How Many Bible Literalists Are There Out There?

During my brief time with Fluther, I’ve noticed comments made by Christians include statements such as “the Bible is full of stories, not to be taken literally, just models for us to follow, or that teach a certain truth” or “the stories/prophecies/teachings are merely metaphorical, and not actual.”
I’m sure that I’m not the only one who takes the Bible literally; that there are others who believe that prophecy is to be taken literally, not allegorically; that such people like Adam, and Eve; Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jonah, Jesus of Nazareth actually existed. I respect all views as the right of the adherant to believe as they will, but I’m of a far narrower (and probably far less common) view of taking the Bible literally.
And WHY do you take the Bible literally?