Susan Janzen, age 13, of Gulfport, Miss., for her question:

HOW MANY LOCATIONS ARE IN THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM?

Almost 300 areas have been set aside by the United States National Park System as a way to preserve natural wonderlands, famous historic places and sites for many kinds of outdoor recreation. More than 31 million acres of land is involved.

The system's parklands actually total more than 48,000 square miles, an area that is larger than that of Pennsylvania. Every state except Delaware has at least one national parkland.

There are 37 National Parks. The first one, established as the first national park in the world, was Yellowstone National Park.

There are 81 National Monuments, 51 National Historic Sites, 22 National Memorials and 16 National Recreation Areas.

The National Park System consists of three basic kinds of areas: natural, historical and recreational. Within these groups, areas are identified by more than 20 types, such as national parks, national parkways and so on. The National Park Service acquires land for new areas through donations, exchanges, purchases or reassignment of federal properties.