Illinois
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About Illinois
Illinois is located in the Midwest region of the United States. The state has three major geographical divisions: Chicagoland, Central Illinois and Southern Illinois. Chicagoland, a cosmopolitan and densely populated area with the city of Chicago as the focal point. Central Illinois known as the Land of Lincoln, is an area of mostly flat prairie with small towns. Central Illinois is noted for memorials associated with the life of Abraham Lincoln such as the Lincoln Home, the Lincoln Tomb and the Old State Capitol in Springfield. Southern Illinois has a warmer climate but also a more rugged landscape.
Good to know
- Capital: Springfield
- Climate: Continental climate with cold, rather dry winters, warm, humid summers. Heavy snowstorms and severe windstorms can occur including tornadoes and straight line winds
- Timezone: UTC -6
- No. of inhabitants: 12,713,634 (2004)
- Travel alert: EnjoyYourWorld strongly advises you to take necessary precautions for a safe travel. For more info please follow this link
Highlights
- Visit Chicago on the shores of lake Michigan and see the Art Institute, Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Merchandise Mart, Chicago Portage National Historic Site and architectural landmarks such as the Sears Tower and Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House
- Wildlife Prairie State Park and the Emiquon TNC Preserve and National Wildlife Refuge with excellent hiking and biking trails and opportunities for cross country skiing and snowmobiling
- The Illinois & Michigan Canal-the historic towpath trail is a national heritage corridor along the canal that runs through a rural and wooded landscape
Getting Around
- Try some of the Illinois scenic byways that lead through its breathtaking landscapes
- Great River Road taking a path along the Mississippi River
- Historic National Road taking you to archaeological remains at the Cahokia Mounds, a sophisticated Indian civilization
- Historic Route 66-"The Mother Road". Beginning in Chicago, the Illinois section takes you through this "windy city" and further on to rural farmland of southern Illinois.
- Illinois River Road along the Illinois River through river front communities and natural preserves like the Wildlife Prairie State Park and the Emiquon TNC Preserve and National Wildlife Refuge
- The historic Lincoln Highway
- Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route where the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois River join together. Take a chance to take the Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail running parallel to the Mississippi past rocky bluffs and through several historic towns.
- Ohio River Scenic Byway parallel to the Ohio River through a picturesque landscape of forested hills, rocks and waterways, and prehistoric burial mounds of the Hopewell Indians, the Metropolis fort museum and the Ohio River Museum in Marietta telling tales about the Ohio River during the steamboat era.
Travel tips
Innkeeper
Visit the Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor from Joliet to Towanda. Wonderful little trip. A great Illinois week-end getaway. See the web site at: www.il66redcarpetcorridor.org
Posted on 02-06-2007 by Sharon Hansen
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