Illinois Geography

Illinois is a state located in the Midwestern United States. It is the fifth most populous state in the country with over 12.8 million residents. Illinois is divided into 102 counties and contains more than 7,000 towns and villages. The capital of Illinois is Springfield, which is also the state’s largest city. Other notable cities in Illinois include Chicago, Naperville, and Peoria.

The landscape of Illinois is varied, with prairies, woodlands, and wetlands making up the majority of the state. Illinois is home to the Shawnee National Forest, the largest public forest in the state. The forest is located in southern Illinois and is home to a variety of plants and animals.

The climate in Illinois is typical of the Midwest, with hot summers and cold winters. The state receives an average of 35 inches of precipitation each year.

Illinois is bounded by the Mississippi River to the west and the Great Lakes to the north. With an abundance of rivers, prairies, and forests, the state offers a variety of landscapes. The capital of Illinois is Springfield, and the largest city is Chicago.

Illinois is home to many important historical landmarks, including the site of the first presidential election, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site. The state's diverse population is reflected in its food, art, and culture. From Chicago-styleDeep Dish pizza to the blues and jazz of the city's South Side, Illinois has something for everyone.

It is the sixth most populous U.S. state and 25th largest state in terms of land area. Illinois is often noted as a microcosm of the entire United States. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal, timber, and petroleum in the south, Illinois has a diverse economic profile.

Illinois is divided into three major geographical regions: Chicago and the northeastern counties make up the "Chicagoland" region; central and western counties comprise "Central Illinois"; and southern counties sometimes called "Little Egypt". The Illinois countryside is noted for its small towns and large farmland areas, a consequence of the 19th-century wave of westward migration from the eastern United States. The state is also home to two large metropolitan areas, the Chicago metropolitan area and the Springfield metropolitan area.