ENCYCLOPÆDIA Britannica DISCOVER AMERICA Illinois The Prairie State CHICAGO LONDON NEW DELHI PARIS SEOUL SYDNEY TAIPEI TOKYO
4 ILLINOIS Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois has more than 300 miles of hiking and riding trails INTRODUCTION Near the center of the United States lies Illinois a state renowned for its farms and factories as well as the glittering city of Chicago Located in the northeast corner of the state Chicago is the third largest city in the country and a national leader in finance and technology Walking along its busy streets it is difficult to imagine the prairies that covered the land just a few hundred years ago Back then prairies stretched as far as the eye could see earning Illinois its official nickname the Prairie State Additionally however Illinois is often referred to as the Land of Lincoln the state slogan The early pioneers who settled in Illinois built a successful farm-based economy While agriculture remains important in the state Illinois is now home to a wide range of industries From commerce and trade to digital technology and health care Illinois is forging ahead with the pioneer spirit of its founders Residents of Illinois have enjoyed the Ferne Clyffe natural area for many years Illinois is French for Illiniwek the name of the Native Americans who lived in the state before Europeans arrived Kaskaskia and Vandalia were capitals of Illinois before Springfield was chosen Illinois motto is State Sovereignty National Union
INTRODUCTION 5 Three rivers and five states border Illinois The Mississippi River separates Illinois from Iowa and Missouri to the west Southeastern Illinois is separated from Kentucky by the Ohio River The Wabash River forms part of the state’s border with Indiana which lies to the east The far northeastern part of Illinois is bordered by part of Lake Michigan Wisconsin forms the northern border Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport offers direct service to more than 60 destinations worldwide Illinois Location Map Many travelers transfer to international flights at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago The state song is Illinois by Charles H Chamberlin and Archibald Johnston Chicago is known for its grand architecture The world’s first skyscraper was built there in 1885 Chicago’s Sears Tower built in 1973 is one of the tallest buildings in the world It is 110 stories high A daredevil known as Spiderman climbed up the Sears Tower in 1999 He was arrested for trespassing when he reached the top Capital Springfield Interstate highways Scale 25 40 0 0 50 80 Mi Km Population 12,419,293 Size 57,918 square miles Highest peak Charles Mound 1,235 feet
