Guide Note

Illinois is the 25th largest state in the United States. It shares a border with Lake Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, and Iowa. Illinois is the fifth highest populated state. It has 102 counties, and the largest city in the state is Chicago.

Fact Facts

1. Capital: Springfield
2. Governor: Rod Blagojevich (D)
3. Population: 12,831,970 (2006)
4. Admission to Union: December 3, 1818
5. Time zone: Central
6. Major cities: Chicago, Aurora, Rockford, Naperville, Joliet, and Peoria
7. Official state items: Cardinal (bird), Bluegill (fish), Violet (flower), White-tailed Deer (animal), White Oak (tree)
8. Nicknames: "Land of Lincoln," "The Prairie State"

History

Illinois was home to the Iroquois, Potawatomi, Miami, and Sauk tribes.

The French held the first claim on Illinois; explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet claimed it while scouting the territory surrounding the Illinois River. It was then passed to the British in 1763. George Rogers Clark then claimed it for his home state of Virginia, and it was finally admitted to the union on December 3, 1818.

Industry and agriculture

Their soybean production ranks highest in the country. Illinois also boasts high quantities of corn, hogs, cattle, dairy, and wheat.

The production industry mainstays of Illinois are fabricated metal products, and machinery and food manufacturing, plastics, rubber products, transportation equipment, and computer and electronic products. They are the leader in petroleum refining in the midwest.

Geography

Lake Michigan borders the eastern section of the state with Indiana. On the southern border is Kentucky along the Ohio River. Its northern border is Wisconsin, and the western border are the states of Missouri and Iowa along the Mississippi River. Illinois is 390 miles long north and south, and 210 miles long east and west.

Related Pages on Mahalo

United States | Chicago | Chicago Vacation | Chicago Hotels | Chicago Restaurants | Chicago Tours | Chicago Bears | Chicago Bulls | Chicago Sky | Chicago Cubs | Chicago White Sox | University of Illinois | Chicago State University | Mississippi River | 2008 Illinois Primary | Amelia Earhart

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