Illinois, US

About

Illinois is a midwestern state bordering Indiana in the east and the Mississippi River in the west. Nicknamed "the Prairie State," it's marked by farmland, forests, rolling hills and wetlands. Chicago, one of the largest cities in the U.S, is in the northeast on the shores of Lake Michigan. It’s famous for its skyscrapers, such as sleek, 1,451-ft. Willis Tower and the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower. 

The state capital is Springfield, but that doesn't mean you should go there—it has a population of only 116,000 souls! Instead head to Chicago—it's home to more than 2 million people. Outside of the city are plenty of other things to do: visit The John Hancock Center (1,127 ft.), Navy Pier (1 mile long), Museum Campus (three museums), or Millennium Park (an outdoor sculpture garden). If you're looking for some history instead of culture then head south to St Louis (Missouri) where you can take a tour through Gateway Arch National Park or check out one of America's oldest breweries: Anheuser Busch Brewery Museum.

Illinois also boasts a wide array of natural resources including coal deposits in southeastern counties as well as large deposits

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, Markham population 328,966, Aurora population 196,383, Naperville population 147,986 and Rockford population 144,835. 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