Because of its central location, the state of
Illinois is generally considered to be where east meets west in
America. It’s an important transportation hub as it connects the
North American Great Lakes with the Mississippi River via the
Illinois River. The city of Springfield serves as the capital,
while Chicago is the state’s largest. Illinois joined the Union
as the 21st state back in 1818 and it’s grown into the fifth
largest by population with about 13 million residents and is
25th in size. Other well-known centers include Aurora, Joliet,
Naperville, Peoria, and Rockford, The region was inhabited by
Native Americans until European settlers started moving there in
the late 1600s.
The Northeastern section of Illinois borders on
Lake Michigan and the state itself is situated in the Interior
Plains. So although there are quite a few major cities here,
there’s also enough countryside for outdoor enthusiasts to have
a great time. There are over 60 parks in the state as well as
wildlife and recreational areas. Some of the best include Fort
Massac State Park, the Illinois and Michigan Canal National
Heritage Corridor, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail,
the Lincoln Home
National Historic Site, the Mormon Pioneer
National Historic Trail, the American Discovery Trail, and the
Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. The climate in Illinois
varies, depending on how close to Lake Michigan you are.
However, the summers can get quite hot and the winters are
generally mild-to cold, which make outdoor activities pretty
popular.
Illinois is pretty rich in history too and it
can be viewed at the numerous museums. One of the most popular
is The state of the art Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and
Museum, which is located in Springfield. This is the biggest
presidential library in the nation. Others that are worth a
visit include the John G. Shedd Aquarium, the Art Institute of
Chicago, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Field
Museum of Natural History. Music is also taken pretty seriously
as the state hosts the Midwest Clinic, the Illinois Music
Educators Association, and the Southern Illinois Music Festival.
A trip to Chicago will also allow you take in some great blues
and jazz music.
When it comes to sports, there are several major
league teams based in Chicago. These include two baseball clubs
along with a basketball, ice hockey, football, and soccer team.
Chicago is a pretty good center for professional boxing if
you’re a fight fan. There are also quite a few minor league and
collegiate teams to follow throughout the state. Motor racing is
also a hit with the fans and there are quite a few tracks around
to host NASCAR, IRL, and CART races.
Getting around the state to visit various sites
is quite easy as the highway system is top notch. There’s also a
very extensive rail network to get into the state and around it.
You’ll find Chicago has an excellent transit system that
consists of subway and above-ground trains as well as buses. The
main international airports are also located in Chicago with
O’Hare and Midway. O’Hare is one of the busiest in the country
and the world.
You’ll have no problem finding a place to stay
in Illinois as there are all types of accommodations available.
These range from lower-budget motels all the way up to
world-class hotels, especially in Chicago. The restaurants are
just as varied as the hotels and you’ll easily be able to find
dishes from just about anywhere in the world.
Whether you want to visit the world-class,
cosmopolitan city of Chicago or take in the smaller towns,
there’s a lot to see and do in Illinois due to its location,
extensive history, and wonderful outdoors.
About Illinois