| Chicago: The largest
city of Illinois, in the northeast part of the state on Lake Michigan. It is
a major port and the commercial, financial, industrial, and cultural center
of the Middle West. It is also the third-largest U.S. city. Chicago was
nearly destroyed by a disastrous fire in 1871. Population: 2,783,726.
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Illinois: A state of
the north-central United States. It was admitted as the 21st state in 1818.
The area was explored by the French in the late 1600s, ceded by France to
the British in 1763, and ceded by them to the newly formed United States in
1783. Springfield is the capital and Chicago the largest city. Population:
11,466,682. |