Illinois, US

About

Illinois is a midwestern state located along the Mississippi River between Indiana and Missouri. Its major metropolitan center is Chicago, on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Some key facts about Illinois:

• Capital: Springfield
• Population: Around 12.7 million (6th most populous state)
• Area: 57,914 square miles
• Nickname: The Prairie State

Northern Illinois is urban and industrial anchored by the Chicago-Joliet-Naperville metropolitan area. Central and Southern Illinois are largely flat prairie lands devoted to agriculture with smaller cities like Peoria, Springfield and Bloomington.

Illinois has a significant transportation network including airports, trains, highways and waterways that support industries like finance, manufacturing, energy, logistics and more. The Port of Chicago links the Midwest to global shipping.

Culturally, Chicago drives music, food, sports and architecture in the state. Illinois offers a blend of midwestern charm and cosmopolitan amenities. The Willis Tower, Navy Pier, Magnificent Mile and Millennium Park highlight Chicago.

Illinois experiences humid summers and cold winters. Outdoor recreation includes Lake Michigan beaches, parks, hiking, boating and urban exploration. Illinois contributes significantly to national politics as a demographic bellwether.

In summary, Illinois offers big city excitement in Chicago alongside rural midwestern heritage. The state’s diversity, central location and economic powerhouse make it a microcosm of America.

Quick Facts about Illinois

Seal of Illinois seal image

Geography

Illinois is located at 40°0'1"N 89°15'1"W (40.0003204, -89.2503681). It has 6 neighbors: Missouri, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Kentucky.

Illinois map

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The largest city of Illinois is Chicago with a population of 2,677,643. Other cities include, Aurora population 196,383, Naperville population 147,986, Rockford population 144,835 and Springfield population 113,671. See all Illinois cities & populated places.

Largest Cities in Illinois (more)

Cities, Towns, Villages, Neighborhoods & Other Populated Places in Illinois.

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People born in Illinois, including writer Wallace Wattles, film writer and director James Edward Grant, designer Gordon Buehrig, .

List

• Louis Diage (set decorator) he was born in 22/07/1905
• Beast (Fictonal comic book character)
• Harold Lasswell (American political scientist) he was born in 13/02/1902
• Tex Williams (American musician (1917-1985)) he was born in 23/08/1917
• Don Marquis (American writer) he was born in 29/07/1878
• Samuel Putnam (American translator and scholar of Romance languages) he was born in 10/10/1892
• Ashton C. Shallenberger (American politician (1862-1938)) he was born in 23/12/1862
• Cynthia Ann Parker (American kidnapped by the Comanches) she was born in 01/01/1827
• Jonatha Brooke (American musician) she was born in 23/01/1964
• Floyd Davis (racing driver) he was born in 05/03/1909
• Mary Alice McWhinnie (American biologist) she was born in 10/08/1922
• Richard Allan (American actor (1923-1999)) he was born in 22/06/1923
• John Miller (American entrepreneur) he was born in 01/01/1872
• Marcia Moretto (Argentinian dancer) she was born in 18/07/1946
• Charles Thias (American tug-of-war competitor) he was born in 15/11/1879
• Raphael Tracey (American soccer player (1904-1975)) he was born in 06/02/1904
• Robby Steinhardt (American musician) he was born in 25/05/1950
• W. Ryerson Johnson (American writer) he was born in 19/10/1901