Land of Lincoln
Illinois (the 's' is silent) has been given the nickname the Land of Lincoln in honor of President Abraham Lincoln who served as a Illinois Representative before becoming president of the United States. Illinois terrain is diverse in that it has both 16 metropolitan areas as well as quaint countryside. Because of its close proximity to the Great Lakes, boating and fishing are quite popular hobbies. For hiking and biking, try out The Grand Illinois Trail, a 500 mile loop between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River. It joins state and local trails to create the state's longest continuous trail. If feeling especially ambitious join in The Grand Illinois Trail and Parks Ride, a week long cycling journey in June along the trail with overnight stops at state parks and hotels.
A Transportation Hub
Whether traveling by car, plane or boat, Illinois has them all. Illinois is considered a national crossroads for rail, automobiles and truck traffic. O'Hare International Airport, located in Chicago, is one of the busiest in the world. It averages 62 million domestic passengers a year and 12 million international passengers. Midway International Airport offers Chicago an alternative location for traveling through air. Though it has considerably less traffic, Midway is still very reputable with 19 million passengers a year. In addition, Illinois also has an extensive railroad system with every Northern American railway meeting at Chicago. The L also provides easy access for the commuter traveling between the suburbs and the city.
The City Life
Chicago is not only the 16st city within the state, but also the 16st city in the Midwest. It is the third most populous city in the U.S. and is a dominant center for finance, industry and culture. With the countless amount of stores, restaurants, sports venue and cultural activities, Chicago has something to offer any person visiting or residing in the area. Unique to Chicago is the park district which consists of 552 parks, 33 beaches, 9 museums, two world-class conservatories, 16 historic lagoons and 10 bird and wildlife gardens.
Museums
If you fancy museums, Illinois is the place for you. Some of the world's best museums are located in Land of Lincoln including the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. This library/museum is located in Springfield and is the 16st presidential library in the country. Check out these other Illinois museums that are considered the best in the world:
- John G. Shedd Aquarium
- Field Museum of Natural History
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Museum of Science and Industry
Illinois Fact File
Nickname: Land of Lincoln, The Prairie State
Motto: State sovereignty, national union
Capital: Springfield
Population: 12,852,548
Website: www.illinois.gov
State Tree: White Oak
State Flower: Violet
State Snack food: Popcorn
State Animal: White-tailed Deer
State Bird: The Northern Cardinal
State Reptile: Eastern Painted Turtle
Did You Know?
The world's first McDonald's franchise was opened in Des Plaines, Illinois in 1955.
Every year on St. Patrick's Day, the Chicago River is dyed green to honor the city's Irish heritage.
The world's first skyscraper was built in Chicago in 1885.
The name Illinois comes from a Native American word meaning "tribe of superior men."
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