Illinois map, USA

Illinois, as a separate state, was incorporated into the United States on December 3, 1818. Now it is one of the most economically developed states in the country. Machine-building, petrochemical, food industries, and agriculture are developed in Illinois. A large number of financial institutions are located here.

The geographical position of the state of Illinois on the map of the USA

The state is named after the Illinois Indian tribe, which lived in these places before the arrival of Europeans. Illinois is also called “Lincoln Land”. The 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama , was previously a Democratic state senator. The state capital is Springfield.

Location map of Illinois in the US.

Illinois on the map is located in the Midwest of the United States. It borders Wisconsin to the north, Lake Michigan to the northeast, Indiana to the east, Kentucky to the southeast, Missouri to the southwest, and Iowa to the northwest. The area of the state is 150,000 km ² (57,915.32 square miles) (25th in the country). The highest point is the Charles Mound hill (height – 376 m).

About 60% of the map of Illinois is occupied by steppes (prairies). The rest is hilly. The state includes part of Lake Michigan. There are over 500 rivers and 950 lakes in Illinois. The largest river is the Illinois. It is connected to Lake Michigan by a shipping channel.

Major cities of Illinois on the map

Springfield is located in central Illinois. Area – 170 km ² (65.64 sq. miles). The population is 116,000 people. Founded in 1821. In 1840 it received the status of a city. Became the capital of Illinois a year earlier. Named after the city of Springfield, Massachusetts. In the 19th century, this city was well developed economically. Springfield is on the banks of the Sangamon River . To the southeast of it lies Lake Springfield.

Chicago is the largest city in the state of Illinois. Area – 606,000 km ² (233,977.91 sq. miles). The population is 2,750,000 people (3rd place in the USA). Founded in 1795. It received city status in 1837. The name comes from the word ” shikaakwa “, which in translation from the language of the local Indians means “garlic” or “wild onion”. Located in the northeast of the state, on the shores of Lake Michigan. The Calumet and Chicago Rivers flow through the city . The distance to Springfield is 290 km (in a straight line). Chicago is home to major stock exchanges and banks. The Chicago Loop business center is second in size only to New York Manhattan (in the USA).

Aurora is the second largest city in Illinois. Area – 102 km ² (39.38 sq. miles). The population is 198,000 people. Founded in 1834. City status received after 11 years. In 1881, street lighting in Aurora was fully electrified (a first in the US). Because of this, it is not yet called the “City of Lights”. It is a suburb of Chicago (located in its southwestern part). The Fox River flows through the city. Aurora is divided into 3 regions:

• West Side;
• East Side;
• Far East Side (Fox Valley).

Rockford is located in northern Illinois, on the banks of the Rock River. Area – 158 km ² (61 sq. miles). Population – 153,000 people (3rd place in the state). Founded in 1834. In 1852 it received the status of a city. Distance to Springfield – 225 km, to Chicago – 50 km. The name of the city comes from the name of the Rock River and from the word ” ford “, which means “ford” (the river in this area has a shallow depth).

Joliet is located in northeastern Illinois. Area – 163 km ² (62.93 sq. miles). The population is 152,800 people. In terms of population growth, Joliet ranks 1st in the state. Founded in 1833. In the same year received the status of the city. Named after French Canadian explorer Louis Joliet . Joliet , in the second half of the 17th century, explored the area on which the city appeared two centuries later. Distance to Springfield – 238 km, to Chicago – 64 km.

Naperville is located in northern Illinois. Area – 92 km ² (35.52 sq. miles). The population is 142,000 people. Founded in 1831. It received city status in 1857. Named after its founder, Joseph Naper . The Dupage River flows through the city . Distance to Springfield – 250 km, to Chicago – 53 km.