memorial library. Washington has many
neighborhood museums, including some that specialize in exhibits
of black culture. The city's main playhouses - in addition to the
Kennedy Center - include the National Theatre, the Arena Stage,
Ford's Theatre, and the Shakespeare Theatre.
Washington has about 150 parks. Many Washingtonians enjoy
boating on the Potomac River. Three professional sports teams
play in the Washington area. The Washington Redskins of the
National Football League play in the Robert F. Kennedy, or RFK,
Stadium, about 2 miles (3 kilometers) east of the Capitol. The
Washington Bullets of the National Basketball Association and the
Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League play in the
USAir Arena in Landover, Md.

HISTORY

The first people known to have lived in the Washington area
were Piscataway Indians. Whites moved into the area during the
late 1600's and established farms and plantations. In 1749, settlers