Illinois (pronounced: /en-us-Illinois.ogg/ ), the 21st state admitted to the United States of America, is the most populous and demographically diverse Midwestern state and the fifth most populous state in the nation. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and western Illinois, and natural resources like coal, timber, and petroleum in the south, Illinois has a broad economic base. Illinois is an important transportation hub; the Port of Chicago connects the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River via the Illinois River. Illinois is often viewed as a microcosm of the United States; an Associated Press analysis of 21 demographic factors found Illinois the "most average state", while Peoria has long been a proverbial social and cultural bellwether. By 1900, the growth of industrial jobs in the northern cities and coal mining in the central and southern areas attracted immigrants from Eastern and Southern Europe. Its manufacturing made the state a major arsenal in both World wars. The Great Migration of African Americans from the rural South to Chicago formed a large and important community that created the city's famous jazz and blues cultures. (via Wikipedia)
Capital:
Springfield
Population Density Rank:
12
Population Rank:
5
Language:
Other (6.7%)
English (80.8%)
Polish (1.6%)
Spanish (10.9%)
Largest City:
Chicago
Area Rank:
25
Latitude:
36° 58′ N to 42° 30′ N
Longitude:
87° 30′ W to 91° 31′ W
Land Area:
143,968
Time Zone:
Central: UTC-6/-5
Elevation Lowest Point:
85
279
Governor:
Pat Quinn (D)
State Song:
"Illinois"
Highest Point:
Charles Mound
Median Income:
$54,124
Flower:
Violet
Lieutenant Governor:
vacant
Lowest Point:
Mississippi River
Full Name:
State of Illinois
Admittance Date:
Dec 3, 1818
Borders:
Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky
Missouri, Wisconsin
Representatives:
12 Democrats, 7 Republicans
Senators:
Roland Burris (D)
Dick Durbin (D)
Demonym:
Illinoisan
Name:
Illinois
Motto:
State sovereignty, national union
Elevation Highest Point:
1,235
377
Total Area:
140,998
Also Known As:
Land of Lincoln; The Prairie State
Area of Inland Water:
61,030
2,325
Website:
www.illinois.gov
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UPDATE 3-Illinois blocks Anheuser bid for distributor
10 Mar 2010 23:16:24 GMT | Reuters
Illinois has one last chance to prove it's worthy of NCAA bid
9 Mar 2010 06:41:00 GMT | L.A. Times - College Basketball
Illinois figures it must win 1 more to make NCAA tournament
4 Mar 2010 04:55:00 GMT | Chicago Tribune
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