French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet, in 1673, were the first Europeans of record to visit the region. In 1699 French settlers established the first permanent settlement at Cahokia, near present-day East St. Louis.

Great Britain obtained the region at the end of the French and Indian Wars in 1763. The area figured prominently in frontier struggles during the Revolutionary War and in Indian wars during the early 19th century.

Significant episodes in the state's early history include the growing migration of Eastern settlers following the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825; the Black Hawk War, which virtually ended the Indian troubles in the area; and the rise of Abraham Lincoln from farm laborer to president.

Today, Illinois stands high in manufacturing, coal mining, agriculture, and oil production. The sprawling Chicago district (including a slice of Indiana) is a great iron and steel producer, meat packer, grain exchange, and railroad center. Chicago is also famous as a Great Lakes port.

The state manufactures a great variety of industrial and consumer products: railroad cars, clothing, furniture, tractors, liquor, watches, and farm implements are just some of the items made in its factories and plants.

Illinois ranks third in the nation in the sale of agricultural products, second in corn and soybeans, and fourth in hog production.

Central Illinois is noted for shrines and memorials associated with the life of Abraham Lincoln. In Springfield are the Lincoln Home, the Lincoln Tomb, and the restored Old State Capitol. Other points of interest are the home of Mormon leader Joseph Smith in Nauvoo and, in Chicago: the Art Institute, Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Merchandise Mart, and Chicago Portage National Historic Site.

Nickname: Prairie State

Origin of name: Algonquin for "tribe of superior men"

10 16st cities (2005 est.): Chicago, 2,842,518; Aurora, 168,181; Rockford, 152,916; Naperville, 141,579; Joliet, 136,208; Springfield, 115,668; Peoria, 112,685; Elgin, 98,645; Waukegan, 91,396; Cicero, 82,741

Land area: 55,584 sq mi. (143,963 sq km)

Geographic center: In Logan Co., 28 mi. NE of Springfield

Number of counties: 102

Largest county by population and area: Cook, 5,303,683 (2005); McLean, 1,184 sq mi.

Public use areas: 186 (275,000 ac.), incl. state parks, memorials, forests and conservation areas

Residents: Illinoisan

2005 resident population est.: 12,763,371

2000 resident census population (rank): 12,419,293 (5). Male: 6,080,336 (49.0%); Female: 6,338,957 (51.0%). White: 9,125,471 (73.5%); Black: 1,876,875 (15.1%); American Indian: 31,006 (0.2%); Asian: 423,603 (3.4%); Other race: 722,712 (5.8%); Two or more races: 235,016 (1.9%); Hispanic/Latino: 1,530,262 (12.3%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 73.9; 65 and over: 12.1; median age: 34.7.

Capital: Springfield

State abbreviation/Postal code: Ill./IL

Governor: Rod R. Blagojevich, D (to Jan. 2011)

Lieut. Governor: Patrick Quinn, D (to Jan. 2011)

Senators: Richard J. Durbin, D (to Jan. 2009); Barack Obama, D (to Jan. 2011)

U.S. Representatives: 19

Historical biographies of Congressional members

Atty. General: Lisa Madigan, D (to Jan. 2011)

Secy. of State: Jesse White, D (to Jan. 2011)

Treasurer: Alexander Giannoulias, D (to Jan. 2011)

Organized as territory: Feb. 3, 1809

Entered Union (rank): Dec. 3, 1818 (21)

Present constitution adopted: 1970

Motto: State sovereignty, national union

State symbols: