 Illinois
Information
Capital
City: Springfield
Economy: Industry, manufacturing and agriculture.
Population: 12,419,293
Time Zone: 6 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-6 GMT).
Daylight Saving Time is observed from the first Sunday in April to the last
Sunday in October
Illinois's Flag:
The Illinois flag is a simple representation of the Great Seal of Illinois
against a white background. In 1969, the General Assembly voted to add the
word "ILLINOIS" under the Great Seal of the flag. The State's
name was added to the flag to ensure that people not familiar with the Great
Seal of Illinois would still recognize the banner.
History of Illinois:
French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet, in 1673, were the first
Europeans of record to visit the region. In 1699 French settlers established
the first permanent settlement at Cahokia, near present-day East St. Louis.
Great Britain obtained the region at the end of the French and Indian Wars
in 1763. The area figured prominently in frontier struggles during the Revolutionary
War and in Indian wars during the early 19th century. Significant episodes
in the state's early history include the growing migration of Eastern settlers
following the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825; the Black Hawk War, which
virtually ended the Indian troubles in the area; and the rise of Abraham
Lincoln from farm laborer to President. Today, Illinois stands high in manufacturing,
coal mining, agriculture, and oil production. The sprawling Chicago district
(including a slice of Indiana) is a great iron and steel producer, meat
packer, grain exchange, and railroad center. Chicago is also famous as a
Great Lakes port. Illinois ranks third in the nation in export of agricultural
products, first in corn and soybeans, and third in hog production. An important
dairy state, Illinois is also a leader in corn, oats, wheat, barley, rye,
truck vegetables, and the nursery products. The state manufactures a great
variety of industrial and consumer products: railroad cars, clothing, furniture,
tractors, liquor, watches, and farm implements are just some of the items
made in its factories and plants. Central Illinois is noted for shrines
and memorials associated with the life of Abraham Lincoln. In Springfield
are the Lincoln Home, the Lincoln Tomb, and the restored Old State Capitol.
Other points of interest are the home of Mormon leader Joseph Smith in Nauvoo
and, in Chicago: the Art Institute, Field Museum, Museum of Science and
Industry, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Merchandise Mart, and Chicago
Portage National Historic Site. Copyright © Information Please, a Division
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Other Illinois Links:
Illinois Bureau of Tourism
Illinois Chamber of Commerce
Township Officials of Illinois
Illinois State Board of Education
Illinois Municipal League |
