Illinois
The Prairie State
Climate
Continental, with hot humid summers and cold snowy winters. Average highs are about 85F (29C) in summer and 35F (2C) in winter, with about 38 inches of rain and snow a year.
Main industries
A farming powerhouse for corn, soybeans, and hogs, plus the big city of Chicago with its banks, trains, and factories.
Top places for tourists
Chicago, with its tall skyscrapers, Willis Tower, and the shiny Bean sculpture in Millennium Park, plus the Abraham Lincoln sites in Springfield.
Places of interest
Willis Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the country; Abraham Lincoln's home and tomb in Springfield; and the start of the historic Route 66 in Chicago.
A little history
Illinois became the 21st state in 1818. Chicago grew into a giant railroad and trading hub, and Abraham Lincoln lived and worked here before becoming president.
Fun fact
The world's first skyscraper was built in Chicago, and the ice cream sundae was invented in Illinois.