illinois : Named for the Illinois Indians, this state is known as the "Land of Lincoln," because it's where the 16th president was raised. Illinois became the 21st state in 1818. Illinois is the most populous state in the Midwest. At the northern edge of the state on Lake Michigan lies Chicago, the nation's third largest city. More than half of the population lives in and around Chicago, the leading industrial and transportation center in the region. The rest of the population lives in the smaller cities and on the farms that dot the state's gently rolling plains. Chicago, with its central location and its many cultural attractions and sports events, is a major tourist attraction. Sandy beaches, wooded parks, and yacht harbors border most of Chicago's 50-kilometer shoreline along Lake Michigan. |
