Where is Illinois?
Illinois is located in the eastern north-central United States. It is bordered by Wisconsin to the North, Lake Michigan and Indiana to the east, Kentucky to the South and southeast and Missouri to the west. The total area of the state is 57,914 square miles, and it has an estimated population of 12,830,632.
How did Illinois get its name?
The name of the state, Illinois, is the modern spelling of “Illiniwek”, a name that was given to the people of this region by the early French missionaries and explorers. Illiniwek has been said to mean “tribe of superior men”, although this etymology is not fully supported. The present name “Illinois” began to appear in the early 1670s.
How big is Illinois?
Illinois is ranked as the 25th largest state of the United States. It covers a total area of 57,914 square miles. It is the fifth most-populated state, and is noted for being a microcosm of the entire country.
What is the capital of Illinois?
Springfield is the capital of Illinois. It covers a total area of 60.3 square miles, with a population of 116,250. It is the sixth most-populated city of the state. It was founded on April 10, 1821.
Which is the largest city of Illinois?
The largest city in the US state of Illinois is Chicago, with an area of 234 square miles. It is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States, and the third most-populous in the country. In 1833, it was incorporated as a town.
Why is Illinois called “The Land of Lincoln”?
The state of Illinois is called “The Land of Lincoln”. Although he was born in Kentucky and lived in Indiana, it was in Illinois where Lincoln began his political career and was eventually elected to four terms in the Illinois general assembly in 1832. This name is the official state slogan of Illinois and was designated in 1955.
What is the official language of Illinois?
The official language of Illinois is English.
What is the religion of Illinois?
The largest religion in Illinois is Christianity, with Roman Catholics constituting the single largest religious denomination. They account for 30% of the state’s population. Chicago and its suburbs also have a small Hindu, Muslim, Bahai and Sikh minority.
Who is the political leader of Illinois?
The structure of Illinois’s government is often regarded as the most complex of all fifty states. It is modeled after the federal government. There are three bodies of the government: executive, legislative and judicial. The executive branch is divided into statewide elected offices. The Illinois general assembly is composed of 118-member Illinois house of representatives, and the 59-member Illinois Senate. Legislative functions are granted to Illinois general assembly. The supreme court of Illinois, Illinois appellate court, and Illinois circuit courts form the judiciary of the state.
Pat Quinn or Patrick Joseph “Pat” Quinn III is the 41st and the current governor of Illinois. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He assumed office on January 29, 2009. Sheila J. Simon is the current lieutenant governor of the state. She is an American politician and educator. She assumed office on January 10, 2011.
When did Illinois achieve statehood?
Illinois achieved statehood on December 3, 1818. It was formed from the Northwest Territory.
What are some of the famous places in Illinois?
The US state of Illinois is rich in history and attracts millions of tourists every year. Some of the famous places in Illinois are: Fort Massac, Montrose Beach, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, Adler Planetarium, Brookfield Zoo and Chaplin Creek Village.
What is the economy of Illinois like?
The economy of Illinois ranks fifth in the nation, in terms of the gross state product of $630 billion. It is home to America’s largest companies, including, Boeing, McDonalds, and Motorola. Major sectors include agriculture, manufacturing and services. Illinois is the largest producer of pumpkins in America, and ranks second in the production of corn. The economy of the state has shifted towards high-value-added services such as financial trading, medicine and tourism. The largest foreign buyers are Japan, South Korea and Mexico.